The heavy air in the library felt super hot and thick, like a storm was about to break inside the huge room. Victoria Vane stood behind her dark oak desk, her old hands shaking so badly that her long diamond rings rattled against each other. Her face was completely pale, stripped of all her usual proud power.

Silas kept his dark, dangerous smile as he stood right next to Clara. His bright eyes flashed with pure victory, locking onto the scared old woman.

"What makes you think we haven't already agreed to share her?" Silas repeated his question, his voice smooth like warm silk, echoing off the high book walls....