able to make one see the corners where

events of the evening went on in her mind. Leo's words still e

ase that settled in her mind earlier hadn't been vanquished; if anyth

eart skipped. She picked up to call, the caller ID unknown but fa

side of the phone. She felt her breath seize for a second;

one she was scared she already knew. The voice

otten me. After all, you hold

d, the line went dead. Elara's firm grasp on

threats, a name known only in the dark circles: Marcus Hale. The ma

had so much tension in his jaw

Someone had infiltrated their inner circle. He rubbed his temples, trying to calm the rising storm in

ed up to see Stephen, his most trusted

oking around the room as though hoping

ale, sir. He's made contact, " Stephen said,

Leo's spine. He knew Marcus Hale to be a man with

led but his hands folded into a

said, and the control

nning through his mind, each more horrifying than the last. Wit

property," Leo said over his shoulder as he ran into the ha

oom. A sudden sound from outside the door stoppe

whatever was outside. The sound came a second time, louder

out softly, barely

azed toward the entrance, her heart beating wi

ched for a small decorating knife from

ain, this time accompanied by a

n," Marcus Hale said. It was a smooth voice, almost frie

so much. She backed away from the

desperate to call Leo, but the screen was brok

said amusingly. The door cracked as forc

ommanding presence, eyes searchi

knife, though she knew it was a laughable

d forward with an evil smile on his face. "Don't be afraid, Elara. I

infully. Hale followed her gaze and nodded. "Ah, so you know w

nt door went wide open, as Leo d

rd without hesitation. Hale didn't budge; instead, he

ched inside his coat and brought ou

ale. "Please don't. You don't have to do this," L

you, Leo. You took something from me, and now I'm going to rep

ond seeming like forever. Hale's fingers pul

e shot