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Chapter 1
It was time. The ritual was days away, far too soon, but Max hadn’t been ready for the conversation he needed to have with Titus. He probably still wasn’t. Waiting longer simply wasn’t possible, because it needed to be done before the ritual. Titus might even make the right choice. Maximillian Villareal, the younger rather than the elder, wasn’t a visitor Titus wanted to have, especially as he shouldn’t have been able to get through the wards. Pretending not to be home was tempting, but that wouldn’t get him the answers he needed. Maybe Reuben was right. “What are you doing here?” “This isn’t a conversation we should be having…
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Chapter 7
Chapter 6 Not thinking about Dante was impossible. There were stories about the connection between two souls, but Anne never entirely believed them. Being close to him… it didn’t change anything. He wanted it to, dreams drawing him to her, until the time came when they met. A moment when she had no choice but to accept those stories were real. Soulmates existed, and hers was in her life, at the worst possible time, although with a brother like Titus there was no right one. Dante was new magic. Even friendship was an impossibility. Titus promised the time would come when she’d be free to live her own life, but…
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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 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 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 10
Chapter 9 “I talked to Titus, and there’s no chance of him changing his mind when it comes to this ritual.” “Do you know why?” “He dislikes the Fitzgeralds.” Anne wasn’t going to bring up his insistence he was doing it for her. “He lied about their power, saying they stole it.” “Stole it?” “From others. I can’t see it.” “There are those who have, in the past, but they were old magic, Anne. Like us.” “All Titus wanted was a reason to keep me away from them until the ritual.” “Keeping them from learning the truth before.” “I had to promise.” “We can work around it easily enough.” “Mama,…
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Chapter 9
Chapter 8 “Mama told me there’s a ritual you’re planning with Father.” Anne studied Titus, who looked straight back, his eyes staring deep into her. “Are you playing with dark magics?” “Does it matter if we are?” “Yes, Titus, it does, especially in this house. One mistake…” “Do you really believe for a moment I haven’t thought of that?” “What I worry about more is whether or not you care.” “I care about you.” “That’s not what I mean.” “No one else matters, Anne.” “Yes, they do. Mama matters. Zachary matters. Even Papa.” “Maybe to you.” Even with his honesty there was no sign of Anne’s memories. Titus knew it…
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Chapter 8
Chapter 7 The book was the same, passed from one generation to the next, but the people were different. After the last mistake… Titus crossed his arms. It wasn’t worth thinking about. Nothing would be the same again. He’d made certain of it. All he needed was his sister by his side. Anne didn’t remember, and that was for the best. With Dante… maybe it was inevitable, the three of them alive at the same time again, considering everything that came before. Finally it was time to bring an end to him, for good, to keep them from going in the same circles. Soon it would be the two of…