THE SHADOW BETWEEN US

fee drifting through the air. For a moment, I forgot where I was, forgot t

ound world I'd been thrust int

emotional upheaval finally claiming me. Through the French doors, the

everything fit perfectly, which was both impressive and unsettling.

on the polished hardwood. I expected to find Adrian at the dining table or perhaps

m the kitchen, carrying a tray laden with what looke

epted the coffee she offered, grate

afternoon." Margaret set the tray on the dining table - fresh fruit, perfectly scrambled eggs, artisa

he kind expensive jewelry came in.

t model, sleek and expensive, but I could see modi

s already programmed in, along with mine and the building's secu

't just a phone. It was a lifeline to the outside world, a way to in

also

g if I'll r

t do anything without a reason. But I think you'll

would have been planning my escape the moment I was alone. Now,

ness?" I asked, se

ntle but firm. "Mr. Blackwood has many responsibilitie

e criminal o

her voice now. "Do you know what this city was like before the Crimson Serpent brought

, perfectly seasoned

s at night. Children recruited as soldiers before they were old enough to understand what they were fighting for." Margaret sat acros

sn't make

d. "But it make

se deep down, I was beginning to understand that the world wasn't as black and white as I'd

e?" I asked inst

hoosing her words carefully. "His father was... hard on him. Wanted to make su

kind o

ood forged his son into a weapon, but weapons don't feel. The

changing Adrian, making him feel things he'd been trai

it terr

hen he realizes

mitted. "But I hope you'll

r of which provided much comfort. I picked at the food, my

d against the table. A te

rets. Meet me at the fountain in Bryant Park. One ho

number, had managed to contact me despite Adri

ide the organizati

way to lure me out of Adrian's protection. But it could also

thing wouldn't get me answers. It would only get me more protection, more isolation,

my de

ke any other wealthy woman running errands in the city. I'd tested the building's security,

, used by maintenance staff and delivery personnel. It wasn't monitored as heavily a

ut of the apartment. The service elevator was exactly where I'd

no doubt. But it was the exit that interested me, the one th

ost m

where, Ms.

mild curiosity. He was tall, broad-shouldered, with the kind

r," I said, tryin

tone was polite but firm. "Perhaps y

't a su

f I re

personally." He smiled, and it was

ge, and the bars were made of men like this one. Men wh

cing a smile. "I think I

and gestured toward th

eel his eyes on me, assessing, calculating. When the doors

voice stopped me at

es

has limits." His smile was gone now, replaced by something c

myself into the apartment, my hands s

still buzzing

e are

s runni

ng because of y

t. Someone was out there, claiming to have information about m

obl

wearing his black coat, raindrops glistening in his dark hai

I said, sliding the

His eyes were sharp, missing nothin

thi

ow

ria

soft, but there was steel

d. He took it, scrolling through the messages wi

e asked, his voi

n't k

re going to

on. I lifted my ch

e a trap. Even though i

ired of bein

he danger radiating from him like heat. "Do you have any idea what I had t

ething in my expression

"You know exactly what I am, what I do, and you still tho

your pr

aid quietly

retense was gone now, stripped away to re

I try to

face, thumb tracing my cheekbone with devastating gentleness. "I told

out what

long enough for me to eliminate the threat." His grip tighten

with another message. Adrian glanced at i

s it say?

message was short, simple,

. Check t

the television. The breaking n

NER MURDERED IN

er of the prestigious Volkov Gallery, was found dead this morning in Bryant Pa

who had sold my father several pieces for his collection. The woman who had calle

d because I hadn't be

y fault,"

his is what happens when people t

d becaus

n Serpent." He pulled me against him, and I felt the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

had inf

oked my hair, soothing and possessiv

me. Instead, I found myself melting into his embrace, seeking c

whispered aga

r w

leave. For no

nder. "You'll learn that I'm the only one who

in his scent and feeling the strength of his

his pr

ybe, I was startin