ra

essed in the clothes I'd arrived in-simple black trousers and a white

dustries. The building pierced the sky, a monument to Caspian's power and influence. A place I

followed by a flicker of disdain, crossed her face before she settled on a professi

. Not directly. "I'm here to see Hayden Chandler. Tell h

t. She blinked, then nodded, her

ed a public space, neutral ground. I chose a small table at

ppened again. The world tilted, and a voice slamm

er! She's waiting for me downs

was here. In the building.

oing directly in my skull. "Calm down, Hayden. What could sh

searching for the top-floor corner office. His office. I felt a phantom

for her mother, Alpha. The sanctuary is asking for the next quarter's pa

me now. The physician confirmed the scarring is permanent; she'll ne

is even easier to control. Cut the funding for the Vance woman. Let El

oid. The only thing that existed was his voi

permanent solution to

shard of ice, pie

t just content with the loss of my child; he intended to use

placeholder," stripped of my future and my fami

apped. Sile

lood had drained from my face. There was no anger left. No grie

ngless. I had my confes

ble. I didn't wait for Hayden. I walked away from

another taxi and gave the driver an ad

lows Sa

ir by the window. The dementia had stolen most of her memories,

frail, paper-thin hand in mine.

ing to get you out of here. I'm taking you

e out the window, a small,

f my hatred found its purpose. It was no longer just about revenge. It was about

would be to formally, and irrevocably

to initiate