ADRIAN'S P.O.V.
I froze mid-step, Leonard's words ricocheting through my mind like a curse. Margaret. That name was a specter, a memory I had buried centuries ago, clawing its way to the surface. My heart, long since dead and silent, sank with the weight of something I hadn't felt in centuries—dread.
"Leonard," I said, my voice calm, yet laced with an undercurrent of something that made even Lucian stop his casual stride. "Say that again."
Leonard, finally noticing the tension, straightened. He scratched the back of his neck and repeated cautiously, "I ran into Margaret. She was... happy to hear you're back in the valley. She even thanked me for letting her know."
"Thanked you," I echoed, the calmness in my tone more dangerous than any shout.
Leonard nodded. "Yeah, seemed thrilled. Smiled a lot. You know, big Margaret energy."
