The drive back to the mansion was silent. Chloe sat curled against the window, the weight of Valerius's words pressing against her chest like chains. Every passing shadow outside reminded her of the Ashen Kin's lair, of the way death had breathed down her neck. She kept stealing glances at him, but his profile was unreadable, chiseled and cold, jaw tight, eyes fixed on the road like steel.

Her stomach tightened when the mansion gates swung open and the car pulled in. She half-expected his fury ...