Isabella

We decided to remain in Nicholas's house until Damon's men finished the sweep. I found out that a few of them were injured, but not severely enough to warrant death.

Ambulances were called, bodies were taken away, and the injured men were treated. But most importantly, I had an ally. My eyes found the woman who sat beside me, her shoulders quivering. I reached into my purse and offered her a tissue to dab her tears.

 The woman had effectively wiped her entire makeup off her face. She looked different without makeup—her face pale, her lips thinner than I had thought, and her eyes startlingly hooded. The lack of...