-
Chapter 1
“Mother knows?” “Yes, I told her, and now I’m telling you, because I wanted us to be able to talk about this. With Leonora… she’s probably never going to like me, Celly. She doesn’t understand why we’re friends.” “I told her about the bond, thinking it might help her to understand you better.” “With things as they are it might be easier. There’s nothing I can do to stop Titus. Unfortunately he’s made his mind up.” “Had Mother made different choices she could have stopped this.” “She’s not wrong. The ritual… I don’t know how much I should say right now.” “Titus?” “Sometimes he watches.” “You never know when?” “No,…
-
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 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 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 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…
-
Chapter 28
Chapter 27 Leonora warned them, and she was right. There was no doubt the bond was affecting Dante more. Anne felt it. It existed. With time it could be as strong as the bond with Titus, logically. Unfortunately that was exactly what they didn’t have, and with Titus knowing… had there always been a plan? It was Titus. Of course there was always a plan, but the problem was not knowing what it might be. He knew Dante would be part of their lives at some point, without knowing exactly when, due to the limitations of whatever their father was able to share with him. Working round it was still…
-
Chapter 27
Chapter 26 Standing in Dante’s hallway, Anne wrapped her arms around herself, focusing on what they needed to talk about. “I didn’t think I was going to see you today, after what happened, but I’m glad you’re here. You’re right. There shouldn’t have been any expectations, and I’m sorry for how I acted.” From the way Anne was choosing not to look at him Dante didn’t think she’d accept the apology. “Honestly, I understand.” She breathed in deeply. “We’re here to talk about souls, mates, and bonds. This is Celeste Ember.” Dante glanced at Celeste. She was attractive, her eyes different to Anne’s. “Pleasure to meet you.” “Celly, this is…