Rat shot to his feet. " Is that true? How the hell do you know that?!"
"I just do," Ian said flatly. "Trust me."
Rat's face darkened. "This is… problematic."
---
Back within the high stone walls of House Elarin, the fire in the hearth crackled softly, it made long shadows across the study's darkwood furnishings.
Eli stood by the map-strewn table, arms folded tightly across his chest, the flamelight etching sharp lines across his face.
"The Redwater Gang's preparing to make a move on Blackrat," he said, voice clipped, irritation threaded through every word. "They caught wind of the winnings. And they're not the kind to ignore millions in coin."
Velrosa stood before her high-backed chair, framed by shelves of ancient tomes and alchemical glass. Her silver hair cascaded like a river of moonlight down her back, the strands catching the flickering firelight.
She wore a deep violet robe threaded with golden embroidery.
