AS though he had been stung by his words, Nathan stood rooted to the spot, staring at Oswald as if he had just spoken in an alien language.

Did he just hear correctly? Oswald was ordering Carlson's release?

Carlson Jacobi, the man who had tried to kill him? The very man Oswald had sworn to make suffer for eternity?

Nathan's lips parted, but no words came out. This wasn't just surprising, it was unbelievable.

In all his years working under Oswald, he had never, not once, seen him release someone from his clutches.

Prisoners of The House never walked free. Ever. Oswald's punishments were absolute, his vengeance ironclad.

So why...