Chapter 30 – Blood On The Porch

• The vineyard wind had just begun to shift when Alina felt it—a crackle in the air, as if the earth itself held its breath. Luciano had released her hand only for a moment, turning toward the cellar entrance. She should have followed, should have stayed within the illusion of peace he offered—but her eyes were drawn upward.
• Somewhere, out in the distance beyond the hills, something watched.
• By the time they returned to the estate, the light had dulled. Not quite dusk, but no longer day. The gates stood open. That was the first wrong thing.