gia's car coasted up the winding drive flanked by manicured hedges and ancient oaks. Moonlight filtered through the branches, tracing silv

rtress from the earth, all sharp corners and whispered threats. Weston had once told her it was

or war black sheath dress, high neckline, hair swept into a twist so tight it hurt. Every inch of

opened before

pine stiff nodded. "Miss Va

rse th

ble floor gleamed beneath chandeliers that dripped crystal tears. The hallway stretched before her like a dare.

r end sto

s undone. His hair was artful chaos, eyes twin embers flickering in

" he said, his voice low,

id I

ped aside to let her pass

t ask wha

igh ceilings, a grand piano in one corner, art so old it p

piece, a gold ring heavy on his left hand, the Ashford family crest etched deep in its surface. His hair was snow-white, slic

, Lucy Ash

gal. Imm

ramed cheekbones sharp enough to draw blood. Her eyes ice blu

oice cool silk, "the p

inch. "Thank you

ad. "I didn't say

came toward her, shoes silent on the rugs. "You're here. That's what matt

en I had r

nd dry. "Oh, I'm sur

the couch. That would mean she thought herself their equa

like water. "You and Weston were always... complicated. And

re to enter

nds. "We don't entertai

nterested

. "Then you're in

, drink in hand, eyes flicking between them lik

exander. "You invited me here.

his eyes. "Tell me. How far a

hit the roo

ned. She heard Lucy's quiet exhale, the smug pleasur

for love, for a future. But they'd s

as I need to,"

d. "Good. Then this sho

rink into the fire.

spoke

eturned, whispering so

d, porcelain-perfec

back of her neck prickling as she

They believed in strategy. In bloodlines a

eir board. A piece the

had her

to survive th

g room wa

ything glittered glassware, silverware, crystal decanters and yet the air held an unmistakable chill. Georgia stepped through the

st a dozen Ashfor

s turne

worn

kline low enough to challenge propriety but not enough to give them what they wanted

er glass, "she certainly kno

as she moved to the only empty chair strategically

" she said smoot

bouche," said a tall man to her rig

said without wa

Elliot said, his teeth too w

ters, but none of it reached her ears. They weren't speaking for pleasu

of champagne. "A toa

air. Glasses rais

nd more importantly, to her future. May h

ed laughs. Even Weston shifted

s. "Permanent's such a strong word. Let'

of a viper. "Oh, darling. I a

eorgia didn't drink. Her sto

ned toward her husband and wh

gold digger," someone m

ied. "That would've m

glass down. "I

le went

going to insult me, do it properly.

Elliot chuckled.

side Lucy, lifted a

s performance sips of wine, bites of something glazed and garni

een... reacquainted?" a woman a

ks," Georg

rn so quickly," the woma

never left," G

ces. A grunt of amusement

minutes. He watched. Absorb

want him steppi

mething delicate and French and wasted on everyone.

estion behind

Bloodlines. Wh

smiled.

linked

" Elliot adde

to use both," Geo

on snorte

the table choke

st your flair for dra

in her chair. "Only

y, whispering something too soft for the rest to ca

ne more toast," Lucy said.

sat str

ate the formal engagement of Georg

of si

h

fted again. A few smiles t

s blood

ward Weston. His jaw was tigh

dn't

her glass high. "To

cold, her body humming with the

e said, voice like broken

asked yet? But it's inevitable, isn't it? After all...

turned

y grace masking th

lliot said, clapping

wanted t

His stare burned. But he

hat terrible silen

creaked without footsteps, walls murmured with secrets too old to name. Georgia stood alone in the hallwa

t meant t

ff the pressure boiling just beneath her skin. Lucy's

ga

Wes

aid a word. And that silence had

ndows veiled in shadow, and paused as she c

rooted her

were slightly ajar, golden li

oated out, shar

ght. She thinks s

s reply, smoother, colder. "Weston may not see i

ght. She leaned clos

h in silk. Dressed up pretty, playing t

she heard the glug of amber liq

"He still believes she c

pleased. "She's playing her part well. But

r palm to the wall

he real reason she retu

pa

voice droppe

long as she stays distracted with him a

nted. "Still.

e thinks she's strong enough to handle us?" She laughed, cruel and brittle. "We

s stomac

doesn't know?"

w the moment she does. That girl can

back the heat be

too close to Weston,

promised. "Becau

le

ack, heart slammi

oom was no longer id

oor c

fr

foots

Approa

ilent against the rug, pulse thundering as she ducked b

dy door

, coat slung over one a

ed, scanning the corridor

thing?" he aske

ead slowly. "No

, her body pressed flat

oward the shadows, her

eorgia thought

her come close. The deeper she think

turne

otsteps

the column, knees trembli

king she could fight

t sure what w

this: Weston didn

the

s a w

g hands, it