IE

s on the road, and I kept mine on the blur of scenery outside the

e house was silent. Damien wasn't here. A str

figured out how to face hi

sion unusually tense. "Luna," she said, her voice l

knew, instinctively, who it was. The na

ina Bl

er hair pulled back into a tight, unforgiving bun. Her face was a mask of aristocratic disdain, and her eyes, sharp and predatory, were

ch of the Blackwood

hat echoed in the silence. "You must be Ess

rations of power-but I lifted my chin. "Yes, m

my head. It was not an assessment of a person, but an appraisal of li

e dripping with condescension. Each word was a pe

igging into my palms. It was my greatest we

unbearable, the front door

living room, and his face insta

a few long strides and, in a subtle but deliberate movement

ive gesture made m

came to see my son-the one who has been so bewitched by a wolf

but to protect me. This place I saw as a cage was, in his eyes,

cision." Damien's voice was low

e marble floor. "Your decision is to bring this... dil

countered, his voice resonating with power

ddess's name, using the very foundation of their fa

ily silenced, her face

immovable forces, the air crackl

ss her lips. "Very well. Since we are family now. You will both come to th

ation. It was a roy

e tension in my posture, but he

ouldn't hide

erate nod. "Fine. We'