time I had died

ettling deep in my bones. I lay on the crisp white sheets of the hospital bed, the sterile s

looked every bit the powerful governor he now was, his suit immaculate, his fa

his voice smooth as polished stone

imes before. Each time, he brought me back from the brink, his own vitality a temporary loan unt

he back of my hand. "An assassination attempt, right on the steps

and bombs, my family's elixir, our shared lifeblood, pulling him ba

inally gleaming with something that looked like sinceri

ifices. I had a secret of my own, a reason why this promise meant more now than ever.

o share the one piece of news th

ak, the door to my hos

nfamiliar, rushed in. One grabbed Ethan, throwi

harp prick

issolved in