Bound by fire, Claimed by love

Evelyn's breath hitched.

The street was too quiet.

The shadow outside her carriage shifted, deliberate and unhurried. Someone was there. Watching. Waiting.

She reached for the small dagger hidden beneath the folds of her gown. It wasn't much, but it was better than nothing.

The door creaked open.

Her pulse pounded as a figure stepped into the dim light filtering through the carriage windows.

Not Alistair.

Not Damian.

But someone she hadn't expected.

A hooded man, dressed in dark clothing, his face partially concealed by shadows.

Evelyn gripped the hilt of her dagger tightly. "Who are you?" she demanded, forcing her voice to remain steady.

The man didn't answer immediately. Instead, he stepped inside, the carriage door closing behind him with a soft click.

"Lady Evelyn Ravenshire," he finally spoke, his voice calm, measured. "I mean no harm."

She didn't lower her dagger. "Then why are you here?"

A pause.

"To warn you."

Evelyn narrowed her eyes. "Warn me?"

The man leaned forward slightly, just enough for the faint moonlight to reveal the lower half of his face—sharp jawline, a hint of a scar near his chin.

"House Ravenshire did not fall by chance," he said, voice barely above a whisper. "And if you continue to dig where you shouldn't, you may share the same fate."

A chill ran down Evelyn's spine.

This wasn't just about Alistair anymore.

Something bigger was at play.

Something she had unknowingly stepped into.

She tightened her grip on the dagger. "And who exactly am I supposed to stay away from?"

The man exhaled softly, as if debating whether to answer. Then, after a moment—

"Those closest to you."

Before she could react, the carriage door swung open again, the cold night air rushing in. The man slipped out, disappearing into the shadows before Evelyn could so much as move.

The only sign he had ever been there was the lingering echo of his warning.

Those closest to you.

Evelyn's hands trembled.

Had she been looking in the wrong direction this whole time?