Bound by fire, Claimed by love

 Shadows of the Past

Evelyn's fingers curled around the edge of the table as she stared at the map, her mind racing. The thought that House Ravenshire's downfall had been orchestrated sent a cold shiver through her.

She swallowed hard. "Do you have proof?"

Damian didn't answer immediately. Instead, he reached for a book resting near the edge of the table—a leather-bound tome, its cover worn and edges frayed.

He flipped it open, revealing pages filled with handwritten notes and symbols she didn't recognize.

"This ledger belonged to my grandfather," he said. "It records alliances, debts, and betrayals that shaped the empire."

Evelyn leaned in, scanning the text. Some names were crossed out, others circled.

Then she saw it.

RAVENSHIRE.

Her breath hitched. Next to the name, a single word was scrawled in bold ink: erased.

She looked up at Damian, her heart pounding. "What does this mean?"

His jaw tightened. "That's what I don't know yet. But someone wanted your family gone—not just weakened. Erased."

Evelyn clenched her fists. "And yet, my father never spoke of this."

"Because he may not know," Damian said carefully. "Or because speaking of it could be dangerous."

The weight of his words pressed down on her. If this was true… then someone, somewhere, still held the strings to House Ravenshire's fate.

And they might not be finished yet.

A sudden noise—soft, almost imperceptible—echoed from the corridor behind them.

Evelyn turned sharply, her breath catching.

"Did you hear that?" she whispered.

Damian's expression darkened. He reached for the dagger strapped to his side.

They were not alone.