ree: The G

't sleep

icking of the old grandfather clock in the hall. But her mind kept drifting back to Luc

her more than

lnerability. Vulnerab

to be human. It would

a decision-she would stop reacting. Stop letting him see her fear. Lu

, nothing too plain. A soft blue blouse and

door, a white envelo

art sk

and unfolded the

SK ONE: East

you wrote to Av

stomach

know about

fter the rumors, after the silence. A letter full of pain and unanswered questions,

ess

ing her longer

the note i

-

– East

hways, and stone fountains whispered secrets beneath ivy-covered walls. It wasn't

behind his back, dressed in a charcoal suit

the folded letter in her

te," he said with

committing to t

This isn't a

"Of course it is. Ev

oser. "Give m

N

brow

" she said. "But you

a moment. Then no

s. The paper was creased from being held too

ear

hear me. I don't know

you so much it makes

remained sti

ye. And now all I have are nightmares and questio

What did he have over you?

e paused, swallowing

ched her like she was a puzzle

ould hate you

re selfish, you were my

le

ed it back into her pocket, wip

nothing for

, "She wrote

inked.

bench. A small black box

familiar handwriting

epped forward and picked it up. Her fi

"I

means Lucien kept his pro

art po

thing. I didn't trust you. Not because y

I had to do, you'd ha

blood drain

what he seems. A

understan

alw

v

The handwriting was real. The phrasing

nt... the sec

ng wasn

lieve this?" she ask

you," he said. "But I promised

What did she do for you t

ed. "That, Isla, is

lappe

through the gard

cheek turned red, but hi

ed. Quiet. Co

ng up," he s

away. "You'

said. "I'

away, his footsteps c

untain, gripping two letters-one

dea which one sh

-

ht – The

t the windows with wind and water. Thunder rolled

tting her feet take her to the one place in t

w. She traced her fingers along their spines until she reac

ok about poisons an

he pages, she heard a so

buttoned at the collar, sleeves r

e asked from h

ance up. "I

know how?"

d," he replied. "Th

scof

up high, Lucien down low, both of th

he

n't kill

a f

ed. In small do

n slowly. "What

't take her own life

, stunned. "How d

cause I was trying to pr

"You're lying. This is anoth

ould I

ep me

alread

didn't kill her, Isl

d away. "

to-Ava, standing beside a man Isla didn't recogni

ucien said. "He was her i

ndl

he was working for people who wanted

aced. "That's

she realized

oto on a nearby tabl

th," he said. "Now

ou telling

he only way either of us survives

n he wa