The journey had been long. Too long. Sarah tightened her fingers around the handle of her suitcase, casting a worried glance at Emily. They had finally arrived in Sept-Tours, as Matthew had asked them to. As long as he was trapped in the past with Diana, they would be under the protection of the de Clermonts.

The hall of the castle was immense, bathed in a soft light that further accentuated the imposing aura of Ysabeau de Clermont. Sitting in a high-backed armchair, the matriarch of the de Clermonts watched them like a predator sizing up its prey. Beside her, Martha stood straight, impassive, and not far from her, a young woman with piercing eyes. The daughter of the first Sarah Bishop. A Tribrid, the only one of her kind, raised under the protection of Ysabeau herself.

Sarah felt her heart clench. She shouldn’t have recognized her. Not like this, not with this much certainty. And yet… she knew it. Because she had seen her before. Because she had held her in her arms, long ago, in another life.

She swallowed the thought and remained silent. No one was to know. Not Ysabeau. Not the Tribrid. Not even Emily.

Finally, Ysabeau bowed her head slightly before speaking, her velvety voice cutting through the air like a sharp blade.

“Welcome to Sept-Tours. You are safe here… as safe as our world allows.”

Sarah felt Emily stiffen beside her. They both knew that Ysabeau’s hospitality was never given lightly.

“But make no mistake.” Ysabeau paused, letting her words weigh on them. “I do not give trust or hospitality lightly. Let us see if you are worthy of either.”

Ysabeau's piercing gaze fell on her, insistent, scrutinizing. Sarah held her breath for a fraction of a second, before looking away. She couldn't let anything show.

This secret had to stay buried.