'S P

heets, morning coffee, light without bars. That stupid jazz playlist I pretended to hate. And, against my will, I s

e it: racks of designer dresses and handbags arranged like little trophies. I ran that place like I was born to do it, which I was, technically. The customers loved me-partly be

company on the side, thanks to Dad. Little did I know that wasn't all that would come with the "legacy?" There is nothing like watching your so-c

on the phone, muttering about some under-the-table deal. My stomach twisted, but I stayed quiet. I didn't know what it meant back then, but now...if I could get out of this place, I'd make sure th

w I'm already hurt long before Kael threw me into this place. When I lost the Blackwell legacy, I lost everything, includ

cold stone or the sting of Kael's whip. I take a shuddering breath and make a wish-not the wish you make when you're blowing out birthday ca

isper, thin as smoke, like

IN

AS DETECT

ALISIN

M ACTI

ugh, I might as well add auditory hallucinations to the list. But then, something odd happens. My vision sharpens like someone turned u

happening, the whisper comes

N PROCESS....5

t this doesn't feel like one. It feels...real, which is either great news or very, ve

CKWELL, YOU ARE CH

e name it called The voice knows my real name. Not the name Kael's given me, but my own. My real identity. And for the

orners of my mind. I almost want to say something, but what do you say to a voice that suddenly appears i

E DETECTED. SYSTEM INIT

point, anything is better than lying on this cold floor, waiting

OBJECTIVE

asic, but I'll take it. Th

Y OBJECTI

nking about nothing else for wee

BJECTIVE: R

fits. For as long as I can remember, I've dreamed of taking Kael and his empire down, of expos

y coursing through my veins. It's faint, li

hat's a System feat

he voice hums

D ACCESS TO THE FO

EAL

SED END

NTED S

WILL UNLOCK BA

ore than just some cryptic message. Whatever this System

eels lighter, like I'm blending into the darkness around me. Even

e. Kael and his men don't k

hoes once mo

ND RETRIBUTION ARE NOW YOUR DIRECTIVES. FULFIL

ds is coming, peering down the hallway as if he's sensing something. I hold my bre

triumph. The Syst

eeded in giving myself hope, which also strengthened me despite the whips I had taken earlier. At least now I h

y wonderland for real and back to

K, LYRA

face of a frying pan. A SYSTE

have said? The thing is, I thought I was daydreaming when you were giv

ill hall