Desmond remained frozen on his knees, staring blankly at the crystal flute on the altar. The fake diamond sat at the bottom of the glass, magnified by the golden liquid, looking absurdly large and entirely worthless. The bubbles clung to the cheap stone, rising to the surface in a mocking, silent pa

The silence in the grand cathedral was absolute, broken only by the ragged, wheezing sounds of Desmond Vance trying to draw breath. He stared at Vivienne’s outstretched finger, then down at his own heavily bandaged left hand. The puzzle pieces finally snapped together, slicing through his arrogance

The hysterical laughter echoing from the cathedral floor was a grating, terrible sound. Desmond Vance writhed under the heavy grip of Vivienne’s security detail, his eyes wild and bloodshot as he stared up at her.

"You doomed it!" Desmond crowed, his voice cracking with manic delight. "You doomed