clamped over his puls

ct. The physical hallway of the Ritz-Carlton dissolved into a void of nothingness. Eloise's v

a man hollowed out by alcohol and meaningless se

explosion of gold and purple

This wasn't just a strong life force. This was a Sovereign Aura. It was the mark of an ancient covenant, a soul chosen by fate to rule

s if his skin were made of boiling iron. She stumbled backward, her injured

ly tensed. He stepped forward, his massi

an octave, losing all its lazy amus

er face to hide her eyes. Her retinas were still burning with

ch Callahan was a predator hiding in a petting zoo. This aura... the power game in Washington was far more complex than it appeared on the

ctor?" Arch asked, his hand hov

down into the core of her chest, locking it away. She took a sharp br

ears. "No," she whispered, letting her voice tremble perfectly

avy thud of footsteps echoed from

ois

r. He was marching down the hall, flanked

eathing turned shallow. The physical r

to the approaching men. He didn't ask

ise, hiding her in the shadow of his body. He slipped his

ound Arch's chest. "Callahan. Excuse me. That woman is Elo

t playboy mask slammed back into place

aristocratic boredom. "Funny. She didn't mention

djusted his cuffs, his knuckles turning whit

ame. Can't even keep a woman entertained for one evening without her running off to find better compan

ave the generational political armor to start a fistfight with a Callahan in the middle of the R

or support, ignoring the stabbing pain in her ankle, and limped

night air hit her face, shockin

k alley behind the hotel. A black SUV was idling

an gasped, taking in the torn dress and bare feet. She ripped off her own

t of the SUV. Siobhan slammed the door,

" Elois

t and threw the car into gear. "Are

nd. The Washington elite were playing a deadly game, and if she went back to her family's house tonight,

urning to absolute ice. "Take