The city was quieter than usual, as if it too were holding its breath. From the penthouse, Justina Ashes could see the streets, still wet from an early morning drizzle, reflecting the neon lights like shards of broken glass. The calm, however, was deceptive. Even after every battle they had fought, every secret they had unearthed, there were shadows that lingered and shadows that whispered of dangers yet to come.

Carson Wills stood behind her, arms resting lightly on her shoulders, his presence ...