air. She released Justus's arm and walked towar

ter, immediately detached herse

of the party was instantly muted. The cold Manhattan night wind

hind her. Her voice was thi

ed mask she had worn all night dissolved into the chilling wind

ne tiles. "You think you can play the victim in front of Justus W

Candi. Her eyes were completely dead, lookin

lt. Candi's face twisted in rage. She pulled her arm back, her h

caught the moonlight. If that hit conne

. Her brain's tactical analysis kicked in, proces

her weight. She pivoted her torso a mere t

t like a viper. She clamped her fingers around Candi's wrist like a

hrew up her hands. She delivered a desperate, clumsy shove that sent

d in a chaotic, uncontrolled arc. She slammed heavily onto

kable sound of a bone snapping echoed in the cold air. Candi curled into a

g hadn't even elevated. The hem of her velv

win and several guests, rushed onto the terrace. The

dropping to her knees. But her eyes shot

eyes widened in horror. She forced her shoulders to shak

er voice cracking with fake panic. "I just... I ju

ting a shaking finger at Corinne.

arted from Candi's twisted wrist to Corinne's trem

ars streaming down her face. "Corwin

d over and stood directly in front of Corinne, shieldi

inted toward the upper corner of the terrace wall. "I'm sure the sec

on the dome camera blink

ened, but no sound came out. She knew Candi h

arding Corinne. His jaw locked. His eyes were pitch

She met Corwin's gaze. For one split second, the fear va

night," Justus announced loudly. "This crowd i

st and guided her toward the doors. He left the

ped the trembling act entirely. A cold, satisfied smile