The Obsidian Vow

ze carried the sounds of Manhattan's perpetual hum-a symphony of distant horns, murmuring voices, and the steady thrum of life below. The sun was just beginning to s

a time when she found solace in moments like these when the world seemed to slow down just enough for

ou ner

g Adriana had to a friend in this unforgiving city. Samantha was leaning against the

n't get nervous," she replied, her tone light, almost teasing. But the

about to dive into the lion's den, Adriana. Even you have to a

aced by a steely resolve. "

ving closer. She lowered her voice, her tone softening. "Just... be carefu

as enough to send a shiver down Adriana's spine. In the world of high finance and corporate power, Thorn was

layed by his own rules, a shadowy figure who moved through the city like a ghost, unseen but ever-present. No one knew muc

ance of the garden where guests were beginning to gather. The charity gala was in full swing and the who's who of New York's elite

ce low and urgent, "this is a different

that. She had been drawn into Damian Thorn's orbit the momen

s stories before-corruption, organized crime, political scandals-but something about this one felt different. It wasn't just

. If Thorn was hiding something-and she was certain he was-then it was her duty to uncover it.

was immediately enveloped by the low murmur of conversation and the clinking of crystal glasses. The guests were dressed in their finest, the men in tailored suits and the women in elegant

had become the center of her investigation. It wasn't difficult

, emphasizing his broad shoulders and lean frame. But it wasn't just his appearance that drew attention; it was the aura of powe

eyes, a striking shade of icy blue, flicked over the crowd with an intensity that made her shiver. There was some

h the crowd with practiced ease. She knew how to blend in, how to become just an

isitions, of deals worth millions of dollars. It was all business, and yet there was an under

r presence, Damian's gaze

electricity course through her, her breath catching in her throat as their eyes met. His gaze was piercing, almost unnerving in

even as her heart raced in her chest. She had faced down powerful men before-corrupt

urved into a small, enigmatic smile. It was a smile that h

n walking toward her, his movements graceful and

harged with tension. When he finally stopped in front of her, the

accent that she couldn't quite place. It was the kind of voice that

uzzing beneath the surface. "Mr. Thorn," she replied, keep

was something in his eyes, a flicker of recognition as if he knew

ning just enough to convey a hint of amusement. It was a calcula

a fraction. "I'm quite intrigued by your work. You have a

probing for weaknesses, for vulnerabilities he could exploit. Sh

any cost," she said, her voi

is eyes. "Indeed. Though I've found that the

. Adriana felt a chill run down her spine, but she refused to be inti

," she said, her gaze unwavering. "And I'm

ession unreadable. Then, to her surprise, he l

rked, a note of admiration in his voice.

unsettling about the way he was looking at her, as if he

g, a woman approached them,

auty that turned heads wherever she went. Adriana recognized her as **Victoria Hale

ough his as she glanced at Adriana with a polite smile.

Victoria's arm. "Victoria, this is Adriana Blackwood, a journal

you," Adriana said

eyes-curiosity, perhaps, or maybe suspicion. She shook Adriana's hand wit

e honeyed. "I've heard so much about you, Ms. Blac

edging the compliment. "Thank you, Ms. Hale

sharpness to it, like the edge of a blad

," Adriana rep

as if he were enjoying some private joke. Adriana couldn't shake the feeling that sh

Damian plucked one from the tray and handed it to Adriana, his fingers brushing hers as he did.

ces," Damian said,

-but now she found herself in a game she hadn't anticipated. Damian Thorn was not like anyone she had encountered before.

eath the mask Damian presented to the world. What secrets was he hidin

. He introduced her to his associates, each one more powerful and influential than the last. She pl

eling that she was being watched, not just by Damian, but by others as we

mian once more. The air was cooler now, the warmth of the day giving way to the chill of

marked, his voice low and smoo

ully. "I was just thinking about what you s

interest piqued. "And what

"The truth is complex, and sometimes it's buried so de

is eyes. "I couldn't agree more. But tell me, Ms. Blackwood, ar

idered her answer. She knew what she was getting into-or at least, she thought she did. But standing here, face-to-face wit

her voice steady. "Whateve

was a hint of something darker in his express

hat sent a shiver down her spine. "Because on

feel the heat of his body, the scent of his cologne-woodsy, with a hint of something sharp

led with tension, the world around them narrowing to just the two of them. But

aid, his tone casual, as

her off balance. "Right," she managed, h

ptible gesture, before turning and walking away,

uncover the truth about Damian Thorn, but now she was more uncertain than ever. What was he hiding? And why

g with questions and doubts. She had always prided herself on being able to see through the facades people put up, to uncover the truth hidden bene

e the feeling that this was only the beginning. The beginning of somet

She had a story to write, a truth to uncover. But as she descended the stairs, the ech

digging, there's

eer, Adriana wasn't sure if she w