pe draining from him. Renounce

ed, his voice b

ce laced with amusement. "Is your precious famil

g with a smug, satisfied expression. The love

d, the words tasting

, a cold, empty sound

m, and walked away, leaving Julian kneeling alone in the courtya

sed in his room, the last thing he remember

his face etched with worry. A woman in a white coat stood b

ice gentle but firm. "It's a terminal lung diseas

ulian asked,

an a yea

going to die anyway, then his death could be a final

p?" he asked, looking at Anya.

d, her medical kit slamming shut. "I will not help

eaving him with the weight of

at the family he couldn't protect. His death was th

without knocking. They moved with cold efficiency, g

in the doorway,

ring Leo," she announced, her voice dev

out her. It was proof of her complete and utter disregard for his

k the medicine away. His si

Mark in the living room, his face red with ra

slurred. "The Boudreauxs! You're cursed,

odie, who stood frozen, her han

nking, stepping between

lian Boudreaux. Powerless. You can't do anything. That's the p

oice shaking but firm. She pushed J

t, slamming the

r in her eyes, and a cold resolve settl

of the mansion. The press was there, vultures ci

public, he knelt. He held up a legally

nce," he announced, his voice carrying in the sudden silence. "I b