Chapter 8 - The Shield
Before the guards could grab Elena, a massive, low snarl rattled through the room.
Titan sprang to his feet, placing his huge front paws right between Elena and the incoming guards, barking fiercely with a terrifying boom that shook the framed paintings on the walls.
The guards scrambled back in absolute shock.
"Titan! Down!" Dante yelled, trying to assert authority.
Titan ignored Dante completely. He turned, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with little Sophia, and bared his teeth at Dante.
From the armchair, Adrian raised his hand, his voice cold, commanding, and absolute. "Stop."
The room froze. The guards backed away.
Adrian stood up slowly, adjusting his black fedora and smoothing down his dark suit jacket. Though his breath was still heavy, his presence commanded the entire room. He looked at Titan, then at Sophia, who was holding her mother's hand.
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"The dog doesn't protect traitors," Adrian said quietly, his dark eyes piercing right through Dante. "Titan knows everyone in this house. He knows who belongs... and who brings poison."
👉 What subtle clue had Sophia seen on Dante's jacket earlier that evening?
