I CAME BACK FOR BLOOD

hina'

tempo

ord that stopp

por

, light and careless, like it didn't have the power to br

side trembled, tiny ripples forming on the surface as my hands shook. The Ashford mansion was quiet, too quie

por

it might give me away. I told myself I must have misunderstood. Maybe

down, I k

ges. Margaret Ashford always spoke like that-every word polished, every tone

Margaret said calmly. "We all

n's aunt. She always smelled of lavender and guilt, always smiled

lowering her voice, "sh

llowe

pregnant,"

ll ours. My baby. Julian's baby. The secret that lived inside me, g

laughed

ncy doesn't make her permane

y chest

"No name. No connections. No strength. She was useful when Julian n

roat

g here," Margaret fini

harder the

back, my heel brushi

Julian married h

ret snapped. "And when this stops benefit

ound the teacup until t

stand the

d the d

turned to

measuring my worth and coming up disappointed. She sat perfectly straight on the cream sofa, pear

ned. She looked em

maller than I wanted it

cked to the cup, th

for tea," sh

et to move forward. I placed the cup gently on the glass

an eyebrow. "You

e you two," she said, already heading fo

ok back at me

oor c

t followed was

st the sofa, crossing her

't a qu

drop," I said quickly.

d. "There's no point pretending

I couldn't tell if it was f

, gathering what little courag

, thin and humo

ord a

shaking despite my effort to stay

ead, studying me like

said firm

ly, Seraphina. Strength does. And heirs?" Her eyes dr

eath

ruel," I

. "Cruelty keeps

there. Smaller than

ld go,"

agreed. "

before she could

d cold marble floors. Faces of Ashford ancestors stared down at me from gilded f

por

llowed me u

buzzed in

li

fted despit

I said

said. His voice sounded dis

" I replied.

ound t

lied. "Just a

t," he said. "I'l

ka

all e

long moment before slippi

. The room was spotless, untouched, like a hotel suite

I whispered

formed low i

t's probably nothing,"

he sha

izziness washed over me. My vision bl

hispered.

st and sudden, c

to tak

es gav

apse i