Chapter 9 - The Gathering Storm
Adrian stood up slowly, keeping one arm firmly around Chloe’s waist to support her. The fear in her eyes had not entirely vanished, replaced now by a cold, resolute spark that mirrored his own. She reached up with a trembling hand and closed the gold locket, hiding her mother’s face against her chest once more.
"Can you walk?" Adrian asked softly, his voice steadying into the commanding timber of a man born to rule empires.
May you like
Chloe nodded, wiping a final tear from her flushed cheek. "I can."
"Good." Adrian turned his head toward the shadowy periphery of the ballroom, where his chief of security stood frozen by the doorway. With a single, sharp nod of his head, Adrian summoned him forward. "Clear the east wing. Lock every exit. Nobody leaves this building until I have a full accounting of every staff member registered tonight."
