Mood

put distance between myself and that hollow celebration.

one echoed from behind me. It was an arr

need to turn aroun

lady of the house?" Blanche Kensington'

past three years, she had been a frequent visitor to this manor, and her visits were always punctuated with sh

r face tight with worry. She moved to my side, a small

, insulting appraisal. Her gaze final

gift from my grandmother‑in‑law, the only person in this family who had eve

lips. "That's a pretty little t

s painted a startling, blood‑re

to protect it. "This was my grandmother‑in‑law's gift

s Kensington, you go too far! Tha

. She narrowed her eyes at Annie.

th noble could kill a human servant wit

gh the tension from the end of the

e in seconds. He moved to stand beside Blanche, a natural

arm. "Alton, darling, I just admired her bracelet. I only want

absolute. A skill the Vorrath

. He simply issued a command. "Av

d for, the man whose life I had made my own for three years. He wa

rted, my voice d

make me repeat myself. Don't ruin Blanc

per a hollow echo in my own ears. The last ember of w

d her with a look. I knew any more resistan

ut from a rage and disappointment so pr

ace. Slowly, deliberately, I began t

t smile spread acr

asp opening sounded like