Chapter 4

Suddenly, a piercing snap rang out from the blazing fire, as if a supporting beam had finally reached its breaking point.

"The west wing, the main beam just collapsed!" someone shrieked.

"No!" Bernice cried out, her voice full of despair, as she tried to rush forward, only to be desperately restrained by the servants.

A collective dread gripped everyone present.

From the very heart of the conflagration came another sound, piercing, guttural shrieks that barely sounded human. A man's voice, distorted by unbearable pain and utter despair.

It was Edward.

I knew him far too well, every part of him,…