rthday party tasted like be

s connections, the subtle "luck" that seemed

struggling startup to a tech mo

ful brownstone in Beacon Hill, tw

he champagne he'd handed me, a se

er of something cold in his eyes. And beside h

nt Chloe will take go

r kid was kind of emb

were a final, brutal blow bef

scent of old book

ome in South Boston. Sunlight streamed through the stained

patriarch, held out a heavy, i

ose your path. A quiet life, or... do you a

power, a leader, a protector. Traditionally male, but the

'd chosen the quie

voice was clea

Uncle Finn. I will bec

p-set eyes. "Are you certain, Elara? This path... it

side right now, pacing, eager to secure his future with me. He knew

e week-long initiation is complete, keep m

child. Your pa

k, I'd be someone ne

Ethan had to

han rushed forward, grabbing my

families have these old traditions... I was thinking, maybe we cou

y maneuvering, trying to tie me to him. Perh

al. "That's a big step, Ethan. It's for life, you

he probably thought was devotion. But I saw it. The same ambiti

ng you, Elara... it's unb

of poisoned champa

n. I say yes. I don't want to be apa