The sound of my footsteps echoes through the dimly lit dungeon as I stride purposefully toward the center of the room. The air is thick with the coppery scent of blood and the weight of impending violence. I’ve just returned from saying goodbye to Amelia, who wasn’t thrilled about staying with Ava but understood the necessity better than my aunt did. My plan is to quickly finish my business here and retrieve her later.

As I approach the center of the room, I find Lord Easterlin and a guard standing a few feet away from a man suspended from the ceiling. His body is a canvas of bruises and blood,...