"Where is Ethan?" Seth Vernal asked lightly.
Lightly—yet the entire Blood Tavern trembled as if the question carried a blade's edge.
"Ethan…"
Everyone present stiffened.
Nine years had passed since Ethan, Zeon, and Magnus left the tavern with the Blood Marquis. Since then, not a whisper of their presence remained in the world. No return. No message. No trace.
It was as though the four had stepped into an abyss and vanished.
The only one who might know their whereabouts was Uga. Even Rain, Asher's own sister, knew nothing of where her brother had taken Ethan.
Rain's expression remained calm as she faced the two intruders.
"I don't know where you two are from," she said quietly, "but why are you looking for Ethan in our tavern?"
Seth Vernal's face instantly darkened.
"I ask you where Ethan is, and you just answer me where Ethan is. Why do you speak so much nonsense?"
His cold gaze swept over Rain with disdain.
"Who do you think you are?"
He sneered.
