phin

eathed, her voic

oaked reality of the world she was trying to claim. Linette stepped closer, her maids keep

Don betraying The Commission... that kind of stain follows the bloodline forever." She leaned in sli

vaporated, incinerated by a su

t in the freezing courtyard. Linette stumbled back with a gasp, but I didn't let her retreat. I lunged, my fin

leaning in until my face was inches from her terrified, wide eyes

as his Underboss. They died for honor. If you ever taint their names with y

onto the snow, coughing and clutching her thro

enaline spike vanished as quickly as it had come, leaving my limbs feeling like

r the howling wind un

e icy stone path. The unfenced edge of the ornamental lake rushed up to meet me. Instinct, honed by years of survival,

in, sick-gray ice together. It shattered instantly with a dea

ke a punch to the chest. I thrashed, my heavy, numb limbs fighting to break

help! Miss Vance

n this gilded cage, my life was wor

ment on the shore caught my eye. Julian. He sprinted to the edge, shedding hi

pe flared in my chest. I reached ou

c in his gaze. No desperation. Only a cold, calculating absolute. He looked right through me, turned his back, and swam power

eft

t of the lake, a chilling realization pierced through my fading consciousness. This wasn't just a tantrum from a jealous

the water, letting the dark abyss swallow me, but the fire in my veins refused to die. I would not le