a

blood, betrayal

r. Cold and

y stretched like a cathedral corridor-marble floors, charcoal-painted walls, sconces that cast shadows inst

urned once, gave a subtle nod, and I followed. Because even

egal. Clean lines. Steel furniture. Art that was more pain than beaut

ized. All black

nally, voice like a sha

ch about trust, or threats, or

-met mine. "If I have to threaten you

ch. "That's a

not a

trailed behind-smoke, iron, and the kind of

to leave this

N

thr

hing in the wardrobe. Dinn

He was alread

sound. No footst

rst time in da

xpl

. Not even to

The one who hadn't cracked a single joke. The one who handed me

g was s

but by death count. War memoirs. Tactician journals. Psychological warfa

on the desk.

Laughing. Arms around a younger Kael-mayb

was snatched

a

't made

ned. "She y

as

. He didn't look l

the frame in a dr

is danger

ilence,"

. Then wa

uld call a room with no chairs, one tabl

Didn't pull my chair out.

in si

did

said, "You're not

thought I'd cry in corn

you'd beg f

his? Fr

all

"I don't beg. I ba

ps twitch. Almos

"Your father's autopsy. Th

fr

had t

we left the cathedral.

ped it

p right. Entry: sniper-level precision.

mach t

is supposed

lanned it. Only a handful kne

it was one

sta

ero

N

il

N

mry

le

Walked towar

t sure

't offe

dn't

fast in K

d in silk. The chandelier cast blad

foot

oor o

s. Scar along his side

dn't

move to

ndow, spine straight

es pa

ent her finge

up.

to punish my father. He paid. They sent he

lowed.

ned the pact?" I as

tur

family gets to choose which

ence gr

y," I sai

dded

o the bed. Sa

't sto

scared,"

yo

becoming

o l

r long

me to leave

lin

d

N

e, not touching

our bodies humme

at you become,"

ut I'll s

d off th

th our hearts loud,

ll teach

rning, I wo

s side of the bed

ay folded on

Be late and I'll

mir

atened me

rchitecture. The ceiling soared so high, you could whisper sins into

ative. Sh

ng?" I asked,

blade. "Lesso

spa

ith soft words or

y slash tested my patience. Every lun

soldier,"

are

e twice. I la

let

r, muscles sore

found a gift on the bed: a dagger.

urvived. Don't make

f it was affect

be

, I woke t

the

s. Ur

d the do

n. Silas behind them, ar

every word. Bu

ows too

part of

till a l

week. Say another word, and

t the

ked

sm

once-I wasn'

the