Hadassah felt her father stiffen and thought dimly that this was the exact posture statues took right before wars started. Lord Colton exhaled slowly the way people did when counting to ten had failed them years ago.“You are here because you enjoy being where you are not wanted,” he said evenly. “It has always been your most consistent talent.”

Acheron laughed softly and clapped once more, clearly delighted with himself. “Oh brother you wound me. I simply follow opportunities. Doors open. Guards look the other way. Contracts get rewritten.” He glanced at Hadassah and Eleazar with open curiosity. “Family reunions are so much more interesting when no one knows who owns the house.”

Eleazar stepped forward and immediately regretted it because Acheron’s eyes sharpened like he had just found a favorite knife. “You must be the heir,” Acheron said. “Or the spare. Hard to tell with noble families. They do love redundancy.”

Lord Colton moved then placing himself squarely between his children and the intruder. “You have always mistaken access for power,” he said. “Enjoy your illusion while it lasts.”

Acheron’s smile widened and for the first time Hadassah felt something cold settle in her chest. “Oh Colton,” he replied softly. “Illusions are for amateurs. I brought proof.”