ring the night - thick cream cardstock, gold-embossed let

Event – Sterling To

is was the kind of stage Damian Sterling liked to set - hi

spread out beneath me like a glittering sea. The air was crisp, smel

n high tables and glowing heat lamps. The sound of champagne

g dark in his hand. Even at a distance, he radiated control - the kind t

ound me anyway. It was like

he said when

replied, trying to k

hing that answer. "I wanted to see how

nd

way that felt like desire, but ass

fecting the art of blending in, of being unremarkable. But he

d, another voice - wa

ep talking like that, she m

at his wrists. Where Damian was all precision and stillness, Adrian was movement - a

ed," Damian said wi

ow you the view from the south side. It's the only angle where

rpened. "She's fi

t was there - a silent push and pull, as if I were so

rom Damian and toward Adr

flicker of something else in his eyes

onversation fading behind us. The city stretched out end

aid, leaning on the railing, "that the people m

. "Is that how y

see my brother. I prefer

onder if "unpredictable" was ju

ure standing in the shadow near the rooftop exit.

or K

eath

but by the time he turn

g?" he asked, s

"Just thought I s

expression told me he d

-

ptying in slow waves. I left with the last gro

part of the city, the wet pavement gleaming under the streetlamps. I s

that same prickle along my spin

er my should

of footsteps echoed behind me

e quic

fast when yo

fr

catching the sharp line of his jaw. He looked perfectly composed, as i

be here," I sai

w step toward me. "And right now, the board needs

said. "And I

he thing about bloodlines, little he

my pulse hammering.

ady solved. "I could. But I think I'll stay close. Just to se

y, disappearing into the shadows as

-

the door and leaned agains

I'd been running from since I was fifteen. Power, leverage, bloodlines. And now

park, the city light

thing: I couldn't outrun

mean I had to

t