I locked the d

the call. It rang only on

he background was noisy, as if he w

ep breath. "Ian wants

ith a cold laugh. "I've already tak

then said, "Leland, t

o

deal with a f

e for so long, my gaze landing on the pi

designer bags and jewelr

Leland sounded confused. "If you

not th

-black night beyond the w

pporting victims of domestic abuse. I don't want to owe him a

r end for a few seconds. Lela

ties with my past cle

f it," he said at last, hi

ip on the phone. "I need

'll get

ng supplies. You'll find it in the storage room next to the second-floor banquet hall. The m

vier, as if he were fo

ure you want to go

mma's birthday banquet. I want to give myself a prop

ce filled

nd water don't discriminate. If things s

e after a long pause, his

o crazy, I'll back you. My people will be waiting outs

rled, "I'll make sure the Wad

as my eyes burned. "I'l

d packing, though there wa

e ever belo

an had bought me and changed into th

color of blood. T

anity and looked at

lips, sharply winged eyeliner. I

t began, Ian push

nk rose, Jemma's favorite, pinned to his chest

up behind me, frowning slightly

mma is wearing pink tonight.

ings go

ightly crooked tie with my left hand, m

rds off evi

, then laughed. Confide

e surgery for your mother," he said, grabbing my hand and

t's live properly. Forge

said with a smile, though the

ainst the pulse at his n

nd warm blood woul

That would be t

l apart at the heig

said su

mm

believe

all of a sudden? I only beli

do

smile widening, sweet,

ft for you and Jemma. A gif

, sensing something

as too a

roken, certain I could

e said. "I'l

ed away, the smile va

a cold that sank d

or it,

ld be your f