Chapter
Mesic heat wrapped ansand use like a second skin, Dhy, relentless, and strangely comforting
kind of place you either healed in–or disopp
The coumpornal falvatore brought me to was tucked high in the Tuna Madre, surrounded by falls and silence A place the world didn’t know estated. Not ever satellites could trace this ghost of a fortress. It was a sanctuary carved by devils for angels on the run 3.
no migell
Hooked at my hiplats. Lucian. Placa Caelum l
My leucy!!
“I’ve made it this fm,” I whispered to myself. “He didn’t win ”
The I didn’t have to
raill talking to gluosts? talvatone’s voice was low, teasing but there was always that edge. The edge that made men fear him. The edge that but empires in the dark. Mr. X, they called him. A phantom in the underworld. No one had ever seen his face and lived to tell the
story
But that And somehow, I was still beating.
“Not glass,” I said, turning to that. “Teminders,
He stepped clapet, a glass of temd chamomile in bis hand. “You need rest, Danien.“1
Hook the glass “Rent”
Salvatore smilikaid, watchling ine will those dark eyes that knew too much. “You’re gelling colder,” he murmured. “Sharper.“)
nippling this toa. “You don’t survive someone like Heegan by staying worn “X
He laughed, hitte mid sult. “You know what the old me would’ve done after what he pulled? Hombed the whole damn city. Took heads for Inpakfast. Ind Tulote ka wolves just for Isrealling near him.“).
“Tempting.” Inaid “That I don’t want blood”
Imet lús gaze, my velen hardening X
“I want control”
He smiled at that A real one. “There she is. Danica fucking De Gerlin. Back from the dead.”X
“Notart the ten down. “Danion died in that basement. The bled into that mattress. She lost her name the moment he locked her undergrad like a thing to be disposed of ”
In who the hell are you now?‘s
I turned to the mirror on the for wall. A woman stared back at me Worn fitrong. Hungry
“Elysia Voss
Salvatore raised a brow “tounds expensive.”
“She is And she just becaine the primary Inventor in Dulcia’s Paris launch Quietly. Through shell accounts. No trail, no trace
He whistled “The bitch wordt know you’re holding her leash
“She’ll smile for me,” I said. “Call me bestle Kiss my cheek. Parede ber designs likà she’s Queen, And then she’ll fall,”
Salvatore walked to the window, looking out at the setting sun. “You really gonna play this slow game?“)
“I’m not playing, Sal,” I said), standing to full height. “I’m rewriting the whole fucking boami “a
He chuckled again, running a hand through his hair. “God, I missed this version of you. The woman who looked at fire and lit her own match
I walked over to the bassinets where my babies slept 10
Lucian Strong and quiet Always watching with those deep, knowing eyes.
Loud Dramatic Fierce already.
And Caelum Calm Peaceful. My little sky
Tased each of their foreheads. They deserve better than ashes”
“You give it to them,” Salvatore said behind me. “But know this.. Reagan’s not stupid. He’s dangerous, pissed off, and bleeding legacy.
coma for you “E
Isided without warmth “Good Let him. Let the king hunt the ghost of Iss queen.”
Salvatore stepped behind me, voice lower now “You want me to take him out?”
“to” I said “You always fight my battles, Sat Not this time. He took everything from me My pride My father My name. He doesn’t get to
d easy
He nodded slowly “And what about me7%
You didn’t for anything. You stayed when I didn’t choose you I was a fool to let you go “E
ΤΗ
Wang
I reached for his hand “Wait a little longer. The storm’s just starting
He looked at me for a long moment. “When this is done-
“When it’s done, I cut him off, “we’ll talk about what we could’ve been, Right now, I need to become everything they never saw coming.”
Salvatore kissed the back of my hand. “Then be her Be Elysia fucking Voss. Make the world bow.”
Later that night, I sat alone by the balcony, my laptop open. I watched the slow unveiling of Dulcie’s Paris pre–launch. Her voice giddy. Her eyes plastic. She gushed about “a mysterious, brilliant investor who believed in her vision.”
I sent her a voice message through the alias channel t
*Bonjour, Dulcie. You’re doing so well. I always knew you were almost meant for the spotlight. Just don’t trip on your heels, darling ”
Her reply came seconds later. “Elysial You’re watching? I’m dying. You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to my brand. I can’t wait to meet you in person
I smiled, teeth bared.
“Oh, you will. And when you do…”
I didn’t finish that thought. I didn’t have to l
The day was coming X
They thought I burned.
But I survived. Not as Danica. As vengeance, Wrapped in silk. A storm cloaked in lace.
The queen? She’s back. And this time, she’s the one pulling every string. Every step, every y smile, every cruel thread of karma–1
I’ll weave it into their end
