Velvet chains of winter

pped through the front door t

e was to

nd deliberate. No television murmured in the background. No music floated from the kitchen. Even the grandfath

p shoes left faint marks on the polished marble floor, and instinctively her shoulders t

're

rom the living room-sm

heart

stepping forward. "There was tr

aribel inter

d and entered

Her posture was flawless, legs crossed elegantly, fingers wrapped around a glass of red wine. Her hair w

r lounged

through her phone, one manicured nail tapping against the screen. W

said sweetly.

instinctively. "I del

an eyebrow, uni

Elara said carefully.

-the faint tremor in her hands, the damp hem of her skirt, the wa

el observed lightly. "Did s

d for half a s

quickly. "Not

hed softly.

flin

t as she stood. She walked closer, slow and deliberate, circling Elara like a bored predator. "

rass anyone," E

t of her, tilting her h

on struck

t stuttered.

d, sharp and knowing.

snapped to El

n the roo

d. "I-I don't know who that is," she sai

r half

graceful and unhurried. She approached Ela

el said quietly. "You were sent to Bl

to an assistant," Elara sai

ped inches a

sharp and dangerous. "Men like Kael Blackwood are not meant fo

st tightene

u're worrying over nothing. She probab

rds sa

s together, refusing

el said abruptly. "We'll

, ma

stop until she reached the narrow hallway at the top, her footsteps muffled by

thes chosen by Maribel, not her. It didn't feel like a bedroom so muc

y and leaned against it

arms around herself. The rain tapped gently against the window, a

vibrated

umbling to pull

own

t began

umb hovering uncertainly. Sl

get home

eath c

n't nee

yped back after a mom

ame almost

t be out alone in

gh her chest, unfam

checked on her l

screen long afte

t the foot of the staircase

Lysette said, irritation

a thin, calculating smile

nthouse office, hands clasped behind his back as he stare

aribel Vale," he said into h

pa

el added.

all, jaw tight

ned to a house that

not leave h