Page 19

“London, no—” Vivienne snapped.

“Makes sure she gets there safe.”

Vivienne’s lips curled. Her hands clenched at her sides. She took a step toward him—and stopped. One look from London was enough. A single shake of his head. And I watched the strongest woman I knew…go still.

Guild moved toward me, taking my elbow. “Come on, Shakes. Let’s go.”

Go?

Go where?

The room rushed back in as we moved. Heads turned. Melantha stepped forward, fear tearing across her face as she mouthed the words. What did you do?

I shook my head.

I didn’t know.

Guild’s grip tightened as I limped. He didn’t slow, steering me across the floor toward the doors. This wasn’t happening to me…and yet—it was. I waited for someone to stop this. For one of the Daughters to step forward, blocking the way. Bethany. Melantha. Someone. Anyone?

But no one did. They just stared with wide eyes, glancing from Guild’s hold on my arm to my own panicked expression. At the last second, I looked back.

At them.

At London.

At Vivienne⁠—

Then the lights hit.

Too bright.

Everything disappeared.

Cold night air cut across my skin as we stepped outside. The music, the voices—it all dropped away.

Silence.

Guild opened the rear door. “In you get.”

I slid inside.

The door closed softly behind me. Muted. Final. Guild said something to the driver. A nod. A shift of movement. Then the driver stepped away.

Guild took his place behind the wheel, climbing in as the engine hummed to life.

We pulled out.

Headlights streaked across rows of cars as we slipped into the street, the building falling behind us.

Everything I knew—gone in seconds.

My fingers found my wrist, tracing the place his grip had claimed. The way he held me, that thick, calloused thumb caressing my knuckles, like I already belonged to him.

Questions tried to form.

Where are we going?

Why me?