pe, a monument to old money and older secrets. The helicopter touched

like a scene from a period dram

g for him on the tarmac. He gave Seraphina a curt nod

loss of his energy immediately. The worl

the massive oak doors. Al

ome, Miss

s. A crystal chandelier the si

of the grand stairc

s clasped behind his back. His face was a map of stern l

ring a dress that cost more than the Grimes' tra

ld's son. He was leaning against the banister, wearin

said, stepping fo

a. He didn't hug her. He looked at her fla

a mess,"

his gaze. "I've

o get cleaned up. We

ng. "Oh, Archie, give her a break. Sh

been living in a sewer. Which,

he banister and sauntered over.

p?" Julian smirked. "You

tween them. "Watch

atever. I'm going to the tr

She looked past his arroganc

ad. It was pulsing. A dark, jagged

go," sh

s dangling in his

day," Seraphina said. Her

sement. "Why? Are you going t

and copper. The air around you is thick with it.

rchibald looked at her, hi

onsense here, Seraphina. We sent you away to protect th

, grinning. "Crazy. S

nger and walked to the doo

She felt the heavy thud

she whispere