A Blackwood Heiress Bows To No One

arrived the next d

main study at Blackwood Ranc

ed, climate-controlled case. A single,

mining it, a servan

ce and Li

ighed. "Sho

onally frail, her eyes immediately fixed on th

lying to her chest. "Is that

t it. They say it can cure almost anything... ev

isorder. It' s... it' s getting worse. The doctors... they don' t know what to do." A tear trickled

f your ailment, Miss Hayes. But this vial is a Blackwood asset

ed. "But... I' m dy

? She' s telling you she' s dying, and you' re

er sent these gifts to make peace, not for you t

ly, my eyes still on Lil

. "Caleb, let' s go.

u the best doctors. I' ll find another way. You won' t die. I prom

sobbing dramatically

sn't dying from any blood disorder. She wanted that vial

Ryder arrived. He didn'

olding a small,

ittle hesitant. "This isn't as

elvet, was a locket. Silver, intricately ca

give them to those we... vow to protect. There' s a twin to it. I wear it." He touc

ul, and the sentiment behind it... it was worth

real. Thi