king no sound on the wet concrete. He walked to Bailey an

of a wounded victim. She took his hand and le

ob compared to the fire in her soul. She stared at the two people she

looked down at Chloie like she was

ood bubbling at her lips

owly toward Chloie. He reached into his coat and pulled out a black

forcing her to look at him. "You were always so pathetic," he said, hi

urning. "The fire," she said, her voice barely a whisp

urst out laughing. It was a cruel, ugly

a burning building and got half his skin burned off?" he said, drawing

ed into place. Chloie's world shatt

ctory. "I found his family signet ring on the lawn. That's all it t

like a dying animal. She turned her head, her eyes

e heavy chair with her, the rop

. He stood up, took a step back, and aim

etched, her fingers scraping against the gritty concre

id, his voice flat.

a roar that swallowed the

ckward. She landed hard, a warm, wet sensation spreading

of Clay and Bailey seemed to come from ver

turned her head and fixed her gaz

corners of her eyes, mixing with

thought, a silent, burning vo

n. And I will prote

mise, her breath hitched. The

s was replaced by the thumping bass of electron

ing bolt upright, gasping for air, in