a Lan

move, I

e something that had survived war, bled for power, and come out on the other side more myth than man.

he said again

n the journal like it could shiel

, and kicked the door shut behind

ost her, her life. So unless you want to follow in he

ank. "What's

hurt you, Sierra. I'm here to

ind of bag people bury things in when they want them found by

es half-charred but legible. Symbols matc

a ph

ounger, smiling at a man with

up. "You

he said. "And

roat. He sat opposite me, not close, not looming. Just watching. Li

" Elias said. "But not like tha

ed to ask w

c," I w

father. The real Alpha. The one who started the trafficking.

clenched.

hing else we still don't fully understand. Your mother wasn't just a priestess.

pecial. I'm just a journ

n he had the chance?" Elias leaned fo

ing in me called to him. Because I

trust you

out why you were marked since birth, you'll follow the trail I left in that satchel.

e envelope sealed with wax. My fingers

Sie

eces enough to survive what's coming. You'll be hunted, you'll be lie

charm like a mask, power like per

he one who wal

o gave up his teeth f

alw

o

etter slowly,

mean Dominic, but Elias had

d a babysitt

said. "I'm here to protect wh

an cont

n surv

choed down

ke a soldier smellin

d shoved it under the be

n't stay where

anished through the terrace

oor o

unbuttoned at the collar, sleeves rolled

are

p," he said, s

nto people's rooms

oices and smell blo

retending to fix the curtain.

poke, his voice wasn't s

. Cassandra isn't y

ic,"

d. "Where did yo

lk," I said. "

ut you're not ready. That journal? It's a spark

o know what fir

, dangerous and magnetic. His hand brushed a lock of hair

her d

pped

pha, billionair

uncil. Don't ask questions. Don't sho

hy

ames still blee

l

uder than it should've been. I reached under the

ong. Smile, nod and prete

night,

ead turned m

o flesh. The same one as my birthmark, but it's not on me.

nding next to