-
Chapter 1
Stones on the window drew Anne down to the back of the house, where he stood waiting for her, the way he promised. Even though he said he wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye she couldn’t be certain he’d keep it – not when she knew how much he wanted to get away from Glimmerbrook. Jonathan stared into Anne’s eyes. He knew she wasn’t going to be happy with his decision, but if it was possible… the only option was to try. Titus had been in control of Glimmerbrook for long enough. It was time for someone else to take his place, and undo some of the damage from so many…
-
Chapter 36
“I don’t understand why you’re being so kind to me.” “There are many reasons, Anne. Your mother. Jonathan. Nora.” Natalie’s eyes met with Anne’s. “What I know is that you aren’t who some think you might be, because of your brother.” “All it took was one different decision, and I’d have been him.” Titus slipped silently through the door, hearing Anne’s last words. She wasn’t wrong. It was one of the reasons for the bond, to keep her from ever losing herself, with Titus more able to control the darkness. From the beginning it was obvious. Hence pushing Julian into the fire, for Anne. Natalie, however, might become a problem,…
-
Chapter 36
Chapter 35 “I don’t entirely understand why you’re being so kind to me.” “Anne, I was close to your mother. Even now I remember you after she died, how broken up you were by it, and I saw the person you are.” “Even though I’m the reason for all of this.” “No, you aren’t. The blame rests on one person – Titus.” As Julian slipped into the room he nodded. Natalie was right. It didn’t mean he liked her, not after what he’d seen of her in both Cornelius’ and Titus’ memories, but at least she had some sense. The more complicated emotions came from watching her show care to…
-
Chapter 1
Anne was exactly where Jacob thought she would be. He watched her, as she stared at the water in the fountain, probably thinking about the ritual. At least that would be on his mind with the timing, because it wouldn’t be long. It wasn’t as though Titus was ever going to change. She must have felt her eyes on him because she stood, looking directly at him. “Jacob?” There was a hope in Anne’s voice he hated hearing. Before Titus’ decision to leave Jacob in the past they’d been friends. At least he’d have said they were, with the chance of them becoming something more. They moved at the same…
-
Chapter 35
Chapter 34 “This could end without anyone getting hurt, Julian. All you need to do is make the right choice.” “It’s the right choice for you, Titus.” Eyes meeting, Julian shook his head, feeling the determination of the man he shared a body with. “How can I let twelve more people die, when I could finally kill you?” “For that to be possible you also need to kill Anne.” “No, I don’t, because I understand the bond between you better than you ever could. One thing I’m certain of is Father shouldn’t have created it in the first place. Anne was never truly able to make her own choices. Her…
-
Chapter 34
Chapter 33 “What happened?” Although the conversation they needed to have wasn’t going to be easy Anne breathed a sigh of relief at the sound of Natalie’s voice. “Do you remember anything?” Silence followed, but Anne didn’t push for an answer. However long it took it would help to know where to start. “Cornelius… he used dark magic, didn’t he?” “I’m sorry.” “There’s nothing to apologise for, Anne.” Natalie might thing so, but Anne disagreed. “He kissed me.” “Yes, I know. He told me the night it happened, because he thought I deserved honesty, and I can tell it’s not what you wanted.” “How can you tell?” “Rather than being…
-
Chapter 33
Chapter 32 There he was, exactly as Julian hoped. One of Titus’ closest allies, the darkness slowly transforming him every visit, until the time came when he was strong enough. From the emotions it seemed as though something had happened within, and it might end up being the reason to accept an offer of help. “Good evening.” The man looked at Julian, eyebrows raised. “Unless it wasn’t. Good, that is. Your emotions make it seem as though it may not have been.” “What are you?” “One of Glimmerbrook’s dead, Julian Ember.” “I’ve never heard of you.” “Titus didn’t want anyone to hear of me. So they didn’t.” “How long have…
-
Chapter 32
Chapter 31 “Let Anne see to Natalie. Natalie has nothing to do with this, and Anne…” “I care very little about Natalie. Anne is staying right where she is.” “Cornelius…” Eyebrow raised, Cornelius shook his head. “You’re really going to pretend, Titus?” Titus looked at Anne, who hadn’t yet moved. “Julian.” “At least you haven’t entirely forgotten me.” “How could I?” “No one else knows anything about my existence, thanks to you.” There was a fury in Julian’s voice which was to be expected. “Cornelius is more interesting than you think, but then it’s not as though you actually care. Only Anne matters.” “You took him to make use of…
-
Chapter 31
Chapter 30 “You’re welcome here, Dante.” “Thank you.” Dante looked around the small room, trying to wrap his mind around what he was seeing, because he knew about magic – he just had no idea what other people used it for. Not even Anne. “Being here…” “I know.” Celeste smiled. “Everything takes time.” Time they technically didn’t have. Every hour brought the ritual closer, and being there felt like a waste, yet Dante could see why he needed to know more. If he was truly going to help Anne it was the right choice to make. Combined they might be able to stop Titus, saving Glimmerbrook from tyranny. Celeste’s collection…
-
Chapter 30
Chapter 29 “This is going to be much easier if we’re both looking, Anne.” Cornelius sounded more amused than anything. “You’re the one who knows what you need.” Anne breathed in deeply. She wasn’t safe. There was no doubt about that. It was easier to feel how much he’d changed when they were in his home. “Cornelius…” “Please don’t act like you’re scared of me.” All he needed to do was get her further into the basement. If she went over to the other bookcase it would be so much easier. Only she wasn’t herself, and he felt her fear, in a way he’d never been able to before. Something…