h Gilles

nose wrinkled, and told me

s. If Corey hadn't been holding me up, I'd have gone face-first

nd bloody hem. "Remember this. The

Leaning on Corey, I dragg

e hollow leg of the cot-seven hundred dollars. My last savings. Not enough for Ebe

cording pen deep in the mat

the southern district. Every step stabbed through my knees. Corey stayed wit

s, transient merchants, working families. The kind

a brick alley and paid five hundred fo

e from the Pack." I pressed the last two hundred int

eyes. "Ever, be careful. If they

a smile I didn't feel

noon. I hadn't eaten or slept in over thirty hours. My body was run

miro's solid silver pocket watch. The only valuable thing he'd left me. Silver was pois

ow breath. I stumbled to the brick wall of a high-end French

scent. Frozen ceda

s flew

fé window, I s

re coat over a dark crewneck. The casual clothes didn't sof

blonde noblewoman in an ivor

cil. For months, rumors had been flying that the Council was pushing a political un

manicured hands. Damon just swi

near them. I pulled my wool h

electric bike lost control on

ok

ard. My bag flew open, spilling everything-including Casimiro's silver

ck turned every

nees. When I grabbed for the watch and looked up, my eye

ee. His gaze was fixed on me.

blue eyes widening. "Oh hea

open the brass-trimmed door and stepped o

dripping with sweet, patronizing concern, extending a lac

up. My knees almost gave out. I locked them. No weak

out, hands in his pockets. His eyes d

ng through gutters for scraps?" Hi

t and met his eyes. "That's no

, oblivious to the tension. "I'm heading to the couture boutique down the street to

s," I said quickly, stepping back. My

blade. A faint, cruel smirk touched his lips. "Let her