The Guest House was quiet, save for the sound of rain. Victoria sat on the floor, holding the photo of Leo that William had given her during the garden meeting.
Marcus Thorne stood in the kitchen doorway, watching her. He was the “Protector,” fighting to keep her safe from a past she didn’t know. But as he watched, Victoria began to sway slightly.
A sound drifted through the room. She was humming.
It wasn’t a pop song. It wasn’t one of “Elena’s” arias. It was a simple, repetitive melody–a lullaby.
Marcus froze. He recognized the tune. It was the “Special Tune” William used to hum to Leo.
“Elena?” Marcus asked, his voice tight with dread. “What are you humming?”
Victoria stopped, blinking as if waking from a trance. She touched her throat, looking confused. “I don’t know,” she whispered, staring at the photo of the boy. “I just… I felt like he needed to hear it.”
Marcus realized with a sinking heart that the amnesia was cracking.