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Chapter 1
“Anne came by, with a warning.” “You’re surprised?” “Not surprised, Emory, because this is Titus we’re talking about, but… there has to be a way to stop him.” “He’s had lifetimes to learn, and grow his strength. We’re nothing in comparison to him. Going against him…” “I know.” “What did Anne say?” “Titus wants me to regret the choices I’ve made, by not only cursing me, but the entire Ember bloodline.” Emory studied Leonora. “It’s not only about you.” “Of course not. I’m simply another Ember going against him, and he can’t have that. “Do you think…” “Either I go to the ritual, where we both know what will happen,…
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Chapter 5
Chapter 4 “Cornelius…” “There’s nothing for you to worry about, Dante. I know Titus, and he’s a good person.” Something about the house felt wrong, and it wasn’t possible to understand what. He knew too little about magic. Dante studied Cornelius’ back. Was he making the right choice? It was the path he was meant to be on, whether it was the right choice or not. Magic changed his life, and there was no going back, the thought tempting. At least Jessica was safe, with no knowledge of Glimmerbrook. However things worked out she’d be free to live her life. Cornelius knocked on the door, and then they waited. If…
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Chapter 5
Chapter 4 Cornelius stood with his back to the door, mind on what needed to be done, but he still heard it when it opened, someone walking toward him. From the sound of their footsteps it wasn’t Natalie, which might have been a relief, had it not been for the fact they were most likely Anne’s. She wasn’t any happier with him. Anne looked down for a moment, working through how best to word things. There was nothing simple about the conversation they needed to have, and from the way Cornelius’s back tensed he was already prepared for an argument. He knew it was her, or at least suspected, which…
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Chapter 4
Chapter 3 An unwanted visitor, probably there on behalf of her brother, because it wasn’t as though Anne Lockwood had any other reason to speak with the members of the Council. If he thought she’d have a better chance he was very wrong. Their souls were scarred by their choices. “Leonora, I’m sorry to disturb you, but I was hoping we may be able to talk.” There was no easy response. Anne’s voice was gentle, hiding the truth of who she was, but there were those who knew, whether she wanted them to or not. Two old souls, shrouded in darkness. “What makes you think I’d want to speak with…
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Chapter 3
Chapter 2 “Titus, are you in?” Cornelius knocked on the door, mind still on Dante, and how lucky it was he’d appeared right when they needed someone. “I need to talk to you.” When there was no answer, Titus might have been in the basement or out in the garden, Cornelius knocked harder. “You almost never leave the house. If you’ve done the unthinkable today I don’t know if I’m going to be able to forgive you. Answer the door.” When there was still nothing, Cornelius knocked harder still. He should have at least been able to hear someone moving around. Titus looked at the door, Cornelius still on the…
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Chapter 2
Chapter 1 The power drew him, the way Dante knew it would, to someone who might be able to help. Ever since he woke one morning, his life changed by magic, he’d known he needed to find someone to teach him, otherwise he’d end up losing his sanity. Like his father. He’d hidden it well. Luck had Dante out that day, with his younger sister. By the time they returned… it was impossible to forget, no matter how much he tried. At least he’d been able to keep Jessica from seeing too much. She’d kept the memories of their family as they once were. The power coming off the stranger…
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Chapter 1
2012 Chapter 13 “This is the best chance we have, even with Leonora missing.” It wasn’t as though the Embers were powerful, but missing one of the Council could be a problem in the future. “We could wait.” “She’s the sole dissenting voice. I don’t want her to be able to convince the others.” “If we don’t have the twelve…” “We will, one way or another. You have nothing to worry about, Anne, because it’s never not worked out in our favour.” Titus never had doubts. He believed they were doing what was right, both for them and the Council. Anne chose not to argue. “This may be the first…
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Chapter 13
Chapter 12 “Where have you been?” At any other time it might have seemed like interest, but with things as they were it came across accusatory. “Out.” “I know you didn’t break your promise.” “You have some intelligence still.” “Protecting you is the most important thing, Anne.” “This is an argument we’ve already had, Titus.” “I didn’t mean to start another. How about we begin again?” Anne studied Titus. Memories swirled, and she didn’t know how many of them were from the past. “We can start again, but it’s not going to change what’s already happened.” “Can we talk? Somewhere away from here.” “Why would I want to talk to…
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Chapter 12
Chapter 11 “Anne’s already been by this morning.” Marion looked at Issac. “I didn’t know where she was going when she left. Titus was waiting in the kitchen, and watching for her.” “You never mentioned his… interest.” “For a long time I didn’t want to think anything of it, Issac.” “Other Lockwood siblings have been the same.” Marion closed her eyes. “You think…” “Anne’s having memories. Titus… we both know what the last Titus Lockwood was capable of Marion, even if there are those who have forgotten.” “Thaddeus asked. It was to make our son strong.” “There’s strong, and then there’s Titus Lockwood.” “Do you honestly believe my son could…
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Chapter 4
Chapter 3 The footsteps weren’t a surprise. Anne was predictable, she liked to spend her mornings at the Gardens, and if anyone wanted to talk to her that was where she’d be. It was rare she didn’t go, and on those mornings she knew Cornelius would be there, watering the plants, looking after things. Obviously there was a reason for that choice she hadn’t realised before. “Can we talk?” Natalie looked at Anne, who was focused on the plants in front of her. “I need your help.” Anne turned, her eyes meeting with Natalie’s. “Cornelius?” “Do you know what he’s planning?” “I think you’d be better off talking to Leonora.” “She told me there’s…