The Hearth's Unholy Secret

as pr

verge of a "Blossoming,"

ation of her spiritual connection with Ma

was especially attentive, h

va approached his private stud

hushed and urgent.

not wanting

ing' is imminent," Jul

ed, a low, ch

now feign concern she might be 'tainted' by it? Don't you fin

ld. Arranged? Test

She was beautiful, seemingly fragile, and Marcus and Julian were utterly dev

s voice

y siphon a shard of Chloe's Soul-Echo to cra

. The Ordeal. The draining. I

ce is paramount. Chloe becoming my brother-in-bond

suffering, her diminish

and to her mouth,

orld

, the decade of blis

d, cruel ma

Sera

her heart hammeri

life in The Hearth ripped apar

the stream, watch

ust have show

Chloe asked, her brow

s face as she recounted t

The siphoned Soul

ce growing paler with

eyes was a mirro

was that a lie too? Just enoug

hispered, her voice tre

cold fury repl

. They' re st

time, the sounds of the idyllic

e, Chloe," Ava finally sai

er own eyes filled wi

We hav

e suddenly fel