The sapphire butterfly brooch shimmered in the palm of my hand, its deep blue glow radiant and unyielding under the light.

Matthew's eyes flickered. The faint, lingering smile that had played on his lips vanished instantly, replaced by something far darker—an ominous shadow falling over his face.

With it, my heart plummeted.

The air between us grew thick and suffocatingly still.

He still held my cold hand, fingertips poised just above the ...