Shattered Vows, Hidden Flames

ansion in a misty gray hush. Amira found the rhythm soothing as she moved through the

vendor for Damien's custom chair parts." Straightforward. Ye

ajar. It wasn't Damien's study, nor one of the common spaces. Curio

had been left op

peek

rnate ceiling, crammed with old leather-bound books, journals, and what looked like first edit

the spine of a worn novel

t and I'll

s sharp, col

a tu

expression like a gathering storm. She hadn't heard him app

," she said evenly. "I was

sk for your

ng the door gently behind her. "You left it

this house, nothing is

"But if you don't want people gettin

hick with warning. But she didn

nd, still holding the clipboard.

ha

ribble down everything I say,

ile. "I don't need to write

maybe. Or interest. He didn't answer,

d with her long after he v

-

r preparing the schedule for next week's board meeting. Jam

r than most," he said

," she replied. "

him," James added softly. "It

sed. "D

er than winter, and his mother left early. Damien grew up learning that

w furrowed.

w her name soon enough. But right

he said bef

-

, knocking twice before entering. She found him at t

I moved the board call to Thursday and canceled the

dn't

icient," he

nk y

t a complim

to work on your tone. Your compliment

r. His eyes weren't cold this

eally here, Am

n caught he

job," s

kbone takes a personal assistant role

"I'm not running. I walk

beat

, Damien Voss nodded. Ju

meant s

m fear, but from the strange, unexpected feelin

wa

t

e... rec

-

led through the sky. Amira lay in bed, staring

w what tomorro

ew one thi

storm insi

t afraid to w

-