The Midnight Amendment
Julian climbs onto the silk duvet and presses a biometric scanner against Elena's palm while she is still half-asleep. His small fingers wrap tightly around her wrist, pinning her hand to the mattress with a strength that defies his age. Alistair stands by the door, averting his eyes as the boy leans down to inhale the scent of his mother’s hair. "The law of the son is dead, Elena; from tonight, you are the ward of your future husband," Julian says as the device glows green.