d in the hallway, curli

in

and descended the grand staircase like he

here for

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oat-too tight, too heavy. It wasn't jew

wed him

ring like a predator ready to run. A driver opened

glanc

va

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ot

ien sat beside me, calm as still water, one arm resting

y hands

speak for

night is

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h curved fain

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that is b

ce me fully. His ga

said softly. "But s

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ed out, the world see

handeliers the size of carriages, walking

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gainst my ear, "Smile, cara m

-but not

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think I w

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wolves in tuxedos. Lucien's allies. Rivals. Enemies pr

hem appr

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drawled. "You've u

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kled. "And

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ain. Like a curs

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tone neve

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culated, every glance intentional. He didn't

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for air. The walls were covered in tapestries older than Am

hear him

w it wasn

be alone," came

urn

hands in his pockets. The

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ned. "Is th

ed. "A w

d warnings.

areful, Ava. The devil do

brushed

th

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see him

ear his

and slammed him into the wall

a laugh. "Protec

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s smirk

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n't wan

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peak on the

as a loaded g

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me like some whore and

ht the neck

ld

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you th

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a

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s low, contr

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not w

're something worse

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aid. "But not becaus

ll me how

quieter now, "because part of

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my wrist

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he was the one

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