The Dark Bargain

y's

n's strained face. As I battled to calm the turbulence within, the quiet felt heavy and weighty. With a knuck

hat wall of stillness. But we were here, toward another encounter with Victor Hargrave, approaching Eliza and whatever mess she was entangle

ked as I broke the s

h a tense voice. "Victor needs her. When he intend

I wouldn't receive any answers, the strai

it. Though I knew Eliza was his sister, part of me couldn't understand why he would

l. "She still belongs to Lily's family.

my mother. Still, it was difficult to balance his extreme devotion to Eliza with his cold, calculated sid

ks; his jaw set, and he parked and turned to face me. "Kee

his passion stopped me, so I nodded and swallowed my pride. This exceeded my wra

hand at my behind to lead me toward the shadowy entry. The warehouse loomed ahe

his eyes softening momentarily. "I'm sorry

him before; it was a fault in the armor he wore so securely. The door flew open before I coul

ed to me with a leer. "Mr. Blackwoo

palm tightened around mine, anchoring me. "Take us to

ife with moisture and damage. My pulse hammered, my every sense screaming at me to

n the middle of the room, her face battered but defiant. As we got closer

mien," her voic

ch her. Victors. As he saw the scenario, his arrogant smirk

last, he said, his voice full

mien growled, his voice gl

think so. You see, I have seen you play your games, control everyone a

always been evident, Victor. hiding behind threats, play

that, Damien? You're caught. Your family is split, the empire you created is falling apart

ety, though. Stepping nearer, my voice firm, "You're wrong, Victor," I said. "Damien c

nare. "Is that such? And Lily, do you suppose y

but Damien's hand found mine, stabili

d, my voice unbro

n. Because the man you believe you know is simply a liar. Master manipulator Damien Blackwo

t stoked the mistrust raging inside me. I stared at him, lookin

aside, his face

nnot even glance you in the eye. Though he is to

all the vulnerable times I had seen in Damien, the flashes of something true un

irritation over his features. "You

guys and pointed

f me with a stiff posture, prepared for a battle. But

Victor; you have

e frigid. But, Eliza, I do. You,

his mouth. "You see, Damien, loyalty is an odd thin

squarely at Damien before I could react. My heart st

rward, then Damien stretched out a ha

ontinued, his voice calm and s

nister. "No, Damien." Nonetheless, you are.

gger. My pulse thumping, I held my breath and

or's arm to the side. As the rifle went off, the sound deafening,

ys tried to maintain control. With an angry look, Damien g

ods, our feet resonating in the night. But Victor's soldie

ath ahead by squeezing me against the wall. His breath

olute, he said, "We'r

ded. But even as we were ready to flee, I couldn't get rid of the impression that this was merely

in my head as we sl

but it was a truth that might wipe aw