Vows in the shadow

cked on the gravel driveway, sharp against the heavy silence that surrounded the estate. Before her lo

e her mother vanished without a trace in this very house. Now, the keys to the mansion

like a dying lantern. A cold shiver crawled down her spine as she glanced up at the highest w

ered to herself

rloom she hadn't taken off since childhood. Its center held a faded photo of her mother

welcomed her. Candlelight flickered to life automatically along the corridor-motion-sensor,

, twisting up into the darkness. Every corner of the room whispered of things lost-silk curtains torn

n, she

and shadows, with eyes like cold fire and a jaw set as if every word he

low and smooth like danger in

ath caught. "

g a step forward. "Co-inheritor of Rave

ked. "Ex

r left instructions. We are to be engaged-for a

clear, legal, binding. Her grandmother's

his a

oser, his presenc

mured, "doesn't joke

through the hall. The front d

em, the shado

Chapt