Hidden Summons

Author’s POV

The heavy parchment hit the stone with a soft, damning thud.

Slade’s outstretched hand froze in midair. The brief moment of hard-earned respect that had just settled between them evaporated instantly. It was replaced by a sharp, cutting tension as his gaze dropped to the sealed envelope resting inches from her boots.

"What the hell is that?" he demanded. The quiet understanding in