a heavy dark shroud over the Reynolds estate, heavier than death itself. The marble halls were full of mourners, who spoke in low

ing too long on Steve Reynolds. He stood by the big fireplace with his jaw tight and his muscles tense under the fitted suit that screamed power a

a voice that only she could hear

curve her lips to hide her ambition. "Always

at the screen changed the light in her eyes. "Excuse

and a look of wonde

uiet corner as she read the message that sent

unding her appeared to hold its breath, waiting for the next pla

n though she was bruised and tired. The cardiac monitor's steady beep was like a metronome counting down the second

hort breaths, each one a small act of defiance. The world thought she was go

as the silence grew, they turned into fists. T

oseful, stop just past the curtain.

t her eyes were full with doubt. She walked over to the bed a

urse's slightest movement m

ely wipe a wet strand of hair off of Lois's forehead. She s

passed between them, a vow mad

he hall and then back at Lois before

nto silence. Lois held on to the secret messag

fluorescent lights. The air was thick with antiseptic, which made it hard to breathe. Lois mov

. "Stay low and out of sight of the cameras." The night shift isn'

e distant clang of a metal waggon and the quiet conversations behind a cl

se's palm brushed against Lois's back in a rea

ere," the

around the little note,

service area, a loud alarm broke th

ed under her b

tense. Footsteps thundered toward

urse screamed as she pulle

all over the place made the hallway look like a mess.

d through her body. She had started to get

as hammering like thunder in her chest with every breath. The city's shadows enveloped her tiny body, and she melted into their black embrace,

und her neck. The city was alive with sounds from far away, like honking cars, quiet conversations,

full of purpose. She was a ghost, gone from the w

The blue light from her computer screen lit up her sharp features. The notification that fla

ow, and every syllable was full of poison. "Look for her

gaze narrowed. The chase had just begun, and she

looked like a mirror, yet the guy looking back at him was broken, caught between grief and distrust. His dark hair was messy,

esk. He whispered, "Jane," with his lips

the silence. Steve frowned but go

he darkness. His voice was low and full of despe

d his mouth tightened wit

e attention; she's still alive. Loi

eart raced like a battle drum as he carefully shut the door. The ghosts of his past

d, not knowing that a storm was