ont of something that could on

es taller than most buildings, security cameras tucked under marble gargoyles, and walls so high t

hrough the gates, but she gripped her

oming, she had

n stepped out first, then

t it like it

walk,"

replied flatly,

ravel. She winced, but didn't complain. She

- a younger man with sharp eyes and a scar along his n

ing's re

said. Then, to

door like a man who had never once needed to look back. Liana hes

rk wood floors, walls lined with cold artwork. Not a picture of famil

and down a long hall. He opened a

r room," he

soft four-poster bed. A wardrobe full of clothes. A bookshelf lined with classics. Ev

beautiful, well-k

"What do you want

you," Damian s

even kn

voice dropped. "And until then, I

d and wa

r didn'

loc

-

e bed for what

think, to pie

me wrapped in whispers.

something he

de no

rom man to man. Her mother had died when Liana was fourteen. Since then,

thing specia

th five mil

ess

held secrets eve

errupted her thou

ressed in a simple gray uniform. She carr

. "You'll eat, shower, rest. He

y for

dn't a

, then left, locking

ken, a soft slice of cake. Too much food for

dn't t

omach grow

te an

ed against the cold glass. Somewhere beyond these walls

o longer part

s a pr

st in

she didn't re

-

elf a drink and watched the se

dn't

dn't

remember,"

nd him nodded. "Shou

ly. "We don't need her