lara was leaving the world of the living and entering a kingdom of shadows. The limousine purred up the windi

led the back of the car, a suffocating weight that made the plush leather feel like a cage. He was scrolling through

ox on her lap. She hadn't put it on in the room-she couldn't bring herself to do it-

sprawling gothic manor. It wasn't a home;

, but it carried the absolute expectati

hand firm on the small of her back. The heat of his palm through her thin silk dress felt like a

and a chandelier that looked like a cluster of falling stars. Standing in a perf

"She is the new addition to the household. She is to be given anything she needs to remain... health

they chimed in a haun

s gaze dropping to the box in he

but of a white-hot rage that was starting to b

forcing her head back. "In this house, Elara, names are a privilege. Dignity is an e

lar and brought it to her throat. Elara tried to pull away, but his other hand snaked aroun

ethal silk. "I want to see how the diamonds look against your skin.

c clasp echoed in the si

was cold, biting into her skin, reminding her with ev

ke hunger. He leaned down, his lips ghosting over her forehead, a gesture that was more possessive th

cluded. The walls here were lined with heavy velvet curtains, muffling

in black silk, and the far wall was entirely glass, overlooking a sheer drop into

ep here. You will eat here. And when I ring this bell from my study, you have exa

," she breathed,

k to her, stopping so close she could smell the dark spice of his cologne. He reached o

otion. "He sold you to settle a debt. I simply bought the most beautiful

her head, un

end of the long drive. "I want you to watch them every night. I want you to see exactly how far away

door, pausing with h

uest arriving for a late supper, and I expect my pet

Elara heard the unmistakable sound

was

n't a dress at all; it was a slip of sheer, crimson lace that left

llar at her throat, the diamonds digging into her palms. She wanted to scream, to break

below was a churning abyss, much like her future. She loo

was trying to dismantle her soul, piece by piece, until there

n the glass. I will find the crack in your armor,

ss, the fabric feeling like a second skin of shame. As she tied the sil

ing-a sad, haunting melody that s

ong... her mother

d Juli

Julian's voice came through th

guest is here. And he's s

or as it clicked open, her mind racing. Som

ck down to the grand dining room, where the table was set for three. Julian was a

man with silver hair and a face

, her hand flying to t

eyes wide with fear. "I did what you asked, Blackw

Elara, his gaze raking over her in the crimson lace,

whisper. "Does it hurt to see your only daughter wearing a pr

his eyes was eclipsed by something much worse: relief

, gesturing to the empty chair between them. "Sit, Elara. Your father an

locked on her father. "How could you? You told me it was j

ather whimpered, refusing to meet her gaze. "Julian

finally breaking through her shock. "You

been wired. You have one hour to leave the country. If I ever see you on this conti

et, not even glancing at Elara

Elara cried, s

," Julian

Julian was there. He moved with the speed of a strike, his arm barring her path. He

re finally breaking into raw, jagged emotion. "He never

itting his chest, her tears finally spil

stone wall. His face was inches from hers, his breath ragged. The inten

ourself with it. Use it to survive.

For a moment, the world stopped. The anger, the betrayal, the s

door slammed shut.

ing back into place. He released her wri

is voice flat. "Tomorrow, you

t him, her c

at was just to remind you that I know everything about you.

the table, picking up his win

lvet-lined halls, and slammed her bedroom door. She th

high over the ocean, her tears dried. Sh

y showing her her father's betrayal. But he had actually

ked up the bell. She looked at it fo

ht flickered from un

Inside, hidden behind the rows of expensive clothes Jul

or was sli

e, handwritten not

ys knows where the keys are hidden. Look un

t thundered.

a loud, piercing ring

ulian was c

he clock. She h

she went to him now, she was his pet. If she

, longer and more i

ingers grazing the magn

e mi