Thorne

small writing desk, a fresh sheet of parchment laid out before me. The ink was specia

My hand was steady

, Luna of the Bl

k.* It wasn't who I was anymore. It was a costume I wore, a role

ara Th

name. All that I had le

ct you, Ryker Blac

ul. This wasn't just ink on a page; it was the formal declaration o

red and placed the note on the nightstand on his side. The old laws were clear: a formal rejection r

had once believed him to be. If he came, if he saw it, if he asked... then

ening to the silence of the house, w

is voice in the hallway, followed by Faye's light, musical laught

ld. I had given him his chance. He had walked right past it. I took the parchmen

for Cora's weekly check-up. Sabina was Lena's creature, a

una," she said, her tone condescending, "I've told you. Miss Cora's condition is congenital

nics do nothing," I said, my voice flat. "She's been more lethargic since s

rows shot up. "You can't fire m

my voice unwavering. "When it comes t

before turning on her heel and storming o

n't ta

irst time he had set foot in this room in days. His eyes, burning with anger, were fixed on me. He

ded. "You fired Sabina? What ga

ground. "She is not helping my daughter, so I

mission!" he roared. "Sabina is the

d ailments," I retorted, my own anger beginnin

he sat up in bed, her eyes wid

ssolving into concern as I went to my daughter,

his frustration. "Look what you've done," he sna

d of all emotion but a grim resolve. "If you are here to fight

half-step forward, his hands clenched into fists, but Cora's frightened sobs s

e door, yanking it open. "You are goi

hter, rocking her gently, my body trembling slightly not

g. I wouldn

ve to find a way