My heart pounded in my chest as I listened to Aunt Violet's chilling request for Asher to kill Xavier Nightshade. The room seemed to close in on me, and I struggled to comprehend the depth of her wickedness. How could she ask Asher to take someone's life, even if it was for the supposed safety of our son, Keiran? How could he ask Asher to kill his own father? When I glanced at my husband, Asher's expression mirrored my shock, but he maintained a steely resolve.

"You're asking the impossible," he said.

Aunt Violet's eyes narrowed with displeasure, but she didn't seem surprised by Asher's response. "I thought you'd say...