"Thorne. Hey. Open your eyes, Thorne!"

Seraphina slapped Kaelen’s cheek, her palm leaving a smear of red across his pale skin. He groaned, his eyelids fluttering as a harsh, wet cough wracked his chest.

"Don't touch me," he rasped, though there was no heat in his voice. He tried to swat her hand

"No," Seraphina whispered, her weapon trembling. "No, that's... that's not possible."

Julian smiled, drawing a silver revolver from his jacket and pressing the barrel directly against the girl's temple.

"Surprise, my queen," Julian whispered maliciously. "Drop the gun, or your supposedly dead sis

The penthouse office of the Obsidian Syndicate smelled of rain, expensive leather, and bleach.

It had taken three weeks to scrub the stain of Julian Croft's rebellion from the organization. Three weeks of relentless, calculating violence. Seraphina Vance had not slept more than four hours a night.