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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,…
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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…
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Chapter 29
Chapter 28 “Anne made a good point. I need to understand the reasons for the choice you made, Dante.” “She was the reason for the journey I made to Glimmerbrook. The dreams of her… they gave me a reason to keep going, Celeste, after what happened with my parents.” “I don’t know much of the story.” “Maybe it’s better that way. What really matters is getting Anne away from Titus.” “To you that’s what matters, but it’s not going to be as simple as you seem to think, due to the soulbond. Although I wouldn’t say I know Titus I am certain this was part of a plan, potentially from…
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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…
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Chapter 26
Chapter 25 “There are more. I just don’t have space for all of them.” Anne studied the piles of books. “How many more?” “Enough for us to be here for the entire time we have.” Celeste sighed. “Soul bonds have fascinated the Embers for lifetimes, but we are missing more than I thought we would, possibly because your bond was created.” “Missing?” “Books aren’t here from some generations, mostly the early ones, which I think would actually be the most useful.” “From when one of the Embers was Titus’s ally.” “When I was talking to Mother she said she thought there might be a missing Ember. One not mentioned by…
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Chapter 23
Chapter 22 “I’m sorry for just turning up like this.” “Mother remembers when we were friends, Anne. This is strange, but she’ll work through it.” Celeste studied Anne. “What happened?” “Dante convince Cornelius to talk to me about the ritual, which was complicated enough, and then he kissed me.” “He what?” Anne shook her head. “From the way he spoke it’s something he’s thought about before. With the ritual so close he saw it as his last chance.” “Obviously he doesn’t know about Jonathan.” “Would it have stopped him if he did?” “You think he’d still have done it?” “Possibly. It was surreal.” “Cornelius knows about your soulmate?” “Yes, he…
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Chapter 22
Chapter 21 The room was normally Leonora’s safe space, with it being unusual for anyone else to enter, but if Celeste was going to learn anything useful it was where she needed to be. Books written by the Embers who came before filled the shelves. A couple might even have been written by Leonora herself. Finding what she needed would take time they didn’t have. It might have been easier to ask, rather than go searching alone, but bringing up Anne didn’t seem like the most logical thing to do. Titus’s decisions weren’t hers, and yet there were still those who blamed her for what he chose to do. Including,…
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Chapter 19
Chapter 18 After Anne’s visit everything became much more complicated. Loud arguments happened more often, Celeste’s parents unable to agree on what to do next, Titus an ongoing problem. He was working with dark magics, his soul scarred, and willing to use them on the Embers, his hatred burning deep. “Celeste, can we talk?” “You here to warn me about Titus?” “I’m certain you already know, and I have tried. He’s not willing to listen.” “Was he ever?” “No, he wasn’t, but this…” “Anne, don’t.” Their eyes met for a moment. “I remember the girl who was once my friend.” “Sometimes I don’t.” “How about you tell me what you…