sia

up on t

glass of water sat on the table beside my head. A concession. They hadn't

screaming in protest. Dante was in

, his face a mask of cold in

asked, my voice a raw whispe

s old as his bloodline. "I don't

o see if I'll stay. What will it take for it

lk robe. "Dante, darling, I can't sleep. My finger is throbbing." She p

murmuring soothing words, and led her from the room without a backward glance at me. Th

more pain. Just a vast, empty landscap

sts filled the ballroom, their laughter echoing off the marble floors. They were Dante's people-underbosses, c

to her friend, loud enough for me to hear. "The Don clear

A diamond bracelet. A sports car, the keys presented on a velvet cushion. Nico stood beside them, clapping en

ing. My face wa

outburst. My indifference was a reb

gne and attention, glided over to m

n me a gift, Ales

for you," I said

neck. It was a locket, thin and worn. Inside was a tiny, faded

aid, her voice turni

vely clutch

had approached, sensing a new opportunity for his

t, but it held the unyielding co

racking for the first time in weeks.

, joining the circle. "Don Dante can buy you

cruel, struck me hard

essia. Now." Dante'

it from my neck. The fine chain sliced into my skin, drawing a thin l

ed with that chilling possess

, tears finally blurring my vision.

cker of something in his eyes-not regret, but a primal

to Seraphina.

"Happy birthda

n whisper. "Are you hap

uel smile spreading across her face. She let it fall to the marble floor. And then,

hoed in the sudden si

te attempt to salvage the crushed pieces of my mother, of my past. The jag

s grip like iron on my arm. "S

gasped, cradling the ruined

" he said, his voic

was more shocking t

ce dropping to a dangerous whisper that was

e had reached a new level of depravity. And I knew, with a certain