Ruelle felt her stomach drop at the sight before her.
The guards entered first, their eyes sweeping across the church until one of them spotted her and shouted, "Miss Belmont is here!"
Her eyes widened as more than ten guards entered and right behind them came her father. But he wasn't alone. Lord Azriel was there, Elder Minister Carnifex beside him, along with a local officer whose expression looked far too tired for this hour.
Before she could think of what to say, her father walked straight past the guards and pulled her into his arms. His hold tightened around her so hard it nearly suffocated her.
"Why are you here, Ruelle?" her father demanded, his voice low near her ear which carried irritation hidden beneath concern. When she tried to push him away, his arms loosened reluctantly.
