g silence of the Blackwood

ed at me, but I wouldn't break. I clung to the memories of J

nes' world sta

crippling their systems. A string of devastatingly

ly. The curse was closing in, even in this new life,

ria Thorne w

omposure cracked with desperation when

r voice strained. "Yo

able Thorne safe house. Not freedom, but a gilded cage. Victoria intended

irthday party were in full swing. It was also to b

in our first life – an understated, almost hidden affair, because he hadn't wan

spared. The city buzzed with

the gala, Victo

ulian's declining health and the

ted, dispensing with pleasantr

ined s

w. He needs to be strong

so cold, held a fl

the shocki

r words carefully. "Marcus Rylan. An investig

lving toxic waste and falsified safety reports, the very same kind of site where Julian had left me to die. Thorne C

are resolved," Victoria continued. "All charges dropped, his assets unfrozen. H

ou, Elara, will agree to a formal, binding

erate mind, to somehow transfer some of my "luck" indirectly, or at least get

finished, "would be 'free

, but a potential ally. A man with a strong moral compass, a strategic mind, and a dee

I said, my

uick acceptance. "Good. The arran

hannel I'd established. I' d sent him a simple message: "I know what the Thornes

us but intrigued. "Who ar

porary alliance. A marriage of convenience. I

. He'd asked for more

outlining the benefits, the

Marc and I were alr