Velvet chains of winter

ity into a mirror

dge of the crosswalk, waiting for the pedestrian light to change. Her fingers tightened around the thin strap of her han

used t

ngs never b

st, umbrellas clashing, voices sharp with impatience. Someone brushed her sh

owered

visible

echoed in her mind, p

Tower tonight. No excuses. If anything

wallowe

. Maribel Vale never explained herself. She issued commands, and Elara followed.

though it had never

an light fli

the familiar anxiety that accompanied every task she was given. Sh

when it

d with some

rtled gasp as she stumbled backward, her bag slipping from her shoulder. Papers f

ped to her knees, scrambling to gather the documents before the rai

w fell

fr

They were immaculate-expensive, untouched by rain or haste. Slowly,

r looked nothing like the

ed out a tailored black coat that looked custom-made to command attention. Rain slid down the

g jaw, lips set in a neutral line that suggested control rather than ki

eyes that roote

eep. Ob

t saw ev

ter now, instinctively shrinking under the weight

dn't

't s

ocating. Elara hurried to gather the last of th

to

without anger or volume-y

hands hovering ov

nhurried. He picked up one of the documents she h

NSOLIDATED -

ifted in his

rise. Re

eturned to

nging these h

't a qu

ically, her throat tightening. "I

sent

hesi

second

once more. Rain traced a path down his j

up,"

She rose unsteadily to her feet, clutching th

rse. Calm. Controlled. Like a man who didn't need to raise

at her pro

way she held herself as if bracing for impact. As if life ha

aking," he

she lied,

not in suspicion but in so

he corrected. "

rted, but n

d documents in her hand

low

apt painfull

ed away, moving wit

r, please, I really need to d

sto

he tur

mother?" h

n't meant to say it. The words had slipp

d softly. "She

s her

s tone made her

bel V

ir sh

ed, but something dark and dan

e murmured, more to

eaning behind his words, but

s brushed briefly-hers cold and trembling, his warm and steady. The c

said. "You look like yo

," she whispere

sn't a r

wer was nothing like anyw

ed faintly of clean stone and money. People moved through the spa

d in, something

e not

Employees straightened instinctivel

questio

stopp

ing from her coat onto the pristine floor. She wrapped her arm

tor doors

apped around them

climbing steadily. Elara watched the reflection of her

or Maribel Vale,"

ened. "I-I l

r briefly. "Not

onto a private

ating area outside a gl

he edge of the chair as though

ter-elegant, poised, her ex

Black

said. "And

to Elara, surprise flashing before

ain, he leaned against

raid of going h

ruck deeper tha

he replied a

ge her. Didn't ac

h confidential documents. You apologized when you were the one knock

n her lap. "Please don'

won

y, disbelief flicker

d. "But I will ask yo

mmered painf

me the

retched be

ver asked he

out barely above a whisp

oftened-ju

quietly, "is an

rned, Elara accepted th

tched her

, precision, and distance. He did not involve himse

r cup as though it might be taken from her at

ie

ger

voca

le had cro

realized it or not-had ju

is prot