The morning sun filtered through my window, but it couldn't pierce the darkness in my heart. For days, I'd locked myself in this room, trying to accept the bitter truthI couldn't defeat Dominic. Not yet. Not with rushed plans and emotional outbursts.

The only way to kill him is to get close to him, I thought, staring at my reflection in the mirror. Take time. Plan correctly. Be patient.

But patience felt impossible when my parents' faces haunted my dreams every night. Last ...