ETHAN

I walked down the stairs at Ardent Towers with my blazer slung over my shoulder, trying to get my breathing under control. The Aetherstone deal was still fresh in my head, lingering like smoke, but it vanished the moment I saw her.

Elora sat in the far corner of the private lounge, poised like a queen. Her legs were crossed, peeking out from a slate-grey skirt that hugged her curves just right. Her back was perfectly straight, posture so sharp it could cut glass. Her dark curls spilled over one shoulder, catching the light from the golden fixtures above.

She held a tall glass of something deep red—a Bloody...