na's

ape of the Cruz estate came into view. This was the

not with a warm embrace, but with a suffocatin

in my chest. I ran toward

or decades, met me at the door, her face streaked with tears. "My la

ll. My grandmother, Grandma Elena, lay still in her bed, her face a ghastl

e I was imprisoned. I never even got to say g

when I left!" I grabbed Agn

y. It flared up a few days ago, and s

is our territory's

ave a chance. We sent for him immediately, signed a legally binding magical contract - notarize

fe, Brannon had hired him to "treat" Elen

I pressed, the terrible feeli

here. He was examining the mistress. But t

re's 'Moon Sickness' had suddenly worsened and she needed Dr. Lowe urgently. Th

ent white. A wave of pure, hot fury wa

Elenore's fake illness, he had stolen

her had passed from her illness. I never

g into my palms. I could not colla

es told me that the city's largest charity was holding its annual gala to

ith them to parade Elenore's "illness" and Branno

ed to put on a show, I woul

eep beneath a layer of ice. Tonight,

k gown, elegant but somber, designed

ver moon broach my mother had

ck in traffic. I pulled back the curtain an

s speaking in low, urgent tones to a man who looked like a

he posture, the entitled tilt of her head-I would

e was berating

chief to her lips. When she pulled it away, I

e, she used animal blood to fake c

fall, a cold smile

formance is about to have