Chapter 168: Blood and Vengeance

ANDY   I thanked the woman and made my way across the city to the Blackwood estate, my anxiety growing with every step. The massive house sat behind elegant iron gates, its pristine exterior speaking of wealth and power that Sophia had always coveted.   I circled the property carefully, using minor magical enhancements to my senses to detect any signs of life inside. What I found was concerning: only the magical signatures of the human servants, no trace of the supernatural energy that should have surrounded a werewolf pack leader and his family.   A young maid was tending to the garden near the front gate, and I approached her with the same innocent demeanor I'd used on the neighbor.   "I'm sorry to bother you," I said sweetly, "but I'm looking for Sophia Kingston. I'm her cousin from out of town, and I wanted to surprise her with a visit."   The maid looked up with a polite smile. "Oh, I'm sorry, miss. Ms. Sophia isn't here right now. She left about a week ago for a travel trip. Didn