ella

night air, I told Bianca I needed a momen

a mahogany side table sat an empty bourbon bottle, likely left behind by one of the night guards. I wrapped my h

al precision, selecting a jagged, triangular shard of glass. It was heavy and lethal. I slid it

dling in the dark. Its exhaust plumed like dragon's breath in the biting wind, and

or, her face pale but her eyes glea

ufactured relief. "We must hurry. Lady Rosalie sent word that the main

s we should wait until dawn, Francesca," I murmured, fei

river's seat. "The secluded canyon road is much safer at night. We

had used in my past life. The sc

esca took the rear-facing jump seat opposite us. The heavy doors slammed shut, sealing us inside a vault of black leather and tinted glass. T

d was the rhythmic thud of the tires against the uneven

face, watching the way she obse

, my voice barely rising a

ion to me, forcing a t

nd vulnerable. "Do you remember that lullaby she used to sing to

al question. She hesitated for a fraction of a second before

endearment she had never once uttered in her life. "Sh

e despised the ocean, and she cert

up until the moment she delivered me to the slaughter. The absolute confirmatio

. Beneath the heavy wool of my coat, my fingers curled inward,