a

ive, I took the card and made my way to the Familia'

eel. I walked into the massive, cavernous lobby, feeling

lculating man who flicked his eyes at the black-and-gold c

ne, sliding a grey, shapeless uniform across the gleaming desk. "You have b

k the uniform. I had no choice. The syndicate collecto

ng cleaner's uniform, I pushed a heavy suppl

rs chimed and slid open. D

eyes widening in mock surprise before a

ing over me as if I were something to be scrape

t me as if I were nothing more than a

e stated coldly, his voice flat and devoid of

pped the handle of the plastic cart so tig

te ordered, moving past m

side was heavy with the scent of cigar ash and expensive leather conditioni

ng from a tall flute of champagne. Dante sat behind his massive desk, his d

. Every scrape of my brush against the marble floor felt like a small, fresh wound opening

ere," Serena pointed lazily

heek, I moved over and sc

job," Dante remarked coldly, turning a crisp page

p my heavy bucket, and walk

d shut behind me, my silent endurance finally

ell over me, and Serena stepped out into the

ke a blade. And I knew, with absolute certainty, that she