OW

ot was thunder

e entire rooftop froze. The m

n-t

a pistol and a sharp tongue - dropped like a marionette with cut

him as he hit the marble floo

reamed, "Oh

m the decorated table, nearly tripping

r pillar. Her hands trembled as she frantically check

we have to go. Now! I knew Nate was up to no

und, frantic. Nate w

band and stood tall, gun aimed va

and bulletproof vests - c

rm. "We need to go find your

dded sharply

ed to run

ic

r necks. A second man, eyes hidden behind mi

fast, pr

went rigid, "w- what do you want f

metallic kiss of the guns at their necks reminded them th

being held at gunpoint. "Don't you touch h

smiled coldly b

h

ound tore th

rds, instinctively tur

he rooftop. The blades whipped the air, scattering petals

der d

anded o

black, the wind snapping his long c

with the calm of a predat

d. Not from obedience -

his coat, and stepped fo

Nate

Nate barked to

hesit

d STAN

obe

into their seats by the gunmen. The

eart slammed

Nate and dusted off his coat like

wly. "You've grown bolder si

. "What the hell are you doing here? Aren't you

d her mother choked on their saliv

" the man replied, voice like sharpened obsidian. "But because you'

ina fl

e Nav

name from Ivy'

urse: a shadow king, the underworld's puppet

le?" Her st

o you remember whose fami

r name means nothing to me. It didn't matter then

ght into Nate's space. Th

he purpose of your pr

d his jaw. D

a's ears

purp

sent to protect something," the man hiss

. Sharp jaw. Beautiful - in tha

ted hi

er in person,"

iffened. "E-

the boss wants you. Even his nasty

surged t

what gives you the right to

but I know your type. Lo

"And a PET! Your entire famil

d, stepping between the

ut looking at him. "You've alr

's hand amd whispered, "B

at the hell are y

ed, voice ri

ies, was forgiven serveral times. He violated the order that was given to him which was to protect Seraphina Vale. Now,

's blood

clutch

raphina whispered. "What

said. "You are

g to anyone! Nate's supposed to

'll know what you need to

waved

them

-WA

the other grabbed Megan who hissed. "

Screamed. L

ood s

s l

d out. "Nate! TELL

didn't

reaked h

den

re ex

ecame fire

systematically taking down

ew. People

's men collapsed

th

turned

ed at S

ft

was the

ou," he w

t hit him squar

to hear from him with sincerity finally came out. She instantly

oward him. Gunshots rang

eamed behind h

ed from the next rooftop - tears

d her back as she th

bled. Her blo

she sc

e masked man's eye

an panicked as he rushed to

she hugged Nate, "I'

know. I deserve it," he gasped. "But

bbed h

he said. "So you'd be safe. S

at him, t

l love you in the next life," he whispered.

slumped

e

ared ahead.

every

ies da

egan t

ard was her mother, cryin

APHI