The Obsidian Vow

ture that populated her living room. She lay still for a moment, her body cocooned in the soft folds of her duvet, while her mind slowly adjusted to

with missed calls and unread messages. But there was only one that mattered-a single te

be in

ho it was. Damian Thorn. The man who had become her obsession, the enigmatic billi

id it mean? Was it a warning, a promise, or something else entirely? She couldn't be

thoughts. She glanced at the clock on her phone. It was

fore she'd had her morning coffee-but the knock came again, more insistent this time. Wi

bout the timing, the message from Thorn, and now this unexpected visitor set

and power. He had dark hair neatly combed back, a strong jawline, and eyes that were as cold and calculating

h and cultured. "I apologize for the early hou

rms over her chest, trying to mask the unease tha

le, but it didn't reach his eyes. "You

need to put some distance between herself and this stranger who

repeated, keepi

drew a small, rectangular envelope, made of heavy cream-colored paper. I

velope was unmarked, sealed with a simple wax stamp-a letter 'T' embossed in th

ked, her eyes narrowing as

nothing away. "Mr. Thorn would like to extend an off

o what? Another meeting? A trap? The memory of the previous night-the way Damian Thorn had looked at

ssed, though she knew she wou

at is for you to discover, Ms. Blackwood. Mr. Tho

r ulterior motive. But Henry's face was a mask of professionalism, giving nothing away. H

dded. "Tell Mr. Tho

uestions, you may contact me directly." He handed her a sleek black busi

way, the envelope in one hand, and the business card in the other. She wat

ad a choice to make. She could open it, read whatever Thorn had sent her, and take the first step into whatev

ice. Damian Thorn had already pulled her into his world, and the only

igh, Adriana tore

in half. She unfolded it carefully, her eyes sca

Black

message last night. As

tters I wish to discuss with you-matters that require a more... personal touch. Please consider this

ieve there is much we could discuss to our mutual benefit. I

o accept, Henry will arrange for a car to collect you

since

ian

line, the bold scrawl of Damian's signature. The words were polite, even inviting, but there

d to meet her at his private estate-a secluded, controlled environment where he would have the upp

when he knew she was digging for the truth? Was it a trap, or was

urnalist, after all-a seeker of truths, no matter how buried or twisted they might

d her next move. Accepting the invitation meant stepping into Thorn's domain, putting herself at his mercy. B

before her editor's familiar voice came through the line, a mixt

's going on? Y

f her kitchen as she spoke. "I got a message from Thorn this morning

llowed by a low whistle. "The Hamptons? Adriana, that's.

we've been waiting for. If I can get him to open up, maybe I can find out wha

being out there alone with him. Thorn's not someone you can predict, and if h

into this blind. I know the risks, but I also know w

Adriana wondered if Samantha was going to try to talk her out of it. But

n't let you

a dangerous game with

asier said than done. "I'll check in with you as soon as

of worry in her voice. "And if anything feels off-a

thrill of anticipation at the thought of what

with possibilities. The idea of spending an entire weekend with Damian Thorn-of being in s

ut physically as well. If she was going to Thorn

, his connections, and the rumors that swirled around him like shadows. But the more she read, the more she realized how little s

light. But the brightness did nothing to dispel the growing unease in the pit of her st

horn sat on the coffee table in front of her, a constant reminder of what was to come. She had tried to distract herself, to think of anyth

possibilities, so many potential outcomes. But in the end, it all came down to one thing-Damian T

when he handed her the champagne, the electric jolt that had shot through her at the contact. It had been brief, almost imperceptible, but it had left an impress

weekend was fast approaching, and with it, the answers she sought-or at least, the first steps tow

an Thorn-the man who had already begun to unravel her carefully constru

-

had plagued her the night before was still there, but it was tempered by a steely det

might need for the weekend. Clothes, toiletries, her laptop, and notes-she made sure to

ound of her phone ringing broke the silence of her apartment.

gh the line, as cool and composed as ever

teeling herself for what was

tment as if trying to memorize every detail. Then, with a fi

n her chest. When the doors slid open, she saw the black sedan waiting just

it open for her. He gave her a polite nod as she

e said, stepping a

r of the car was plush and luxurious, the leather seats cool against her skin. As soon as sh

de into the distance. She didn't know when she would return, or in what state. All

nge mix of emotions-fear, excitement, anticipation. W

, Adriana couldn't shake the feeling th

-

he more secluded areas of the Hamptons. Adriana stared out the window, watching as the landscape shifted from urban sprawl to rolling hills

ick forest. The trees loomed overhead, their branches interlocking to form a canopy that blocked out the sun. The

d a massive estate, its stone walls and towering turrets giving it the appearance of a fortress. The building was old, its arch

rance, where a set of massive oak doors stood closed, flanked by t

The air was cool and crisp, the scent of pine and earth heavy in the breeze. There was a stilln

nk and handed it to her with a nod. "Mr.

he estate was just as grand as the exterior-high ceilings, marble floors, and elegant chandeliers that cast a warm, golden glow over everything.

they reached a set of double doors at the end of a long corridor. He knocked once, and

nced, his tone respectful. "

indow. Damian Thorn was there, his back to her as he looked out over the sprawling estate grounds. He was dresse

hers with an intensity that made her breath catch. A slow, predatory smile curved his lips as

is voice smooth as silk. "I'm g

ze without flinching. "Thank you for the invitation,

a pair of chairs near the fireplace. "Ple

the room and took

s walking into a trap-one that sh

rs, his eyes never leaving her face, she knew

ould play