Lilith turned her head...slow, careful, every movement requiring conscious effort, and saw them.
Nicholas standing near the window with his arms crossed and his expression carved from stone. Sebastian sitting in the chair beside the bed with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. Lucian pacing near the door like a caged wolf.
And Victoria standing at the foot of the bed looking exhausted and desperate and older than Lilith had ever seen her.
There was someone else too.
A woman Lilith did not recognize sitting in the corner of the room with perfect posture and an air of quiet confidence. Dark hair. Green robes embroidered with symbols that looked ancient. Eyes that glowed faintly with power even in the daylight.
The woman noticed Lilith looking at her and smiled.
"Welcome back," she said gently.
Every head in the room snapped toward Lilith.
