The air thickened, heavy with a scent she couldn't name-something between blood, earth, and fire. Her boots clicked aga

ied to tear its way out. Symbols, carved deep into the stone, glowed faintly as they passe

whispered, her voice nearl

his voice like gravel and thu

not just

m the last of a bloodline forged in violence and power.

eaming gold, his veins darkening beneath the skin, the air

e a we

ar. My family used the bloodline to control cities, count

beneath the surface. "You've seen what I do. What I'm

e why?" Her hand slid t

f you're strong enough to sta

ice rough. "Why tell me

er, so close she could f

n't run from me. The only one who lo

eyes. "I don't flinch, Luca

red in him-pride

er in the wall, and pulled out a leather-wrappe

ith secrets," he said, spr

breath

pictures of

ad to be taken inside secured buildings

hoto. "Where di

icking ring," Luca said. "She was sold

cold. "The Crimson

The people Victor answers to. The ones that made me. And they have your s

ok. "Why would y

e when we destroy them. No

ediately. Her heart w

id. "That the thing inside you won't ri

en, without a word,

ed his

shif

l transformation-it was controlled. Half-shifted

the ground, breathing hea

t," he growled. "But I won'

is monster with the power to break

eeling to

she said

d

idn't flinch when he

silence, beast and ass

r phone

ed nu

red it on

ther end was maske

we want. So we took

oze. "

through the speake

buckled.

"Tick tock, little sist

ne wen

uca, panic risin

er. They kno

rkened. "Th

de from her thigh,

said. "It'

thunder

storm was ju