Behind the doors to Ruben’s quarters, Celeste stood near the marble fireplace, her hands shaking so violently she had to lace her fingers together to hide it.

Her usual regal composure had completely vanished, replaced by an edge of frantic, rising panic. She looked at the blood on Ruben’s hands, figurative and literal, and felt a cold knot tighten in her chest. She had lost her house, her title, and her standing in the fire, but watching Ruben operate made her realize just how deep the water truly was.

"Tina? You mean Selina's friend?" Celeste asked, sounding as though she could not believe what had just come out of Ruben's...