ELLA

One by one, the members of the council recounted the details of the pact they knew. Each person’s statement left me more stunned than the last.

Every time Lucian glanced in Kade’s direction, I saw his expression alternate between annoyance, disappointment, and something else, an emotion I couldn’t quite label, but one that clearly wasn’t the rage pulsing through him.

As the council members spoke, I recalled the vision I had earlier, my ancestors making an agreement with the Blackthorns.

I hadn’t fully understood what I’d seen at the time, but now, hearing them recount the events in various ways that all led to the same conclusion, everything started...