“Wecanhaveitallback,Mia.”

Heslidhishandtocupmycheek.Histouchfelt

warmatfirst,butquicklyturnedhotter.Suddenly,Ifelthimpulsinginsideme,throughmyveins.Thistime
itdidn’thurt.Itfeltsensualandintimate,likehewasrubbingupagainstmysoulandembracingme.

Iwantedtopullawaybutcouldn’t.Imissedthistoomuch—thatconnectionandcloseness.Hewasthe

loveofmylife,andasmuchasIwantedtotellmyselfthatthiswasnotthesameman,theliewaswhatI
craved.Ineededtofeelhimcloseonemoretime.Ineededtofeelhisbreathonmyneckandhearhissoft,
deepgroansinmyears.Ineededtofeelhislipsandcockandhandstouchingmeeverywhere.Ineededto
fillthatholeinmyheartandbreatheagainevenifitonlylastedamoment.

“Thisiswhatyouwant,isn’tit?”Lusttwinkledinhisgrayeyes.Hepulledmeintighter,allowingme

tofeelhiserection.“There,yousee.Ihaven’tforgottenyoucompletely.Andwithtime,Imightremember
everything.Don’tyouwantthat?”

PRAISEFORMIMIJEAN’SUSATODAYBESTSELLINGKING

SERIES

“Complex doesn’t even begin to describe the plot or the characters in Mack. I was pretty much blown
awaywiththerangeofemotionsportrayedaswellashowsweptupIbecamewiththestory.”

—Sara,HarlequinJunkie

“ThewritingwassosuspensefulandwelldonethatIcouldn’tputitdown.”

—Leigh,GuiltyPleasures

“Iamnotdoingthisbookjusticehere.Flawlessread…Intriguingstoryline.Hotmainmalecharacter…
andstrongfemalecharacter.”

—SmartMouthSmut

“Itblewmeaway.”

—BooksforMe

“MysteriousandCaptivating.”

—BookAddictHaven

“Tense,well-written.Fantasticcharacters.Fantasticplotthatslowlyrevealsitself.Youneverknowquite
whichwayit’sgoingtogo,youjustknowyouwanttoarrivewiththesepeople.”

—ExistentialRabbit

“Heart-racing,mind-jumbling,infuriatingly-beautiful,steaming-hotandwhere-the-hell-is-the-next-one!”

—TheBookBell

“IsoloveaMimiadventure,fullofdrama,mysteryandsuspense.Thisbookkeptmyattentionfromthe
verystarttofinishandcapturedmyimaginationfullyandIlovedeverysingleminute.”

—MinxesLoveBooks

COMINGSOON:

LEATHERPANTS(TheHappyPantsCaféSeries,Book2)

AVAILABLENOW:

THEACCIDENTALLYYOURSSERIES

(ParanormalRomance/Humor)

AccidentallyinLovewith…aGod?(Book1)

AccidentallyMarriedto…aVampire?(Book2)

SunGodSeeks…Surrogate?(Book3)

Accidentally…Evil?(aNovella)(Book3.5)

VampiresNeedNot…Apply?(Book4)

Accidentally…Cimil?(aNovella)(Book4.5)

Accidentally…Over?(SeriesFinale)(Book5)

THEHAPPYPANTSSERIES

(Standalones/RomanticComedy)

TheHappyPantsCafé(Prequel)

TailoredforTrouble(Book1)

THEFATEBOOKSERIES

(Standalones/NewAdultSuspense/Humor)

FateBook

FateBookTwo

THEFUGLYSERIES

(Standalone/ContemporaryRomance)

fugly

it’safuglylife

IMMORTALMATCHMAKERS,INC.,SERIES

(Standalones/Paranormal/Humor)

TheImmortalMatchmakers(Book1)

Tommaso(Book2)

GodofWine(Book3)

THEKINGSERIES

(DarkFantasy)

King’s(Book1)

KingforaDay(Book2)

KingofMe(Book3)

Mack(Book4)

THEMERMENTRILOGY

(DarkFantasy)

Mermen(Book1)

MerMadmen(Book2)

MerCiless(Book3)

TENCLUB

TheKingSeries

BookFive

MimiJeanPamfiloff

AMimiBoutiqueNovel

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TENCLUB

PROLOGUE

MIA

I rolled out of bed, feeling unrested and sore and out of my mind with grief. It had been another rough
nightforme,oneofmanytocome,Iassumed.ButwhatelsecouldIdo?

You’llfindcoffee.Thenyou’lltrytofindawaytokeepbreathing.Becausethatwaswhatwidows

did.

AsIstumbledtowardmybedroomdoorwaytogocheckonthebaby,thephonerangonmynightstand.

ThecallerIDsaidMack.

“Hello?”
“Mia,Idon’tknowhowtosaythis,buthedidn’tstaydead.He’sback,buthe’snothimanymore.”
“What?”Iblinked.“Couldyourepeatthat?”
“Kingisback,Mia.Andhemadeitclearhe’snotlettingmeend10Club.”
“I’llcallyou,”Istartedhyperventilating,“back,”andpassedout.

CHAPTERONE

KING

Tonightcallsforacelebration.No,itisnotabirthdaynorananniversary.Menlikemedonotgiveadark
fuckaboutlife’sshittylittlemilestones.Wecareonlyforpowerormoney—samefuckingthing.Andafter
tonight,Iwillhaveenoughofbothtobreakthefuckingworld.

“Hey,baby,”saysthetoplessbleachblonderubbingherassonmycockovermyblackslackstothe

beatofthemusic,“I’mfreeafterwork.”

“Shutupandkeepdancing.”Womenlikeherdon’tcomeclosetodoingitforme,butsheisthehottest,

most expensive stripper in this private bar. A thousand dollars a minute. It’s pocket change to me;
however,everyoneheretonightnowwonderswhyI’mtreatingmyself.

JustasIhoped.
My eyes sweep the smoky, dimly lit bar filled with 10 Club members sitting at little tables,

whisperingintheshadows,makingtheirdealsandbarteringforwhateversadisticcrapwillgetthemoff
tonight—sexslaves,drugs,torture,murder,whatever.Anythinggoes.Ofcourse,they’realltalkingabout
me,aswell.

Ismileandtakealongvictorydragoffmycigar,ceremoniouslyblowingthesmokeintotheairabove.

I want them all to see me gloating. I want them talking to the other degenerate 10 Club fucks and
speculatingwhatIamupto.Becauseregardlessofwhatitis,they’llallwanttostealitfromme.They’ll
allwantapiece.

I’mcountingonit.
“That’senough.”Ipushtheblonde’sassforward,risefrommyseat,andstraightenmybloodredtie.

I’vedonewhatIcameforandcanalreadyhearthephonesvibratingwithspeculationaroundtheworldat
the hundred other 10 Club establishments like this one. “King is here.” “Something’s going down.”
“Whatdoyouknowandwhat’stheprice?”they’reallsaying.

They’llneverguess.Notinamillionyears.
I toss a thick roll of hundreds at the stripper, who goes on her hands and knees to fetch it from the

floor.Icanfeelherlust-filledeyesonmeasIstepoverherlikethedogsheis.Afterall,she’s10Club
property, not even human in my eyes. But she made her choice. We all have. No one is part of this
debaucherybyaccident.That’snottosaysomearen’tbackedintoimpossiblecorners,forcedtochoose
between things such as death or becoming part of our secret society comprised of two levels—the
powerfulandthepowerless.

Makethatthreelevels.Becausethere’sme.Atthetop.
Istrolltowardthesetofheavyirondoorsandmakemyexitintothedarkalley.It’srainingandwindy.

TypicalforaJanuaryinSanFrancisco.Personally,Ilikethesomberfeelofthisweather—fitsmymood.
Darkasfuck.

IamtenstepsfrommysleekblackMercedeswhenIhearfootstepssplashingthroughpuddlesbehind

me.Fromthesoundoftheshortstrides,Iknowit’sawoman.

Fuckingidiot.Doesn’tsheknowIdespisedesperation?AndIdefinitelydon’tpaytofuckstrippers

whoareownedby10Club.Godonlyknowswherethatpussy’sbeen.

I shake my head, pulling my keys from my pocket, and hit the unlock button on the remote. “Sorry,

sweetheart.Notinterested.”

“You’reKing,right?”
Thesoftvoiceisunfamiliar,soIturnmyhead.She’spetite,blonde,andmildlyinterestingtolookat;

however,it’shardtotelljusthowinterestingsinceshe’swearingagarishyellowraincoat.

“Who’sasking?”Isay.
“Yesorno,”shereplieswithahintofagrowlinhersweetvoice.
My,my.Aren’tweademandinglittlething?Idecidetoplayalong.Ofcourse,shehasnoclueIcan

snapherneckwiththetwitchofmyfingers.

“LetuspretendforamomentthatIhaverepliedwithayes.What’sinitforme?”Iask.
She steps closer, which definitely draws my attention. Most people fear me. They don’t know why,

theyoftendon’tevenrealizeit,buttheydefinitelyfearme.Thisonedoesn’tseemafraid.

Eitherthatorshe’stoodesperatetonoticeshe’sinthepresenceofsomethingblackhearted.
“Theysayyouarethemanwhocanfindanythingoranyoneforaprice,”shesays.
Ilikethewaythisconversationismoving.Itmeansshewantssomething,andnowthatthestreetlamp

abovehasgivenmeabetterlookatherlusciouslittlelips,I’mfairlysurewecancometosomesortof
arrangement.

Icockabrow,silentlyurginghertocontinue.
“I-Ineedhelpfindingsomeone.”
Someoneveryimportant,Ihope.BecauseIthinkImightliketoaddyoutomycollection.Icollect

many things, including people, although usually not for sex. I can get that without having to take on the
responsibilityofownership.Butforher,Imightmakeanexception.Herwavy,shoulder-lengthblonde
hairandwideblueeyesareatthetopofmylistwhenitcomestoturn-ons,butwhatreallygetsmeoffare
naivetyandfearlessness.Shehasplentyofboth.

“Goon,”Isay.
“Iwantyoutohelpmefindmyhusband.”
Tonightjustgotawholehellofalotmoreinteresting.BecauseIlovetakingthingsthatdon’tbelong

tome,andIsureashelllovebreakingaperson’ssoul.

Idipmyheadtogiveheragoodlook.Sheshouldseethefaceofthemanwhowillbefuckingherfor

thenextfewyearsuntilIgrowtiredofherandtradeherawaytoanotherclubmember,likelyoneofthose
sickfuckerswhoenjoysmakinglampshadesfromwomen’slegsandbreasts.LikeIsaid,anythinggoesin
10Club,justaslongasyou’vegottenbillioninthebankandmoneytopayyourdues—onebillionayear
—whichbuysyoucompleteimmunityfromanygovernmentanywhereintheworld.Ofcourse,weownall
the governments. How do you think so many sadistic pricks make it into office? Power and money are
everything.

Ileandownandletherdrinkinmydarkfeatures.Yes,lookintomyeyes,sweetheart.Seethepromise

ofsufferingintheircoldgraydepths.ButasIstarebackather,there’snothing.Nofearinhereyes.No
sadnessordesperation.She’svoidofallemotion.

Tonightjustgotawholehellofalotlessinteresting.It’snofunformeifthey’realreadybroken.
“Sorry.I’mbusy.”Iturnawayandpopopenthedriver-sidedoor.
“Wait.Aren’tyougoingtohelpme?”
“Icould,”Isayblandly,slidingintothecoolleatherofthedriver’sseat,“however,asyou’vepointed

out,Iamthemanwhocanfindanyoneoranythingforaprice.Youdon’thaveanythingIwant.”

She wedges herself between me and the car door I’m about to close. “Name it. Name your price,

King.”Shegrabsmyshoulderandmygroinfloodswithheatedlust.Isitbecauseshe’snottheleastbit
afraidandshouldbe?Probably.LikeIsaid,fearlessnessandnaivetymakemydickhard.

Ilookupather,decidingtomakeanofferthoughIwouldprobablybebetteroffgoinghometoenjoya

bottle of expensive scotch and prepare for my dinner party. No. I won’t be cooking or cleaning. I have
slavesforsuchmundanebullcrap.Thispreparationissomethingelseentirely.

“Mypriceisyou,”Isay,thinkingshemightmakeaninterestingtoy.
Shedoesn’tbataneyelash,whichissurprising.TheyusuallylookalittleoffendedorshockedwhenI

tellthemI’dliketoownthem.

“Nodeal,”shesays.
Ishrugandstarttheengine.“ThenI’mafraidwemustpartways.Goodluckfindinghim.”
“Ihavemoney.Alotofmoney.”
“Notinterested.”I’malreadyobscenelywealthyandwillsoonhavethekindsoffundsthatmakeor

breakGDPsoffirstworldcountries.Whatevercashshe’sgotisapittance.

IgiveherapushandsendherstumblingbacksoIcanclosethedoor.
“Wait!”Shegetsherfootingstraightenedoutandcomesatmeagain.Ialmostadmireherpersistence.

Almost.

“Ihavearing,”sheannounces.“I’mtolditcankeepapersonfromdying.”
Ipushbackontheheavydoortopreventitfromslammingintoher.She’sgotmyattention.Amanlike

me is always interested in items that bring back the dead or prevent people from dying once I do.
Especiallynow.

Iturnofftheengine,slowlystepfromthecar,andlookdownatherassheshrinksbackafewfeet.

That’swhenInoticesomething’sdifferentabouther.Thelightdoesn’tquitetouchher,butinsteadreflects
offanearlyundetectablesheenofenergysurroundingher.

Andwe’rebacktoaveryinterestingevening,indeed.Peoplelikeherarerare.Infact,theyarenearly

extinct.Imighthavehadsomethingtodowiththat,butwhatcanIsay?Inmyyoungeryears,Iwasn’tafan
ofherpeople.

“Howdidyoucomeaboutsuchanobject?”Iask.
Sheliftsherdelicatechindefiantly.Ifuckingloveit.She’sdancingwiththedevilandshowingsuch

bravery.

“Noneofyourbusiness.”
Suchbravado.Ichuckle.“Allrightthen,howdoyouknowitworks?”
“Ijustknow.Dowehaveadeal?Yesorno,King.”
ThatsoundslikesomethingImightsay,soIappreciateit.“IconfessIamintrigued;thereforeIwill

say yes. However, I should warn you that welshers are shown no mercy. If you do not deliver, for any
reason,youwillbelongtome,andIwon’tbekind.”

Thewomanfreezes.
Ah,thereitis.Fear.Myblackhearttingleswithdelight.Nowwearegettingsomewhere.
“Iwon’tbackout,”shesays.“Andtheringwillwork.”
“Verygood.”Islideacardfromtheinsidepocketofmycoatandhanditover.“Beheretomorrow

nightateight.I’mthrowingadinnerparty.”

“I-Idon’tunderstand.”
“I’m a busy man. You want me to find your missing husband, then we work when and where I say.

That’sthedeal.Takeitorleaveit.”Ofcourse,that’sacompletelie.Ihavenointentionofhelpingher,but
she will most certainly be useful to me. In fact, she’s exactly what I’ve been needing. Saves me the
troubleofhavingtokillmybrother’swoman.Fornow.

Shenodsincompliance.
“Very good. And don’t be late. Ever.” I return to my car, close the door, and restart the engine,

realizingthatshe’ssimplystandingtherestaringatmeandthatI’veforgottensomething.

Ilowerthewindow.“What’syourname?”
Shesuddenlylookslikesomeonehaspunchedherinthestomach—apainedstillnessinherface,and

shoulders hunched forward like she wants to be sick. I’m guessing it’s all sinking in. Yes, sweetheart,
you’vejustmadeadealwiththedevil.Actually,I’mworse.Athousandtimesover.Thereisnodivine
creationinmypast.Nopossibilityofregainingmywings.Iamthesortofmanwhomakesthisworlda
horribleplacetolivein.

Notevendeathdarestofuckwithme.
Ilookatthelittlewoman,wonderingwhatthehellshe’swaitingfor.“Well?”
“Mia.MynameisMiaTurner.”

CHAPTERTWO

MIA

This can’t be happening. I walked away from King, heading down the dark alley, feeling his soulless
eyes burning through me until I turned the corner. Those eyes, once a stunning blue filled with vitality,
werenowacoldpalegray.Hisheart,onceloyalandprotective,hadturnedcruelandgreedy.Everything
elselookedthesame,however.Tall,leanmuscledframedrapedinapowersuit.Jetblackhairanddark
thicklashes.Anelegant,handsomemanthatscreamedold-worldmoney.

Amonsterinsheep’sclothing.
Onceoutofsight,Idoubledover,tryingnottothrowup.WhateverhadhappenedtoKingmadehim

darker,moresinisterthanever,anditbrokemyfuckingheart.

Mybreathingbarelyundercontrol,Iforcedmyselfuprightandslidmyphonefrommycoatpocketto

calltheonlypersonintheworldItrusted:Mack.

ItranglessthanasecondbeforeIheardthatdeepfamiliarvoice.
“Ifoundhim,andyouwereright.”Myvoicecameoutshaky.“It’snothimanymore.Oritishim,but

something’shappened.What’sgoingon,Mack?Pleasetellmeyouknow.”

“Breathe, Mia. I can’t understand you. And why the fuck did you go and see him? I told you he’s

dangerous.”

Being King’s twin brother, Mack would know. Less than a week ago, King had paid Mack and his

fiancéeavisit.Themessagewassimple:“Staythefuckoutofmyway,orIwillkillyou.”

Mackwantedtodismantle10Club—themostvile,twistedgroupofpeopleontheplanet.Apparently,

Kingdidn’tlikethatidea.Notentirelyshockingformanycomplicatedreasons,exceptforonesmallfact:
Kingdied.I’dbeenmourninghimfordays,tryingtomakesenseofthepain.

Andnowhe’sback.
IwashereinSanFranciscobecauseIhadtoseeitwithmyowneyes.Howhadhedoneit?Tothe

touchhefeltwarmandsolid.Itevensmelledlikehim,butIcouldtellhewasn’treallyalive.Notinthe
traditionalsenseoftheword,anyway.

“Whathappened,Mack?AndwhydoesKingrememberyoubutnotme?”
“Idon’thaveadamnedclue,Mia.”
“Sowhatarewegoingtodo?”Iasked.
“Iknowyoulovemybrother,but—”
“No,don’tsayit.Don’tyoudaretalkaboutlove,Mack.Notafterwhathedidtome.”Isqueezedmy

lidstight,butthetearscameoutanyway,mixingwiththeraindropsonmycheeks.

No.Don’tcry.You’redonewithallthat,Itoldmyself.
Iranthebackofmyhandundermyeyes,tryingtoseestraight,thinkstraight,breathestraight.Kinghad

beentheloveofmylife.OrsoI’dthoughtuntilhetradedmyhappinessandhearttosaveMack.

Yes.Hechosehisbrother’slifeoverhisownandoverbeingwithme.
No, I wasn’t being petty. No one could ever accuse me of that after everything I’d been through for

King.

Having lost my own brother over a year ago, part of me understood King’s choice. The other part

neverwouldbecausethefactremainedthatthiswasn’tthefirsttimeKinghaddied.Nope.He’ddiedlong

ago,tryingtosavehispeople.He’dthenspentthenextthreethousandasacursed,dark,disembodiedsoul
tryingtocomeback.Allthewhile,helearnedhowtofoolthelivingintothinkinghewasalive.Theman
hadpowersthatdefiedeveryruleoftheuniverse.

Andwhentheopportunitypresenteditselftome—tobringbackalife—Ihadtochoose.Mybrotheror

King.

IchoseKing.
Igavehimthatlife!Me.Itradedapieceofmysoulforit,goddammit.ForaslongasIlived,my

parentsandIwouldmournmybrother,Justin.Andforwhat?

After I heard that King had traded his life away and that the nature of his death would prevent him

fromeverreturning,I’dbeenbeyondconsoling.Icouldn’tbelievethatsomeonesostrongwouldeverdie
or that he would leave me without answers. Then his mark faded—a K he’d tattooed on my wrist that
connectedusphysicallyandmentally.

Hewasgone.Reallygone.AndIwasbroken.
Mackloweredhisvoice.“Iunderstandwhatyouwentthroughwhenhedied,butwhoeverheisnow,

he’sbeyondourreach,Mia.Andthisisbiggerthanyou,him,orme.Hehastogo.Otherwisemyplanto
dismantle10Clubfallsapart.I’msorry,butthere’snootherchoice.”

Iclearedmythroat.“Ithinkyoumisunderstood.Youcansendthatfuckerbacktohellorwhereverhe

camefrom,butnotuntilIgetwhatIwant.”

AprolongedsilencemarkedMack’ssurprise.“Whatdoyouwant?”
“IwanthimtoremembermesowhenIhelpyouendhim,heknowshewasbetrayedbythebrotherhe

sacrificedeverythingforandbythewomanheliedto.”

“Youcan’tmakethisaboutrevenge,”hesaid.“YouandIandanyoneconnectedtouswillneverbe

safeaslongas10Clubisaround.”

Iwasn’tafraidofthem,butMack’sperspectivecamefromadifferentplace.He’dbeenoneofthose

slaves.Hestillhadnightmaresofthethingshis“owner”didtohim.

“Mack,”Isaidfirmly,“Iagree.Theyneedtogoaway.Butwhataboutme?Whataboutmyjustice?”
He grumbled a curse. “I won’t allow you to risk your life because you’re hurt or angry and not

thinkingstraight.Kinghastodieasquicklyaspossible.”

Hurtandangry?No.Iwasfuckinglivid.Iwasdementedlypissedoff.Andyes,Iwasdefinitelynot

thinkingstraight.Iwasoutofmygoddamnedfumingmind.

Iranmyhandovermyrain-drenchedhair,shiveringwithagustoficy,wetwind.Ineededtogettomy

car—anairportrental—butwithmyheadfilledwithsomuchchaos,Icouldn’tquiterememberwherethe
hellI’dleftitorwhatthedamnedcarlookedlike.EverythingfromthepointwhereI’dreceivedthephone
callathome,aboutKingbeingback,tothepointwhenIsawhimjustnow,allfeltlikeabadacidtrip.Not
thatIwouldknow,butIimagined.

Mybadtripisstillgoing…“Okay.Andthenwhat?WhathappenswhenyoukillKing?”Iasked.
“Ipretendtobehim,takehisplace,andkilloffthemembers.AllIneedarenames,whichKingmight

havehiddensomewheresincehemanagestheclub’smoney.”

I wondered how Mack could be so strategic yet casual about killing his brother. The two were

connected in ways I couldn’t begin to understand. My best guess was that Mack didn’t truly believe it
wouldeverbeoverforKing.He’dcomebacktwicenow.Perhapshe’dcomebackagainafterMackhad
takencareof10Club.

“AllI’maskingistogivemeaweek.Justoneweek,”Isaid.
“Todowhat?”
“Iwanttomakehimremember.Iwanttoknowwhy…”Icouldn’tfinishmysentencewithoutfeeling

likeabroken,patheticwomanscornedevenifmyemotionswerejustified.

“Forfuck’ssake,Mia,”hegrowled,“hewillkillyouifyousomuchasbataneyelashthewrongway

ordispleasehim.ThatmanisnotKing.Heisnotmybrother.Heisthefuckingdevil.”

“Youdon’tknowwhatheis,andyouhavenorighttotellmewhattodo.”
Mackdrewasteadybreathandletitoutwithaloudgroan.“IsthereanythingIcansaytokeepyou

awayfromhim?”

“No.”
“ThenI’llgiveyouaweek,butthere’sonecondition.”
“What?”
“Ineedyoutogetintohiswarehouseandfindlotninety-four.”
Oh,God.Notthewarehouse.Bad,badthingslivedinsidethatthree-storybuilding,andtheywould

eatyoualiveifyouwerenotwelcome.

“What’slotninety-four?”Iasked.
“Idon’texactlyknow.”
Ahard,ice-coldshiverrippledthroughthedeepestlayersofmyskin.Hewaslying.Icouldfeelit.

WhywouldMacklie?ItrustedMack,andnowhedidn’ttrustme?

Iswallowedbackmyanger,realizingIwasallonmyown.
Hecontinued,“It’ssomethingKingmentionedonceinpassing.I’mhopingIcanuseittoputanendto

10Club.”

Morelies.Icouldhearitinhisvoice.
“Sure. I’ll do what I can,” I lied, thinking I might try to get the mystery object du jour but would

refrain from handing it over. If Mack wasn’t coming clean with me, it was for a reason—our interests
conflicted.Anditdidn’tmatterifMacklovedme.Hewasstubborn,justlikehisbrother,andhealways
didwhathethoughtwasbest.“Imightneedmorethanaweek,though.Kingdoesn’tknowme,sohe’snot
justgoingtogivemethekeys.”

“Oneweek,Mia.”
“Itmightnotbepossible.”
“Youseducedhimonce.Doitagain.”
SeduceKing?Ipinchedthebridgeofmynose.Thisversionwasfarmoreevilandcruelthantheman

Ionceknewwhohadbeencursed,dead,andsearchingforsalvation.Eventhen,whenhe’dlivedinpain
forsolong,therehadbeengoodinsidehim,fightingtostayalive.ThatwasthepieceofhimIfellinlove
with, and it was gone now. I couldn’t fathom trying to fake my lust, and even if I could, he’d see right
throughme.ThebestIcouldmanagewouldbetomaskmyrageandkeepmytruefeelingshidden.

“I’llfigureitoutsomeotherway,”Isaid.
“Youalwaysdo.Callmeinafewdayswithanupdate.Andbecareful,Mia.Ican’tbetheretosave

you.”

Thecallended,andIrefrainedfromtearingoutmyhairoryellingatthetopofmylungs.Instead,I

laughedwithbitternessandlookedupatthedarksky,lettingtherainrinsethesaltytearsfrommyfreezing
face.

HowcouldIpullthisoff?BecausehellwouldfreezeoverbeforeIallowedKingtotouchmeagain.

I’dratherdiethanlookintothosehypnoticgrayeyesthatwereonceasparklingbluewhenhewasalive.I
would do everything in my power to keep my sentimental emotions—the searing lust I once had, the
profoundloveandtrustwe’dshared—underlockandkey.Iwouldhavetoplaythisanotherway:Beat
himathisowngame.

Andthistime,Iknewhistricks.Afterall,Iwashiswife.

CHAPTERTHREE

IhadbeentothishomeonlyoncepriortoKinghavingitremodeled.NotbecauseKinghadn’tinvitedme,
butbecausehe’downeditforovertwohundredyearsandtosaythehousehadanunsettlingvibewasa
giantsugarcoatedunderstatement.

Why?
It’sdifficulttoexplain,butbeforeImetKing,Iwasatwenty-five-year-oldmarketingmanagerwho

neverquitefitin.Don’tgetmewrong,Ididwellandmypeerslikedme,butmyempathyforothersand
caringnaturewerenotconsideredvaluabletraitsinsuchacutthroatenvironment,soIalwayssuppressed
them.ButwhenImetKing,heopenedmyeyesandhelpedmeunderstandthatIwasaSeer,theproductof
a long bloodline of women who possessed various abilities. Me, I could see things that the naked eye
couldn’t.SoKingsawmeashispersonalbloodhound.Iwouldfinditemshewanted.Hewouldhelpme
findmymissingbrother,nowdeceased.Oh,andKingwouldownme.

Desperatetimes.Andthebeginningofaverylong,complicatedrelationship,onewhereIeventually

hadtogiveupmygifts—anotherlong,complicatedstorythatinvolvedstayingalive.Intheend,however,
IendedupwithKing.Amanwhowalkedintoaroomandmadeyoufeelequalpartslustandfear.Three-
thousand-year-oldkingscoulddothattoaperson.

Anyway, the first time King brought me to his elegant San Francisco home, sitting high on a hill

overlooking the Golden Gate, my skin iced over and my heart turned galloping mad. My entire body
violentlyprotestedbeinganywhereneartheplace,andI’drefusedtoevergoback.

Untilnow.Yippy.
Iapproachedtheclearglassfrontdoor,takingcarefulstepsupthecementwalkwayinmythree-inch

redheelsandlongredsatindresswithmatchingeveningbag.Kingonceboughtasimilaroutfitforme,
andIhopeditmightjarhismemorythoughIhadnocluewhyhe’dlostit.

Irangthedoorbellandsteppedback,craningmynecktogazeupthetoweringfaçadeofthefreshly

remodeled home, now a modernist affair of smooth white stucco, stainless steel, and glass. King had
trashedhisoldVictorianforsomestrangereason,buttheviberemainedunchanged.

Creepyasfuck.
A twiggy woman wearing a skin-tight black pantsuit, her dark hair slicked back into a sleek bun,

sashayedtothedoor.Shehadelegantbones,deepoliveskin,andvacanteyes.Herdispositionreminded
meofa10Clubslave,butherphysicalcharacteristicsremindedmeofKing’sservantsbackinCrete,his
homewhereInowlived.No,hehadn’treturnedsincehismostrecentdeath,andIdoubtedhewould.For
somereason,anythinghavingtodowithmenolongerexistedinhismind.

Why?Icouldonlymakewildguesses.
Thewomanflashedaflimsysmilewithherbrightredlipsandslowlylookedmeover.I’dwornmy

longblondebobcurly,justthewayKingliked,andI’dputalittlebronzeronmypalecheeks.IguessI
didn’tlookfancyenoughbyherstandards.

Toobad.IworeadressandthatwasaboutasfancyasIgot.
“Ms. Turner,” she said with snit, “King is displeased you are late. He says I am to pour you a stiff

drinkandyouaretojoinhimimmediately.”

I’dcomelateonpurpose.TherewasonceatimeIwouldn’tdaredefythisman,butthosedayswere

over.

Thistime,we’replayingbymyrules.Hewasgoingtohatethat.
Iswallowedmyurgetosmirkandenteredthefoyer.“Idon’treallydrink,butthankyou.”
Thewoman’sshallowsmileflippedupsidedown.“ButKingsaidIwastogetyouadrink.”
IfIdidn’tknowanybetter,I’dsaytherewasasliveroffearburiedbeneathherinsistence.Otherwise,

whywouldherpantiesbewaddingupsimplybecauseI’drefusedacocktail?Heownsher.Hehasto.He
wasprobablyfuckingher.

God,Ihateyou,King.
Ifeltmyfaceturnaniceshadeofpissyred.“Kingcangofuckhimself,”Isaidinthesweetestvoice

possible,“whichIwillpersonallylethimknowifyoushowmetohim.”

Sheraisedherdarkbrowsandgesturedtowardalonghallwaytotheleft.
I gave her a cordial nod and followed along, trying not to notice the perfect lines of her waist and

hips.

Iquicklyshovedmyjealousydownadeepdarkholeidealforstoringemotionsthatnolongerserved

meorwouldonlyleadtoself-pity.Irefusedtobethatwoman.Irefusedtofeellesserorweakbecause
he’dleftme.Hewastheweakone,theflawedone,themanwhomadepromiseshedidn’tkeep.Me?I’d
foughtlikehelltodorightbyhim.Ihaddonerightbyhim.

Wepassedseveralcloseddoors,andtheeeriesilencecreptintomyearslikevenomousspiders.
“Whereiseveryone?”Iasked.
The woman turned the corner and stopped in front of a narrow closet door. “Right this way.” She

pusheditopentorevealadimlylitstaircasewithanotherdooratthebottom.

Fuck. That’s the basement. I suddenly would’ve given everything to have my Seer abilities back.

TheymighttellmewhatIwasinfor.Ontheotherhand,maybeitwasforthebest.Icouldn’tletfeargetin
mywayandtherecouldn’tbeanythinghappy-shinydownthere.

“Thankyou.”Isteppedpastherandgrippedthecoldironrailingwithmyclammyhand,takingcare

nottolosemyfootingorcatchmyhemwithmyheels.

Fuckme.Thissucks.Iforcedmyshakylegstodescendthestaircase.WhenIreachedthebottom,I

pausedwithmyhandonthehandle,hearingrhythmicmurmuringthroughthedoor,likeapersonprayingor
chanting.Orholdingaséance?

Well,that’snotatallfuckinghorrifying.IreallywishedIcould’vetakenthatstiffdrink.Andworn

pants. Much easier to run away in. Because whatever King was up to, it couldn’t be good. To my
knowledge,Kingdidn’tnormallysitaroundtryingtoconversewiththedead.Hewasthedead.Orhehad
beenandthenhewasn’tandnowhewasoncemore?

Shit.Ihavenoclue.Butthepointwasthatmostsoulsboundtothisworld,duetostrongemotional

ties,curses,orwhatever,didn’tgenerallywalkaroundinteractingwiththelivingandinvestingmoneyor
flyinginprivatejets.Kingwasspecial.He’drefusedtoletalittlethinglikedeathgetinhisway.He’d
spent thousands of years seeking out ways to pass himself off as the living. Once he got that down, he
realizedheneededhelptoachievehisultimategoalandstarted10Club.Isupposeditwasgenius.Heput
hissupernaturaltalentstowork,doingfavorsforclubmembers:killingpeople’senemies,huntingdown
lostorstolenitems.Inreturn,10Clubmembersbegged,borrowed,andstolethingshewantedorneeded,
likeagiantevilswapmeetforreallycrazyrichpeople.Hisendgame,though,wasfindingawayback
intoalivingbreathingbodyandtoendhispain.Andhehad.Butitwaswithmyhelp.Not10Club’s.

OnlyhetosseditallawayforMack.
So now the question begged, what was King doing behind this basement door? I slowly turned the

handleandpushedopenthecreakywoodendoor.“Holyshit.”

CHAPTERFOUR

“Nice of you to fucking join us, Ms. Turner,” said King, while I locked my knees to keep them from
buckling.“Bythelackofpunctuality,Iamguessingyoudon’tactuallywanttofindthatwaywardhusband
ofyours.”

Oh,shit.Bestrong,Mia.Bestrong.Mybodytwitchedwiththeurgetorun,butmybrainsaidstay.I

wanted to know what the hell King was doing. It might explain why he’d come back from the dead a
secondtime.

I took a small step inside the basement, which reeked of incense and the coppery aroma of fresh

blood.Icouldonlyassumeitcamefromthedrippingredsymbolspaintedonthecementwallsandfloor.
OrperhapsitcamefromthecrimsonmessonKing’scrisp,once-whitetuxedoshirt.

Idon’tthinkit’scomingfromthoseguys.Fiveelegantlydressedpeople,twowomenandthreemen,

lay on the floor, their bodies stretched out, face up, with the tops of their heads touching to form what
looked like wheel spokes. They seemed to be the only items in the basement not covered in blood, but
theylookeddead.

“Whatthehellis-isgoingon?”Ispokesoftly.
“What the hell does it look like?” His steely gray eyes stuck to my face like an angry lion ready to

pounce.

“It-itlookslikeyoukilledyourdinnerguests?”Isteppedback,nowwonderingifhe’dintendedfor

metobethesixthspokeinthebodywheel.

BeforeIcouldutteranotherword,Kingmaterializedinfrontofmeandgrabbedmywrist.Ishrieked

andtriedtopullback,buthisgripfeltlikeshardsofglasscrawlingthroughmyveins.Itwashim.Hewas
insideme,tryingtodigaroundinsidemyhead.He’ddoneitbeforeandtherewaslittleIcoulddotofight,
exceptfor—

Iliftedmykneeandstruckhimstraightinthegroin.Heletoutagrunt,releasingmeanddoublingover.

Iguesshecanstillfeelpain.Luckyme.

I turned and bolted for the stairs, my shoes making it impossible to climb as fast as I wanted or

needed. Halfway up, my right heel snagged the hem of my dress, launching my body forward. Fuck! I
caughttherailingwithonehand,butmyweightsentmeswingingsideways.Partofmybackandshoulder
slammed into the plaster wall with a thud. I grunted and felt the railing sliding right from my hand,
followedbymybodylaunchingsidewaysdownthestairsinatwisteddive.IknewthemomentIlanded,
thepainwouldfollow.No,Ididn’tmeantheungracefultouchdownonthecoldbasementfloor.Imeant
Kingwouldshownomercy.

My body hit the bottom step at an awkward angle, driving the sharp corners into my rib and hip. I

extendedmyarmtobreakthefallandfeltmywristbendataweirdangle.Iwailedandsortofbounced
downtherestoftheway,myfacelandingnexttoKing’sshinyblackdressshoes.

Heflippedmeontomybackandglareddownwiththosepalegrayeyes,hisjawtickingaway.Iknew

itwasoverforme.Mackhadbeenright.Ishouldn’thavecome.

Withoutaword,hereachedformyarm.
“Wait!Pleasedon’tkillme.Wehaveaba—”
He seemed possessed as he grabbed my throbbing wrist and pulled a small blade from his coat

pocket.

Oh,shit.Thisnightmarejustkeptgettingworse.“King,stop!Fuckingletmeg—”
Hesliced.
Iscreamed,halfoutofpain,halfoutoffear.Whatthefuckwashedoing?
Withfingersofbloodtricklingdownmyarm,hedraggedmeacrosstheroomtowardtheotherdinner

guests.Hereachedforsomethingonthefloor,andIrealizeditwasasmallmetalwineglassthatreminded
meoftheonesusedfordrinkingport,withastemandfluteshape.

“Stop!Whatareyoudoing?”Iwhimpered.
Hescrapedthelipofthecupupmyarmtocollecttheblood.
“Motherfuckingpsycho!Letmethehellgo—”
“Silence,Ms.Turner,”hesaidcalmly.“Youaremakingthismuchmoredifficultthannecessary,and

mypatiencewithyouworeouttenminutesago.”

Tenminutesago,I’dbeeninmyrentalcar,onmywayhere,latebyafewminutes.ItwassoveryKing

tobeoutofpatiencebeforehispatienceeverbegan.Notthatitmatteredinthismoment.

Kingdroppedmyarmandturnedawayfromme,steppingintothehumancircle,whereheplacedthe

cup.Istartedtocrawlaway,draggingmydressacrossthestickycementfloor,tryingnottothinkaboutmy
wristorthedrippinggash.

King began to recite a long string of words that fused together inside my mind, making them

impossibletodecipher.Withinmoments,theairbegantowhipfromeverydirection,mycurlslashingat
myface.Ifelttheroomspinning,andthenjustlikethat,theroomfelldark.

CHAPTERFIVE

“Ms.Turner?”Mybodylyingoverasoftsurface,IfeltawarmhandstrokemycheekandheardKing’s
hypnoticallydeepvoicecutrightthroughme,rubbingintimatelyagainstmythoughts.Mybodystirredwith
delight,triggeringasoftgroan.

Oh,howImissedthat,thefeelingofclosenessweoncehad.IsupposeIsensedourconnectionfrom

thefirstmomentwemet,butafterI’dbroughthimbacktolifeandendedhistorment,itdefinitelybecame
stronger.

Nevertheless,ourbondhadalwaysgonebeyondthephysicalandemotional.Itwentbeyondmanand

woman in love. It felt as though our souls had been forged from the same fiery heart that refused to be
pulledapart.Sometimes,Ifeltourconnectionmostwhenwelayinbed,barelyawake,theworldquiet
around us. With my eyes closed, I’d listen to his soft deep breaths, feel the warmth of his body on the
sheetsbesideme,andIknewinmyheartthathebreathedbecauseofme,helivedforme.SometimesIfelt
thedepthsofourconnectionafterhe’dmadehard,hotlovetome.Hislargebodydrapedovermine,he
wouldbreatheintomyearandwhisper,“Iloveyou,Mia.Iloveyoumorethanlifeitself.”“Iloveyou,
too,”Iwouldsay,wonderinghowlifecouldbesocruel,yetultimatelyleadtosuchabeautifulplace.I
wasthewomanwho’dwontheheartofanenigma,apowerfulkingwhorefusedtorestuntilhefounda
wayforustotrulybetogether,evenifithadmeantlivingthroughthreethousandyearsofhell.

Ourlovewasn’tafairytale.Itwasepicandimpossible.Yet…therewewere.
However,ourtimeofblisswouldbeshort-lived.Lessthanayear.Thelasttimewe’dbeentogether,

Kinghadbeenfrantic,tryingtokeepMackfromendinghisownlife.Mack,too,hadsufferedfromabreed
ofcursesthatmadehisexistencealivinghell.Deathwassupposedtobehisonlywayout.“Ican’tlive
withouthim,Mia.Ijustdon’tknowhow,”Kinghadsaid,nearlypushedtotears.Atthetime,Iunderstood
MackhadbeenKing’sonlyreminderofatimewhenhe’dbeenaliveandgood.ButIneverthoughtKing
wouldtrademeforhisbrotherevenifIlovedKingsomuchthatIwould’veneverasked.Becausethat
wasthefunnythingaboutlove;youwantedwhatwasbestforthepeoplewhoownedyourheart.Youtruly
did. Yet, at the same time, there was a pettiness to love, because when you were not chosen above all
others,atinypieceofyourheartcouldn’thelpbutfeelalittlebroken.Whywasmyhappinessnotmore
importanttohim?Whywasn’toursonmoreimportanttohim?Archonwasonlythreemonthsold,for
fuck’ssake.Hadn’tthatmeantsomethingtoKing?

“Ms.Turner,itistimeforyoutowakenow.”King’shypnoticallymasculinevoiceburrowedintomy

skull.Hewasdiggingaroundagain.Ihatedthathecoulddothat.“Tellme,whoisthischildofyours.”

Crap.IhadpurposefullyavoidedthinkingofArch.Ididn’twantKingknowingabouthim.Saferthat

way.

My eyelids peeled apart. “Stay out of my head, King,” I mumbled, noticing that he’d bandaged my

wrist.

“Afraidthatisnotmystyle,Ms.Turner.”Hesmiledatme—justforamoment—butfromwhatIcould

see, it was genuine. And it made my heart pump equal parts of sadness and joy. No one in this world
couldevermakemefeellikehedidwhenhesmiled.

Fuck,Mia.What’swrongwithyou?
Ithrewupamentalwallbetweenus.ImighthavelostmySeerabilities,butIstillknewhowtoclose

offmyemotions.Ofcourse,Kingcouldsimplydecidetogoscratchingaroundinsidemybrainagain,soI

offeredsomethingtosatisfyhim.

“Mychildisdead,”Ilied.“Complications.”
“A shame, to be sure.” He narrowed his penetrating gray eyes. “Am I to assume this is why your

husbandvanished?”

“No.Myhusbandlovedus.”
“Soyoubelievetherewasfoulplay.”
I looked away, my eyes scanning the small guest room with light gray curtains, white carpet, and a

darkpaintingofademondancingwithacherubaroundafire.Atalldresserinthecornerhadabottleof
scotch—myfavorite—setoutonasilvertraywithtwoglasses.

“Ithinkheleftofhisownfreewill,”Imuttered.
“Yousimplydonotknowwhy.”
Inoddedyes.
“Well.”Kingstoodandslidhishandsintothepocketsofhisblackslacks.Hisshirtwasstillabloody

mess.“Inmyexperience,thesethingsgenerallycomedowntoanotherwomanor—”

“No.”Myheadsnappedinhisdirection.“Hewouldn’tdothat.”
“Or,”hecontinued,“yousimplyweren’tenoughforhim.”
“Fuckyou.”Myeyesnarrowed.“Whatthehellwouldyouknowaboutenough?”
“Nothingyoumightconsiderasacredential.”Hedippedhisheadofthickblackhair.“Now,ifyou’ll

excuseme,Ms.Turner,Imustgetchangedandattendtomyguests.”

“Youmeantheonesyoumurderedinthebasement?Andwheredoyougetoffcuttingme,youpiece-

of-shitbarbarian?”Myhandsbegantotrembleasthefreshmemoriessnappedbackintomyhead.

Helaughed.“Iassureyoutheyarealiveandwell.Thankstoyourblood,”headded.“Ifyoucareto

seeforyourself,youmaycomedownandjoinusfortheparty.”

Sure.Everygirlwantstomix,mingle,andsnackafterbeingassaultedbyherevildeadhusband.

Dreamyashell.“Yippy.Berightdown,”Isneered.

Hetskedandslowlyshookhishead.“Thenstayhereifyoulike.But,Ms.Turner,donotleavethis

house.Youaretoremainherewithme.”

Ilaughed.“Idon’tthinkso.”
“Do not push me, woman, or I may be forced to take another look inside that complicated head of

yoursanddiscoverwhereyournot-so-deadsonisandinvitehimtostaywithme.”

HeknowsIliedaboutArch.Mynostrilsflaredandmyrageexplodedlikeanunderwaterbomb—not

alotofnoise,buttheripplesweredeadlynonetheless.Nobodythreatenedmybaby.Ourbaby.

“I’llkillyoubeforeIeverletyoutouchhim,”Isaidinacontrolledvoice.
King turned to leave. “Let me know if your wrist gives you any issues.” He reached for the door

handle.“IknowaSeerwhohasthegiftofhealing.I’msureshe’llcomeifIask.”

Iheldbackagasp.Fuckingbastard.ThatwomanwiththegiftofhealingwastheonlyotherSeerin

existence I knew of: Theodora—aka, Teddi, Mack’s soon-to-be wife. She was a good woman who’d
sufferedenough.AndIhighlydoubtedthatKingwouldask.Nuh-uh.Hewouldthreaten.

Iliftedmychin.“I’llmanage.”
“ThenIshallseeyoudownstairs.IwillsendMelediatohelpyouintoanewdress.”Helefttheroom,

andthechillleftwithhim.

Asshole.Nowhe’dcrossedtheline.He’dhurtmeandthreatenedourchildandTeddi.Mackhadbeen

right.Kinghadtodieasquicklyaspossible.Becausethatmanisnolongermyhusband.

Iwouldhavetogetcloserandwaitfortherightmoment.

Now wearing strappy black heels and a backless black dress that King “just happened to have lying
around,” I descended the staircase from the second floor and followed the voices. This time, the house
buzzedwithlife.No.Notafuckingjoke.Joy,laughter,andglassesclanking.

Istoppedatthebaseofthestairstothesideofthefoyer,myhandwhite-knuckledaroundthebuttof

therailing.

Whatthefuckisgoingon?OneminuteI’mlivingthroughascenestraightfromtheExorcistandthe

nextI’mlisteningtothecelebratorysoundsofmingling?

“Ms.Turner,veryniceofyoutojoinus.Don’tyoulooklovely.”Kingappearedafewfeetawayand

held out his strong hand. My body lit up. He looked like a fairytale prince—tall, imposing, and
unfathomablyhandsomeinafreshtuxedo.

God.Andthoselips.Soblatantlysensual.Theywerethesortoflipsawomanlookedatandjustknew

hecouldkissandsuckand—

Imentallyelbowedmyselfandstraightenedmyspine.Stayfocused,Mia.Thatbeautifulface,withthe

proudcheekbonesandsquarejawcoveredinblackstubble,wasjustafaçade.Underneathwasthedevil,
cruelandheartless.

The pain too much in my bandaged right arm, I extended the left. King showed no sympathy for my

woundsandescortedmeintothepartybeingheldinthelargelivingroomwithgleaminghardwoodfloors
andmodernwhitefurniture.Therewasafullbarinonecornerandapianointheother,whereawoman
played soft jazz. A set of open French doors led out to an empty torchlit terrace. It seemed everyone
wantedtobeinside,toasting,talking,smiling.

Icouldn’tdigest.Fiveofthesetwentypeoplehadbeenfrontandcenterinthesataniccircleofdoom

earlierthisevening.Nowtheysnackedonappetizersandsippedchampagne?

“Don’tlooksosurprised,Ms.Turner.Itoldyoutheywerealive.”
But…but…“Sowhatwasallthatinthebasement?”
His silvery eyes twinkled with smugness. “It doesn’t concern you.” He grabbed my elbow and

shuffledmetothecorneroftheroom,directlyinfrontofthepiano,wherehepulledmeagainsthiswarm
hardbody.

“What are you doing?” I protested quietly. I knew better than to make a scene at a 10 Club party,

whichwaswhatthiswas.Ithadtobe.

“We’redancing.”Heflashedhistrademarkcharmingsmile.
Iignoredhispowerfulheartbeatandhowheseemedlikeanythingbutdead.Iignoredthevibrantlook

inhiseyesandthepinktinttohisolivecheeks.Icouldn’tallowmyselftothinkabouthowheusedtohold
meandhowitmademefeelnakedfromtheinsideout.Hewasoncemydrug.

“Youdidn’tanswermyquestion,”Isaid.
Hesmirked,butdidn’tspeak.
“Mywristissprained,”Isaid.“Youcutmeandusedmyblood.I’mfairlysurethisinvolvesme.”
“Concernandinvolvementaretwodistinctthings,Ms.Turner.IsuspectaSeerknowsthedifference.”

Hisbodyswayed,andheforcedmetomovewithhim.Hisgriparoundthebaseofmybackfelttighter
thanapairofhandcuffs.

“I’mnotaSeer.”Notanymore.Ofcourse,myhusband,therealKing,knewthat.
“Doyoutakemeforanidiot?”
“IgaveupmySeergiftsinexchangeformylife,whichissomethingyoucouldn’tpossiblyknow.But

yes,Ithinkyou’reanidiot.”

Kingloosenedhisgripandchuckled.“Touché.SoamItoguessthatyourhusbandhadsomethingto

do with you losing your Seer abilities?” He spat the word husband like it was the name of his worst
enemy.

“Whydoyoucare?”
“Icareaboutmanythings.”
“No.Youareaheartlessmonster,”Ipointedout.
“Amonsterwhocanhelpyougetwhatyouwantaslongasyouappeasehim.”
“Byappeasedoyoumeanyou’dliketobleedmeout?”
He shook his head but maintained that wickedly charming smile. Or was it just wicked? “How you

pushme,Ms.Turner.Itisasifyouhaveadeathwish.”

“I’mstandingheredancingwithyou,somaybeIdo.”
“Becauseofhim?Thispatheticexcuseofamanwholeftyouwithavoidinyourlifeandabroken

heart?”Heloweredhisheadandwhisperedintomyear,“Icanmakeyoufeelspecialagain,Mia.Ican
giveyoualifewithoutworriesorpain.Icantakecareofyoureveryneed.”

What?Hecan’tbeserious.Notthathecouldunderstandtheironyofthesituation,butattheveryleast

hehadtoknowthathittingonmewasludicrousgivenwhathe’djustputmethrough.ButthatwasKing.
Bold,sureofhimself,fearless.Thatwaswhatmadehimsoirresistibletowomen.

Luckilyforme,Iknewexactlyhoweasyitwastobeseducedbyhispowerfulpresenceanddangerous

beauty.

“No,thanks.Icantakecareofmyownneeds.”Iflashedatightlittlesmile.
His eyes narrowed. He didn’t like being shot down. “Very well. If you are happy with your lot in

life…”

Ilookedupathim.“Tothecontrary,King.Icouldn’tbemoreunhappy.Ithinkit’sasad,sadthing—a

manwhobreakshisvows.Ithinkyoucallthosesortsofpeoplewelshers.Icallthempathetic.”

Helaughedintotheairwitheyelidspinched,hisdeep,deepvoicericochetingoffthewalls.
“Whatthehellissofunny?”Isnarled.
Helookeddownatmeandresumedhisswaying.“Ifindyourgrittyattituderefreshing.”
“Thereisnothingrefreshingaboutlovingsomeoneandsacrificingyourownfleshandbloodtohelp

him,onlytobebetrayed.”

King’ssnidegrinfadedfromhisface,andhestoppedmoving.Hiseyesglazedover,andhesuddenly

seemedoffinanotherplace.

Isherememberingsomething?Ihopedso.Ihopedhe’dsnapoutofwhateverhadtakenaholdofhim

andmadehimforgetme.

“King?Thereisanurgentcallforyou,”saidasoft,submissivevoicetoourside.
IlookedtofindMeledia,thewomanwho’dansweredthedoorearlier.
Hequicklysnappedto.“Whoisit?”
Shenervouslyglancedatmeandthenbackathim.“Yourbrother.”
“Whatdoesthatfuckerwant?”hegrowled.
“Hewouldn’tsay,sir.Onlythatitwasimportant.”
Kinghesitatedforamoment.“TellhimIwillbethereinaminute.”Heglanceddownatmeandwas

abouttosaysomething,butstoppedandjuststared.

“Yes?”
Heplacedhishandonmycheek,andthoughIknewhewasn’tmadeoffleshandblood,thewarmth

stillfeltreal.“IthinkIoncelovedawomanlikeyou.”

Myheartjoltedinsidemyribcage.Hewasremembering.

“Whathappenedtoher?”
“Ithinkshemisunderstoodme.”Heturnedandlefttheroom,leavingmestandingtherewithhisguests

givingmesideglances.

Whatthehelldidthatmean?Yes,hehadtoberemembering,butwhathadI—thewomanheloved

once—misunderstood?BecauseI’dfuckinglovetoknowbeforeIhelpedkillhim.

CHAPTERSIX

Despitethepaininmyarm,Idecidedtostickaroundanddoalittleminglinginsteadofleavingtheparty.
Tworeasons:One,Iwantedtofindoutwhathadjusthappenedinthatbasement.Itcouldaffecthowwe
dealtwithending10Club.Andtwo,IwantedKingtoseemewalkoutthatfrontdoor.Iknewthatdefying
himwasadangerousmove,butnowIknewheneededme—oratleastmyblood—andIwantedtokeep
theballinmycourt,nothis.Kinglikedachallenge,andthebiggerthehurdle,themoreenticing.Ifhesaw
measunattainable,itwouldonlystrengthenhisresolvetoownme.Hewouldpursue,waitingfortheright
moment to strike. What he didn’t know was that I was playing his game, waiting for my own moment,
whichmeantgettingcloseenoughtogainaccesstothatwarehouse.Lotninety-four.

Damn. How did my life end up being such a backstabbing mess? I was like the poster child for

drama.

Forexample,whenKingandIfirstmet,ithadbeenatimeinmylifewheneverythingwasinruins.

Mybrother,Justin,anarcheologistwho’dbeenworkinginSouthernMexico,hadgonemissing,andIwas
doingeverythingIcouldtofindhim.Notonlyforme,butformypoorheartbrokenparents,whostilllived
notfarfromhere.However,everydoorIknockedonseekinghelphadbeenslammedinmyface.Noone
caredifJustinhadbeentaken.Nottheembassy,notthelocalauthorities,noone.Thenarandomwoman
toldmeaboutKing—themanwhocouldfindanythingoranyoneforaprice,soIwenttoseehim.Hehad
noissuesofferinghelp—akatakingadvantageofmydesperation—andsteamrollingovermylife.

Thistimehadtobedifferent.
There were people I cared about and needed to protect from this dangerous world. Thankfully, our

son, Archon, was safe at home in a modern-day fortress King had built for us in Crete. King had
personallywardedtheentireestatetokeepanything“bad”away.Hetoldmethatnotevenhispastcould
crossthepropertylines.I’dlaughedatthetimebutnowwonderedifmaybeKingknewsomethingwas
going to happen. After all, when it came to King, he was like a master chess player, able to see the
outcomelongbeforeeveryoneelse.Eitherway,ImissedArch,whowassaferathomewiththenanny,but
Ihadtofinishthis.Kinghadtodieandstaydead.Ijusthadtokeepremindingmyselfthatthisevilman
wasnotmyhusband.

IwalkeduptothebarandorderedaglassofwinefromJeff—hisnameaccordingtothebadgeonhis

redvest.AsJeffpoured,amancameupandorderedascotch,neat.Irecognizedhimfromthebasement.

“Hi,niceparty,”Isaid,hopingIcouldfindoutsomething.
Themanglancedatmeandnodded,butdidn’tspeak.
“Sofriendly,”Imutteredundermybreath.Perhapsthisman,“thehumanspoke,”didn’tliketalkingto

strangers.

IturnedmyattentionbacktoJeff,whoplacedmywineinfrontofmeoveracocktailnapkinandthen

proceededtopourvodkaintoamartinishakerfortheman.Notgood.He’daskedforascotch.

Figuring that the bartender was King’s property, and not wanting him to rub a 10 Club member the

wrongway—generallyalethalmove—Iintervened.

“Youcandothemartiniafteryouservethegentlemanhisscotch.Neat,”Iadded,jerkingmyeyesat

theman,hopingJeffwouldgetthehint.

Jeffgavemeaquicklookbutcaughton.“Asyoulike,ma’am.”Jeffservedthecorrectdrink,thanksto

me,andthegentlemanwentbacktominglingwithoutgivingeitherofusanotherglance.

Jeffleanedin.“Thankyou.Ihadnoideawhatheordered.Ijusttookastab.”
That’sodd.“Youdidn’thearhimsayscotch?”
Jeffshookhishead.“NotinEnglish.”
Iwasabouttospeakwhenmybrainmadeaninaudibleclick.Myeyesgravitatedtoatattooonmyleft

wrist.I’dhaditforoverayearnowandbarelythoughtaboutitanymore,butitwastrulyanincredible
tattoo.Notfortheartwork—reallyjustaninfinityshape—butbecauseithadbeengiventomebyanother
Seer, Hagne. She was long dead and had been a truly evil person, but the power in the ink was not. It
allowedmetounderstandandspeakanylanguage.

“WashespeakingEnglishearlier?”Iasked.
Jeffbobbedhishead.“Yeah,heorderedavodkamartini.”
“InEnglish.”
“Yes,”heconfirmed.
Whatthehellwasgoingon?
“Thanks.” I took my glass and made my way out through the French doors onto the torchlit terrace.

Wow.Itookinthestringsoflightshungaroundtheedgeoftheyard,thecandlelittableswithwhitelinens,
andanicesculpturewithabig“10C.”Ihadtoadmit,Kinghadgoneallouttomakethislooklikeareal
10Clubeventratherthanasatanicritual.

IslidmyphonefrommyredsatineveningbagandcalledMack.Itwentstraighttohisvoicemail.
Shit.That’sright.He’stalkingtoKing.
“Mack,” I said after the tone, “it’s Mia. I saw King performing some ritual in his basement. There

were five people lying on the floor and a chalice he filled with blood. My blood. Now they’re all
chitchattingandsippingdrinkslikenothingeverhapp—”

“Thereyouare,Ms.Turner.”King’smenacingvoicecamefrombehindme.
Ifroze.Dangit.“Gottago.”IendedthecallandturnedtowardKing,whostilllookedlikehisusual

stunningself.“Iwasjustcheckinginwithafriend.AndI’mafraidIhavetogo.”

King’shostileexpressionturneddownrightlethal—lipstight,jawclenched,browsfrowning.“Ithink

youaremistaken.”

Ichuckledandshookmyheadatmyfeet.“Oh,King.Ilovethatyouthinkyouownme.Butthatwasn’t

thedeal,remember?”Ismiledupathimdefiantly,usingeverythingIhadtomaskanyfear.Hecouldkill
me with the snap of his fingers if he liked. “Or are you a welsher, King? Because I seem to recall our
arrangementbeingmyringinexchangeforyoufindingmyhusband,whichyouhaven’tdoneyet.”

Hestaredwiththosestunning,predatoryeyes.“Rightyouare,Ms.Turner.AndsinceIamamanofmy

word,”hesteppedaside,“youarefreetoleave.”

Igrinnedlikeasmugbitch,butstilldippedmyheadingratitude.“Haveagoodnight,King.Callme

whenyou’rereadytogetseriousaboutcompletingourtransaction.”Iwalkedbyhimandgrazedhisarm.
Afamiliarwarmthshotthroughmyentirebody,sparkingadeeperheatdowntomycore.Itwasasifmy
bodycravedhim,neededhim.Ididn’twanttofeellikethat.Notforhim.ButIdid,andIhadjustdonea
piss-poorjobofhidingmyemotions.

Crap.Bigmistake.
Kinggrabbedmyarmandwhippedmeback.Mybodyslammedrightintohim,elicitingagasp.
“Whothefuckareyou?”hegrowled,holdingmefirmlybytheshoulders.
Hefeltit,too.OhGod.Thatmeantsomepartofhimhadtorememberme.
Iblinkedupathim,tryingnottonoticetheheatofhisstrongmalebodyforgedfrompurewill—his

iron,unbendablewill.

“I’mnotsureIknowwhatyoumean,”Isaidalltooinnocently.

His eyes twitching with equal parts irritation and anger, he said, “Don’t fuck with me, Ms. Turner,

becauseIwillkillyou.”

“I’mnotinterestedinfuckingwithyou,King.Ijustwanttofindmyhusband.”Icrackedopenthedoor

insidemyheadandallowedmyemotionstotrickleout.Iwantedhimtofeelthehonestyinmywords.

“No,”hesnapped,hisdeepvoicefilledwithmenace.“You’reuptosomething.Icansenseit.”
JustthenIfeltice-coldrazorbladesslicingthroughmyveinsandKingpouringhimselfintomymind.I

gruntedinagony,tryingtofighthim,butIknewitwasnouse.ThiswasoneabilityhehadthatIhadno
skillstofight.

Suddenly,Isawhimandmestandinghandinhandonthebeach,thewarmwhitesandbeneathourbare

feetandtheturquoisebluesoftheMediterraneanstretchingasfarastheeyecouldsee.King’slongblack
hairflittedwithagustofwindandhisbarechestswelledwithsleekmusclesbeneathdeepoliveskin.His
livelyeyes,ashockingshadeofvividblue,werelikethewatersofCretehesomuchloved.

No.Idon’twanttoseethis.Myheartexplodedwithasoul-crushingache.Thiswasthememoryofa

momentwhenmylifechangedforever—whenKingwasalive,beforecurses,deaths,oranyofthat.Ihad
unknowinglyusedmySeerabilitiestogotohimandtraveledbackoverthreethousandyears.AtfirstI’d
thoughtI’dgonemadordied,butlittlebylittle,Ihadrealizedthatithadbeenreal.Ihadbeenwishing
witheverysparkoflifeinmyhearttoseehimasheoncewas,andmygiftsdeliveredme.WhatI’dfound
wasn’tasadisticbillionairewalkingontheedgeofsanity,searchingforsalvation,butapowerfulking
who deeply loved his people and would do anything for them. He served and protected them, and they
worshipped him like a god. His beauty as a person reached beyond words. That was the moment I
realizedIlovedhimandalwayswould.

“Whatthefuckisthis?”Kinggavemeahardshake,jarringmefrommyhypnoticstate.
Iblinkedawaymytearsandpushedbackmytenderthoughts.Hecouldscratcharoundallheliked,but

Iwouldneverlethiminsidemyheart.Notagain.

“Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout,”Isaidthroughtightlips.
Heshookmeagain,makingmyteethclack.“Whatwitcheryisthis?”
“Witchery?”Icoughedoutasnidechuckle.Foronce,Kingsoundedhisage.“Idon’tknowwhatyou

mean,”Ilied.“Maybewhatyou’reseeingisaresultofsecretlongingsfromyoursubconsciousmind.”

He snarled sadistically. “You and I standing on a beach, holding hands? Fucking doubtful, Ms.

Turner.”

“Ormaybeyoudreamofhavinglongflowinghair.ButwhoamItojudge?”
“Thinkyou’refunny,Ms.Turner?Let’sseehowmuchyoulaughwhenIstripthesoulfromyourbody

andofferituptoafewofmyfriendswhogetoffonbreakinglittlegirlslikeyou.”

I wasn’t afraid of 10 Club. I was only afraid of who I had to become in order to fight them. I’d

crossedthatlineonce,anditwasenoughtomakemerealizethatapersoncouldonlycrossitsomany
timesbeforetheycouldn’tcomeback.

“Sorry,King.Butyouscaremeaboutasmuchasabadburrito.Mightfeeluncomfortableforalittle

while,butI’vesurvivedworse.”

“My,howyouhaveawaywithwords,Ms.Turner.Let’sseewhatyouhavetosayinmybasement.”

Heyankedonmyrightarmandthepainshotintomyshoulder.

Iswallowedeveryouncelikeabitterpill,refusingtogivehimanysatisfaction.Iwouldneverbowor

shrivel.Nottohim.

Isnappedawaymyscreamingarm.“Ihaveawaywithdon’tfuckwithme,sobackthehelloffunless

youwantyourballskissedbymykneeagain.”

He shook his head. “I will never understand the colloquialisms of today. Crassness elevated to the

Neanderthalera.”

I pointed my finger in his face. “The next time you hurt me, cut me, or lie to me, King, my

colloquialismswillbetheleastofyourworries.You’llwishyou’dstayeddead.”

Hegavemealook,andIrealizedmyepicerror.
Shit.Mybloodpressureleakedthroughmyblackheelsintothecementbelow.Stupid,stupid,Mia.I

wasn’t supposed to know he was dead. It would require one of two things: I either had Seer abilities,
whichallowedmetoseehis“truecolors,”orIknewmoreabouthimthanI’dleton.

Fuck, fuck, fuck. Nobody knows anything about him besides me and Mack. Okay, and a few of

King’smosttrustedbodyguards.ButinKing’smind,Ididn’texist,sohewouldthinkI’dbeensentbyhis
brother,anditwasparamountthathedidn’tsuspectMackofanything.Icouldmisdirecthimandblame
oneofKing’sbodyguards,buthe’dkillthem.

“I’vebeentryingtogetmySeerabilitiesback,”Ilied.“ThebestIcanmanageisaflickerhereand

there.”Acompletepileofbullcrap.Iwouldneverbegettingthemback.TheancientSeershadtakenthem
frommeinexchangeformylifeafterI’dbeenstabbedbyoneofKing’spsychoticbodyguardswhohada
thingagainstme.LikeIsaid,myhistorywithKingwasalongandcomplicatedone.

King’shandlungedformythroatandsqueezed,hisbeautifulfaceatangleoffrighteningsnarls.“Now

Iknowyou’relying.”

“Youdon’tknowshit,”Icroaked.
“Whatgameareyouplaying?”hegrowled.
“Nogames.Iwanttoknowwhathappenedtomyhusband.Iwanttoknowwhyheleft.”
Hetiltedhishead,studyingmyfacewithintensity,andthensnappedhishandaway.
Istumbledback,pressingmyshakinghandtomyneck.
Kingwincedandgroundtheheelsofhishandsagainsthistightlyshuteyes.Whatwashappeningto

him?

“Tellme,”hegrumbled,“whereisthelastplaceyousawyourhusband?”
King didn’t do or say anything without a reason, so I hoped he asked because he remembered

something.Icouldn’tlie;IwantedanswersbeforeMackandItwistedtheproverbialknifeinhisback.

“Crete,”Isaid.
Heremovedhishandsfromhishandsomeface,andInoticeddarkcirclesunderhiseyes.Veryunusual

foraghostwholiterallywilledhimselfintoexistence.“Isthiswhereyoulive?”

“I’mfromhere—SanFrancisco—butyes.IliveinCretenow.”Inabeautifulhomeyoubuiltforus.

Weweresupposedtogrowoldtogetherthere.

Hisgrayeyeslockedontomyface.I’msurehefounditsuspiciousthatIlivedontheislandwherehe

wasborn.“Well,then,takemetothelastspotyousawhim.”

“Greeceisprettyfar.”AndnowherenearhiswarehousehereinSanFrancisco,whichIstillneededto

findawayinto.Lotninety-four.

“Thankyouforpointingthatout,Ms.—”
“Ifyou’llletmefinish;IwasabouttosaythatIdon’tthinkhe’sthere,sothetripwouldbeawasteof

time.”You’rehere.Rightherewithme,King.

“Iappreciateyourconcernfortheefficientuseofmytime;however,Iamabigboy.Averyancient

one,butyoualreadyknewthat,didn’tyou?”

“Yes.” I bobbed my head, wanting to buy a few moments to think. If we went to Greece, he’d be

closertoArchon,ourlittlebaby.Kingwasvolatileanddangerous,andfrankly,IhadnoideawhatKing
mightdowithoursoniftheymet.ArchhadmySeerbloodrunningthroughhim,andthough,tothebestof
myknowledge,thegeneonlyexpresseditselfinparticularwomen,thatdidn’tmeanoursonhadnovalue.

Seerswerenearlyextinct,andoursonwouldbecapableofcarryingthatbloodlineforwardsomeday.10
ClubmemberswouldlovetogettheirhandsonlittleArch.

Mystomachtightenedwiththethought.Ontheotherhand,GreecewaswhereKinghadbeenbornand

wherehispeopledied.Itwastheplacehefirstmetme.Goingmightjarhismemory.AndKinghimself
had warded the property. No one bad could get anywhere near the home. That included himself, I
assumed.

Thiswasadifficultcall.MaybeIshouldkeeppushinghimtoremember.HereinSanFrancisco.
“Ms. Turner, you seem to have gone somewhere interesting inside that head of yours. Shall I join

you?”Hecrossedhisarmsoverhischest,lookinglikethedomineering,ancientkingheoncewas,despite
hiseleganttuxedo.

“No.”IglaredupatKing.“Ithinkyouneedtostopwastingmytimeanddowhatyoupromised.”
Hechuckledsadistically.“Iamwounded,Ms.Turner.Areyounotenjoyingyourtimewithme?”
“No.Andtimeisrunningout.Wehavetofindhim.”
“Whytheurgency?”
BecauseMackplanstokillyouonewayortheother.AndIneededtoknowthetruthbeforeitwas

toolate.

“Inyourownwords?That’snotyourconcern.”
“Let’sgetthisstraight,Ms.Turner.Everythingpertainingtoyoufromthispointforwardconcernsme.”
“Becauseofmyblood?”Iraisedabrow.
Hestaredintomyeyesforamomentandthenhisgazefelltomylips.Iwantedittomeansomething

morethanhesimplyfoundmefuckable.IwantedittomeanheknewmylipsanddreamedofthemlikeI
dreamedofhismouth—thewayitoncemovedovermyneckandnipples,thewayhislipsusedtobrush
againstmyearlobeswhenhemadelovetome.Buthislipsalsoremindedmeofthehappiesttimesofmy
life.Iusedtolovethewayhislipscurledmoreontherightsidewhenhelaughedwithjoy,likethedayI
toldhimIwaspregnant.Idon’tthinkI’deverseenhimsohappy.Heliterallydidn’tstopsmilingfora
week.Merelylookingatthoselipsremindedmeofthesweetwordshe’dsaidwhenIwasinlaborfor
twenty-twohours,goingoutofmymindwithpainandfear.Icouldn’tgoonanotherminute.“Cuthimout.
Please.Ican’tdoit.”

“Mia, you’re almost there,” he’d said, brushing back the sweat-soaked strands of hair from my

forehead.“Youcandothis,”he’dleanedforwardandwhisperedinmyear.“You’rethestrongestwoman
I’veeverknown.Youbroughtmebackfromthedeadandgavemelifeagain.Thisismucheasier.This
youcando.”Heplacedasoftkisswiththoselipsonmycheekandpressedhisforeheadtomine.“Now
push,”he’dsaidsoftlyandtookmyhand.Archoncameouttwominuteslater,andKingneveronceletgo
of my hand. Not until he got to hold the baby. Then he’d been speechless. Literally speechless. Those
sweet lips simply curled into that lopsided smile again and made me forget what I’d just gone through.
King’slipsweremyAchilles’heel.

AsIstaredatthepainfulreminderofthelifewenolongerhadtogether,Kingsuddenlyglancedatthe

crowdinsidehishouseandthenbackatme,hiseyesnarrowing.

Ohno.Iknewthatlook.Hewaspuzzlingsomethingout.
“What?”Iasked.
“I’msimplywonderingsomething.”
“Yes?”
Hescratchedtheblackscruffonhisjaw.“I’mwonderingifthishusbandofyoursisreal.Ifinditodd

thatyouareunwillingtogotoCrete,whereImightpickuphistrail.Andthenthere’stheimageIsawin
yourheadofusholdinghandsonabeach.”

“Heisreal,andIdon’tseeyourpoint.”
“My point is that you’re not telling me something.” He stepped in closer. “What are you up to, Ms.

Turner?Iwillfindoutonewayoranother.”

Dammit.Ihadtoearnhistrust,butIknewtryingtoconvincehimwithwordswouldbefairlyuseless.

Actionsmeantmoretohim.

“Okay,then.”Isighedandwalkedpasthim,headinginside.
“Whereareyougoing?”
“Call me when you get to Crete.” I left his house but felt his eyes on me until I got to my car. He

definitelysuspectedme,butmaybeCretewasn’tsuchahorribleidea.Maybeitwasjustwhatheneeded
toremember.

God,butArch.
ImentallyshookmyheadatmyselfasIstartedtheengine.I’dbeensoeager,soangryandupsetby

whatKinghaddonetomethatI’dwantedrevenge.AndthenforabouttensecondsI’dwantedclosure.
Butnow,allIwantedwasforthoseIlovedtonever,everhavetoworryabout10Club.

DidIwantKingback,too?Icouldn’tlie.ImissedhimsomuchthatIcouldn’tbeartothinkaboutit

anymore.ButIwouldn’tgetbackwhatwe’dhadbecausenothingunderthesuncouldexplainawayhis
choices.

Suddenly, part of me wondered if this was why he couldn’t remember me. Maybe he’d done it on

purpose,choosingtoletusgoforever.Hehadtoknowthere’dbenoturningbackifheleftuslikehehad
—unprotected,devastated,andfeelingbetrayed.

Eitherway,Ihadtokeeppushingforward.Andatthemoment,forwardmeantgoingtoCrete.

CHAPTERSEVEN

IcouldhardlybreatheonthelongflighthometoGreece.IfeltfartoonervousaboutseeingKingagain,
andImissedArchinawaythatcouldonlybedescribedasaheartache.Itwouldn’tgoawayuntilIheld
himagain.

Arrivingatnineinthemorning,IgrabbedacabhomeeventhoughIcould’vecalledforourdriver.I

wasn’tafanofservantsandbodyguards.ThatwasKing’sworld.Notmine.Samewentforthishome—a
gleamingwhitemodernmansionperchedhighonahilloverlookingtheocean,completewithtenniscourt,
helicopterpad,fruitorchardsandaprivatebeach.Kinghadsparednoexpensewhenhe’dbuiltitforus,
usingtheexcusethatthiswastheplacewewouldliveintherestofourlives,soithadtobespecial.

I burst through the front door and sprinted through the formal living room, dining room and kitchen,

lookingforArchandYpirétria,theseventy-year-oldnannywhoactedmorelikeafifty-year-old.

“Hello?”Icalledout.
Afaintlittlecoocaughtmyattention,andIfollowedthesoundthroughthekitchenintothebackyard,

whichwasreallyalargewalled-interraceoverlookingthebeachbelow.IspottedArchinhislittlebaby
swingonthelawn,Ypirétriasittinginachairnexttohim.

“Mommy’shome.”
Archlookedatmewithhisbigblueeyesandflashedatoothlesssmile.Forthefirsttimeindays,my

heartfeltfullagain.

“God,Imissedyou.”Iranandscoopedhimup,coveringhiminkisses.
IspentthenextdayholdinghimasmuchasIcouldandtryingtocatchuponsleep.Bythesecondday,

I started to wonder what was taking King so long. I wanted this all to be over as quickly as possible.
Worstofall,thetimehadfinallygivenmeachancetodigestthechaoticemotionsI’dbeenbottlingup.
First,therewasthegriefoflosingtheloveofmylife.ThenI’dfoundoutthathe’dvolunteeredtodieso
thatMackwouldlive.IhadcriedsohardIthrewupbecauseIcouldn’tstomachthepain.AndthenMack
called with the news about King being back, and I threw some clothes in a suitcase. I told Ypirétria I
wouldbebackinafewdays,andIhoppedonaplanetoSanFrancisco.BetweenKingdyingandseeing
himaliveagain,Ihadn’treallyhadtimetodomuchelseotherthanreact.NowIwasbeginningtoseethe
piecescomingtogetherandtheytoldmethatIneededtothinkthroughmynextmovecarefully.

One,IstillwantedKingtorememberme.Iwantedtoknowwhyhe’dmadehischoiceorifhehad

someplanthathadgonehorriblywrong.Ifbysomesmallchancehecouldbesaved,IfeltIoweditto
myselfandArch.

Two,andahigherpriority,10Clubhadtoend.Therewerenoifs,ands,orbuts.Theywereaconstant

threattosomeonelikemewhohadmarriedamanwithmany10Clubenemies,nottomentioneveryone
wantedhisarsenalinthatwarehousebackinSanFrancisco.Hehadeverythingfromrarepricelessartto
themostfrighteninglypowerfulobjects.ThiswaswhyKinghadmademeapromisetodismantletheclub.
He knew it was a question of when, not if, they would come after me—a Seer who they believed had
powersandaccesstoKing’swealth.

Three,Mackhadtobedealtwithsomehow.No,Ididn’tmeaninashadymobkindofway.Iwould

neverhurthimorhisbeautifulfiancée,Teddi.Thosetwohadgonethroughtheirownkindofhelltobe
together,andIwantedthemtobehappyandsafe.IjustneededMacktogivemealittlemoretime.He
clearlywasn’tonboardgiventhatTeddihappenedtobeaSeer,too.Thepeoplein10Clubwouldloveto

gettheirhandsonsomeonelikeher,andwithKingnotbeinghimself,I’mguessingMackknewhisown
brothermighttrytobarterherawayoruseherinsomemannerlikehe’dusedme.

Soyeah,Icouldn’tblameMackforwantingtotakethe10CluboutASAP.
Still, I needed to push forward and do what I could to find out what happened to King. That meant

gettingclosertohimandpushingforanswers.

Onthethirdday,IhadjustputArchdownforanapinthenursery—abeautifulroomwithaviewof

theoceanandmuralsofseacreatures—andwentdownstairstostartlunch.Ypirétriawasdoingherusual
routine, which often involved yelling at me for trying to help fold clothes or clean up the kitchen.
Housework was her domain and she was a very territorial creature. But her entire family had loyally
servedKing for thousandsof years, sothat made her almostlike a grandmother.I certainly couldn’t do
withouther.

Iopenedthefridge,searchingforsomethingeasyonmystomach,andmycellbegantovibrateinmy

pocket.

Unknowncaller.
Ihitthegreenbuttononthetinyscreen.“Hello?”
“Ms.Turner,sonicetohearyourvoice.”
Gametime.Myheartfilledwithanunpleasantweight.“King,niceofyoutofinallycall.”
“IsthatanoteofsarcasmIdetect?”
Iblewoutabreath.“Whereareyou?”
“Rightoutside.Iwouldhavecometoyourfrontdoor,butitisthestrangestthing,”hisvoicebecame

pissyallofasudden,“seemsthatsomeonehaswardedyourproperty.Quitewell,infact.”

Yeah.Youdid.AndIfeltnothingbutreliefthatKingcouldnotenterbecausehe’dmadesurenothing

“bad”couldgetinside.

“Agirlcanneverbetoocareful.Imean,thereareallsortsofcrazypeopleoutthere.Someofthem

evenliketosliceyourwristsandstealyourblood.”

Helaughed.“Areyoualwayssoamusing,Ms.Turner?”
“Onlyforyou,King.”
“Excellent.Bringyouramusingassoutside.Ihavesomepleasingtopicstodiscuss.”
“Whatkindofpleasing?”Couldhehaverememberedsomething?Mypulseaccelerated.
“Seeyouonthebeach.”
Thecallended,andIrushedtofindYpirétria,whowasfoldingArch’sclothesinthelaundryroom.I

toldhertostayput.

IchangedintoapairofjeansandredsweatertoshieldmefromtheunusuallycoldJanuaryweather

andheadedouttotheyardandthroughourgatethatledtothestepsandbeachbelow.Offinthedistance,I
spottedKing’simpressiveform—boxyshoulders,leanmuscledframe,confidentstance—infadedjeans
andadarksweater.MyheartflutteredforamomentasIwatchedhimstandingthere,gazingatsomething
offonthehorizonbeyondthewaves,justlikeI’dseenmyKingdoahundredtimes.

Hewasstillsobeautiful.Imissyou,King.
Isquaredmyshouldersandwalkedupbesidehim.
“AnotherbeautifuldayhereontheislandofCrete,isitnot,Ms.Turner?”Hedidn’tbothertolookat

me.

The wind surged against the front of our bodies, pushing back King’s shiny black hair and making

mineflyallovertheplace.Ishould’vewornaponytail,butthere’dbeennotimeforprimping.

“It’swonderful,”Isaiddryly.Ihadzerodesiretotalkabouttheweather.“Sotellme,King,didyou

pickupmyhusband’strail?”Doyourememberwhoyouare?

“Youhaven’tshownmethelastplaceyousawhim.”
“Wesaidgoodbyeatthefrontdoor.”
Heglancedsidewaysatmewithanarchedbrow.“Andwheredidhesayhewasgoing?”
“Tohelphisbrother.”
“Whatsortoftroublewashisbrotherin?”
Whereishegoingwiththis?“ThatIcouldn’tsay,”Ilied,notwantingtogivetoomuchaway.
Kingturnedtomeandshookhishead,tsking.“Youareaterribleliar,Ms.Turner.NowIsuggestyou

comecleanandtellmewhatyou’reupto,ortodaywillbeyourlastdayonearth.”

Iwould’veshruggedhimoff—justanotherthreat—butIknewthisman.Hewasn’tjoking.
“Whathappenedtothatpleasingnews?”Iasked.
“Ididnotsaywhowouldbepleased.”Heglancedatmeandflashedadevilishsmile.
Sohe’djustsaidthattoluremeoutside.Icouldmakearunforthehouse,butKingwouldhavemein

twoseconds.

Isighedandrubbedmyeyeswiththeheelsofmypalms.“Iguessthatmeansyoudon’tneedanymore

ofmyblood,”Imuttered.

“Youhavealllrequire,andbaggedSeerjuicewilldojustfine.”
Iguessedhedidn’trequirealotof“Seerjuice”becauseIwasaboutaspowerfulasablankbullet.

Allpop,nopower.

Idroppedmyarms.“Soyouactuallycameheretokillme?”
“Thatdependsonyou,Ms.Turner.Tellmethetruth,andImightletyoulive.Lietome,andIwillend

yourighthere,drainyourblood,anddanceinyourmemoryatmydinnerpartytonight.”

“You’rehavinganotherparty?Here?”
“Yes.Ihaveahomenottoofarfromhere.”
Wow.SoKinghadanotherhouseIneverevenknewabout.
IalwaysacceptedthatKingwasamanofmanysecrets.IknewwhatIwasgettingintowhenIfellin

lovewithhim,butthatdidn’tmeanhissecretsdidn’tbotherme.

“It’squiteold—beeninmyfamilyforcenturies.”
“Soundswonderful,”Isaidflatly.
“Itis.Anditisentirelyyourchoiceifyouwishtolivetoseeit.”
So this was it. I could come clean, or he would kill me. Not even a hundred yards from Arch’s

windowandlessthantwentyfeetfromthespotwherewefirstmadelove.Kinghadbuiltourluxurious
fortresshereforareason.Healwayshadone.Reasons,Imean.

Iclearedmythroatandbrushedmywildhairfrommyeyes.“Well,I’msurethatyouthinkyouwant

thetruth,butyouandIbothknowthatsometimeswereallywantsomethingentirelydifferent.”Iglanced
towardthehouse.“Forexample,tellmewhatyouseewhenyoulookatthathouse.”

“Iseeahomethatisbuilttolooklikeashowpalacewhenitisreallyawell-guardedstronghold.The

wallsarehighenoughtokeepoutpeopleandpryingeyes.Thewindowsaretintedsonoonecanseein.
Thereisaflatroofwithathree-hundred-and-sixty-degreeviewoftheareaaroundthehome,whichmakes
it ideal for defense. And if I were to guess, there are several tunnels running under the home that lead
underthemainroad,wheretherearesmallerhomeswithgarages,andthatatleastoneofthosehomesis
ownedbyyouandyourhusbandandcontainscash,cars,andweapons.”

Iblinked,butdidn’tconfirm.Imean,itwasnoshocktomethatKingwouldguesshisowndefense

plan.

Hecontinued,“ItisexactlythetypeofhomeIbuiltformywife.”
Myheartjoltedagainstmyribcage.“Whatwife?”Igrabbedhissleeve,myheartflutteringaroundin

mystomach.“Whatwife,King?”

Hepinchedhisbrowandwinced,seemingdisoriented.
“King?”Ishould’vebeenrunning,butIcouldn’t.“Lookatme.Fuckinglookatme.Whodoyousee

whenyoulookatme,King?”

Hefinallylooked,andallemotiondrainedfromhisface.“Iseenoone.”
Isnappedinthatmoment,andIknewIwassnapping,butI’dkeptsomuchbottledupthatthethinscab

justcamerightoff.

Goddammit.Godfuckingdammit!“No.”Islammedmyfistintohischest.“Takeanotherlook.Lookat

thathouse.Lookatmyface.”Ireachedintomypocketandheldupmyphone.Therewasapictureofme
andKing,bothcradlingArch.“Lookandfuckingtellmewhatyousee.”

King’s gray eyes stuck to the screen of my phone. The expression on his face—startle mixed with

suspicion—mademyhopebloom.Heremembersus.

“Whyareyouandmybrotherholdingthatchild?”heasked.
Thebilenearlylaunchedfrommystomach.“Your…brother?”Ispat.“King,lookatme.Please,I’m

beggingyou.”

“Iamlooking,andIamstillwaitingforareply.”
I grabbed the sides of his face, pushed myself up on my toes and kissed him hard. The heat passed

through our lips into my body, overtaking me immediately. His tongue, so soft and silky, skilled and
enticing, delved into my mouth and made me burn for him. Without thinking, I slid my arms around his
tightwaistandpressedmybodyintohim,achingfortheintensesparkonlywehad.

Hepushedmeawayandwipedhismouthwiththebackofhishand.“Whatthefuck,woman,areyou

doing?”

“I’mtryingtomakeyousee.”
“What?”
“Thetruth.”Ireachedforhishandandheldituptomylipsasthetearsleakedfrommyeyes.“Iam

yourwife.Thatpicturewiththebabyisyou,notMack.”Ilookedupathim,hopingforamiracle.“Ijust
wanttoknowwhyyoutradedeverythingwehadfordeath.Youcould’vefoundanotherwaytohelpMack,
butyoujustgaveupsoeasily.Why,King?Tellmewhyyouwoulddothattous.”

Acleansingreliefwashedthroughme.Mycards—raw,sad,andgritty—wereoutthereonthetable.

So if there was a god, she would surely reward me with words of consolation from King—It was all
somebigmistake.Thedevilmademedoit.Iwasentrancedbya10Clubmember.

Kingpulledhishandaway.“Icannot.”
Cannot.“Cannotwhat?”
“Icannotallowyoutocontinuewithsuchtreachery,Ms.Turner.Iamafraidourjourneyendshere.”

Hishandlungedformythroat,andhislongfingerswrappedaroundmyneck,squeezingwithsuchforce
thatIfeltthebonesinmyneckbending.

Itriedtopushhimaway,butamanmadeofsheerwillcouldnotbedeterredbyanythingphysicalin

thisworld.

“Please,”Icroaked,“justletmego.”
Vicioushatred simmered inhis eyes. “Youthink you can mind-fuckme like that?You think you can

stopmefromtaking10Clubtothenextlevel?”

Iclawedathishands,butithadnoimpact.“No,”Icroaked.“Ijustwanttoknowwhyyousworeto

lovemeforever.Butyouwelshed.”

King’sgrasploosened,buthedidn’tspeak.
“We were everything to you. Can’t you remember?” I whispered. “This house was built by you.

Wardedbyyou.”

“Lies,”hegrowled,grabbingmyshoulders.
“No. Not lies, King.” I placed my hand over my stomach, dreading what I was about to reveal but

seeingnootherwaytogetthroughtohim.ThislittlelifeinsidemewassopowerfulthatIcouldfeelher
fromthemomentshe’dbeenconceivedonthenightKingleft.I’dbeenwaitingtotellhimwhenhecame
home. She was me and him and more powerful than I ever was. “Your daughter is here, and she needs
you.Butifyoucan’tfindawayback,”Iwipedawaymytears,“thenIhavetoprotectherfromyouand
thosefuckingevilpeople,King.She’stoospecial.”

King’snostrilsflaredandhisgrayeyessoftened.“Youarepregnant?”
Archwasthreemonthsold,anditwassupposedtobenearimpossibletoconceivesoquickly,butI

had.LeaveittoKingtobreakeveryrule.

Inodded.“She’syours.”
“Andsoisthatlittleboy,”hestated.
Inoddedagain,feelingeverymuscleinmybodycoilwithdesperation.Please,God.Please…
“Andsomeonehasmeddledwithmymindtomakemeforgetthem.”
“Yes,”Iwhispered.
Kinglookedaway,hisjawpulsing,hislipsflat,hisfistsclenched.
Iwaitedwithbatedbreath.Wouldhebelievemeorsnapmyneck?
Comeon,King.Comeon.
Kingswiveledtowardme,snarling,andIshrankback.
Fuck.Fuck.Ipushedoutmyhands,wantingtoprotectusfromhiswrath.
“Idon’trememberyou,Mia.AndIdon’tknowwhohasfuckedwithmymemory,butIpromisethat

she,”helookedatmystomach,“you,andmysonwillneverhaveanythingtofear.Notfromme.”

I’mnotgoingtolie.HiswordswereexactlywhatIwantedtohear.AndIeasilycould’vetakenthem

atfacevalue,butIwasnolongerthatnaïveyoungwomanhe’dfirstmet,sodesperateforhelpthatshe
wouldputherfaithinanyonewhoshowedupwithalittleshinyarmor.Ihadlostsomuch,andArchand
thisbabyneededmetoplayitsmart.Anddon’tthinkforamomentthatIdidn’tcatchthesubtlemeaningof
thoselastwords:“Notfromme.”Thatstillleftawholehellofalotofpeopletoworryabout.

“HowdoIknowIcantrustyou?”Iaskedsimplytoseewhathe’dsay.
“Youdon’t.”Kingslidacardfromhisjeanspocket.“Behereateighto’clock.Iwouldtellyounotto

belate,butIsuspectitwilldonogood.”

Itwouldn’t.“Soit’sanotheroneofyourdinnerparties.”
“Yes.Andyourbloodwillberequired.”
“Areyougoingtotellmewhatyou’redoingwithit?”
“Iamtakingcareofathreatthat’slongoverdue.”
Justlikethat,Kingdisappearedintothinair.
Leavingmestandingtherestaringatnothing.

CHAPTEREIGHT

WhatamIdoing?IshouldjuststepawaylikeMackhadsaidandlethimdealwithallthis.Thatwould
bethesafestmove.ButifIcouldfindawaytogetKingback,didn’tIoweittoallofustotry?Noone
walkedawayfromtheloveoftheirlivesjustlikethat.

Icheckedmyhaironelasttimeinthevanitymirrorofmyprivatedressingroomthatwasoneofthe

manyfeaturesKinghadaddedtothehouse,includingasoakingtubsmackinthemiddleofourenormous
bedroomthatopeneduptoaprivatebalconywithaviewoftheocean.Theentirehomeremindedmeof
King’sancientpalacehereinCretewithitsmarblepillarsandmuralsofancientgodsandseacreatures.I
hatedstayingherewithouthim.Toomanymemories.

It’snotoveryet,Mia.Youstillhaveonemoreshot.
Rallyingmynerves,Iappliedalittlehairspraytomystraightenedhairandfinishedapplyingalittle

smokyeyeshadow.Ilookedasbestascouldbeexpectedatatimelikethis.

“Mrs.Minos?Thecariswaitingwhenyou’reready.”
I glanced over my shoulder at the tall, thickly built man in his thirties, with dark wavy hair. Arno

Spiros. Arno was one of King’s most trusted bodyguards, but I didn’t trust anyone with that last name.
TheywereallloyaltoKingandonlyprotectedmebecausethey’dbeenorderedto.

“Thankyou,Arno.I’llberightdown.”
“Verygood,ma’am.”
Hedisappearedfromthedoorway,andItookonelastlookatmyselfinthemirror.Myfitteddarkblue

dresshuggedmycurvesandleftlittletotheimagination.ThiswasKing’sfavoritedress.I’donlywornit
once,andithadstayedonalloftwominutesbeforehehadmeoutofit.Weendeduphavingtakeoutthat
night.

“Well,thisisyourlastchance,”Imutteredtomyself.Mackwouldsooncomecalling,andIcouldn’t

necessarilyarguewithhisplan.Weallhadsomuchtoloseto10Club.

I passed by the nursery and kissed Arch goodbye before making my way downstairs to the waiting

limo.Arnoopenedthecardoorwithhisusualsteelyprofessionalism.Noeyecontact.

I slid inside, and he took the driver’s seat. Within moments we were headed down the main road,

whichskirtedthecoast.Thesunhadsethoursago,andIdidn’tlikeit.Badthingscameoutatnight.

“IsawyouonthesecuritycameraswithKingearlier,”Arnosaid,breakingthesilence,hiseyesfixed

tothecurvyroad.“Iassumehehasoutsmarteddeathonceagain.”

Arnodidn’tseematallsurprised.
“Yes.Andyou’llbehappytohearthathehascompletelyforgottenmeandArch.He’salsobacktohis

old self.” Meaning evil and basically a disembodied soul. “Maybe you’ll get your king all to yourself
again.”

TheSpiroshadneverlikedtheSeersandtheycertainlydidn’tliketheirkingbeingmarriedtoone.
“Ithinkyouaremistakenaboutwhereourloyaltieslie,Mrs.Minos.”
Ihatedhimcallingmethat.Ihadn’tchangedmylastnamewhenImarriedKing,whoseofficialname

wasDracoMinos,thelastkingofancientMinoa.However,gettingpettyaboutnameswasn’tgoingtoget
usanywhere.

“Whereareyourloyalties,Arno?”
“Kingrelinquishedhispositionbeforeheleft.WeareloyaltoyouuntilArchisgrown.”

Huh?ThiswasslightlydifferentthanwhatKinghadtoldme.
“AreyousayingthatKingisn’tyourkinganymore?”
“Yes.”
“Sohe…quit?Andyoudecidednottotellme?”
King hadn’t been a real king for a very long time, but in these people’s eyes, he was and always

wouldbetheirruler.SoI’dthought.

“Yes.”
“Whendidthishappen?”Iasked.
“Beforehedied.”
I looked out the window at the passing cars, pushing my tired mind to drill down. So King knew

something was going to happen. He had to. It was one more piece of the puzzle that led me to believe
KingknewhewouldbetakingariskwhenhewenttohelpMack.AndKingneverwentinwithoutsome
sortofplan.

If it’s true, however, I’m on my own. King had no way of telling anyone what he’d thought might

happen.Hedidn’tremember.Orifhedoes,he’snotgoingtoshareit.

Arnotookaleftandheadedupanarrowroadthatcutthroughahillsidelinedwitholivetrees.
“DidyouknowKinghadasecondhomehereontheisland?”Iasked.
Arnoglancedatmethroughthemirror.“KinghasmanyhomesonCrete.Heownsalotofland.”
Isupposethatmadesense.Kinghadbeenaroundforaverylongtime.
Afewminuteslater,Arnoturnedagain,pullinguptoatwo-storyhousewithastonefaçade.Itlooked

likeahistoricalhomeormuseumwithitsperfectlyrestoredstoneexteriorandwood-framedwindows.

“Howoldisthisplace?”Iasked.
“Overthreehundredyears,Iamtold.”
Arnopulledthelimotoastopinfrontofthegravelwalkway.
“SopracticallybrandnewforKing?”Isaidjokingly.
Ablackstretchlimopulledupbehindus.Arnoturnedallthewayaroundandlookedmestraightinthe

eyes.“Becarefultonight,Mia.”

He’dmadeeyecontactandusedmyfirstname,whichmeanthereallywantedtomakesureIlistened.

Ididn’tknowwhethertobegratefulorjustmorenervous.

“Thankyou.Iwill,”Isaid.
Arnogavemeaquicknod,slippedfromthedriver’sseat,andcamearoundtoletmeout.Itookhis

handandasgracefullyaspossibleexitedthevehicle.

“Iwillbewaitingrightoverthere.”Heglancedbehindmetowardthenarrowroadwe’dtakenhere,

wherethechauffeurswereparkingtheircarstowaitouttheevening.

“I’llcallwhenI’mreadytogo,”Isaid.
He dipped his head, and I headed for the arched doorway that led to a courtyard with a fountain.

Surroundingthecourtyardweretwostoriesofplasteredstoneandafewwood-framedwindows.Straight
aheadwasthefrontdoorwithastonearch,whereKingstoodtothesideinhiseleganttuxedo,looking
likeabeautifulgodgreetinggueststoHeaven.

Mybreathhitchedandthebackofmykneestingledwithheat.Themanalwaysknewhowtodress,

howtolooksogoddamnedhandsome,evenwhenhewasabouttomakeyourlifealivinghell.

Hespottedmefromacrossthelitfountain,andIwatchedhisfakesmiletransformintoawolfishgaze

that made my chest knot. My body, especially those legs of mine, instinctually wanted me to go in the
opposite direction. My heart, however, wanted something entirely different. It just wanted him. Deep.
Hard.Now.ThedesireIfeltforthismanconsumedme.Itwentbeyondfuckingandkissingandlicking.

Hetuggedeveryeroticthreadrunningdeepinsidemybeing.

Ipushedthroughmymessyfeelingsandpastedonasmile,myeyeslockedwithhisasIapproached

thefrontstep.

“Ms.Turner,”hedippedhisheadofthickblackhair,“youlook…ravishing,”hesaid,hisvoicefilled

withsexualinnuendo.HisjawboreitsusualthickdarkstubbleIoftenlovedtostrokewiththetipsofmy
fingers,andhislipshadthedevilishsmilehealwaysusedonmewhenhewantedsomething.

Ipretendednottonotice.
“Thankyou.Youlookverynice,too,”Isaid.
Justthenabustyblondewoman,sameheightandshapedfaceasme,cameupwithasnidegrinand

sexualhungerinhereyes.Sheworeabrightreddresscutsolowthatitalmostshowedhernipples.

“Sorry I took so long,” she said with an annoyingly high-pitched voice. “Some fucking cunt was

hoggingthebathroom.”

Kingtookherhand.“Youdidn’tmissmuch,mylove.Iwasmerelygreetingourguests.”
My…love?Whatthefuck?Icouldn’tbelievemyeyesorears.Hehadanotherwoman?Thiswoman?

ButbeforeIhadachancetoprocessthemajorblow,hecontinued,“Hagne,mayIintroduceMiaTurner.”

Hagne?Mybodywentnumb,yetIstillmanagedtosomehowstepbackinhorror.“It’snotpossible.”I

shookmyheadfromsidetoside,onlyvaguelyawareofmyphoneringinginsidemyeveningbag.

Hagnecackled.“Nicetoseeyouagain,Mia.”
ButHagneisdead.Kingbeheadedherthousandsofyearsago.Andshe’safuckingpsycho.Iturned,

intendingtorunlikehell.

Kinginconvenientlyappearedinfrontofme,slippinghisarmaroundmywaistandpullingmeintohis

hardbody.“Justwheredoyouthinkyou’regoing?”Hislipsflickeredwithacarnalgrin.

“Tohell.”OrmaybeIwasalreadythere.

Kingthrewmeintohislibraryfilledwithwall-to-wallbooksandaleatherreadingchair—nophone—
andthenlockedthedoor,butnotbeforetakingmyhandbag.Iassumedhedidn’twantmecallinganyone
and interfering with his plans—whatever the hell those were. But make no mistake, every bone in my
bodyshookwithrage.IfKinghadbroughtbackHagne,itwasbecausehenolongercaredformysafety
onelittlebit.

Now I know why he said that he wouldn’t harm me. Because Hagne sure the hell would. Three

thousand years ago, she had been a powerful Seer, offered as a bride to King by her family, who had
significant influence on the island. A marriage with a Seer would have served both families well, but
HagnehadhadathingforMack.AndshewascertifiablyCracker-Jack-crazy,coatedinathicklayerof
nutswithapsychoprizeontheinside.I’dreadherjournal—Kinghadkeptit—whichwashowIknew
she’dplannedtouseherSeergiftstoseduceMackandthenhavehimkillKingsothatMackwouldbe
ruler.AllthatwentsidewayswhenIshowedupandtriedtostopher,forwhichshetriedtokillme.King
executedher,whichalmoststartedawarbetweenhimselfandtheSeers.Tokeepthepeaceandprevent
hispeoplefromdying,Kingsacrificedhislife—justiceforHagne’sfamily.ButKing’sdeathdidlittleto
changehistory.Warstillbrokeout.TheMinoansstilldisappearedoffthefaceoftheplanet,King’ssoul
still ended up cursed, Mack still died and ended up cursed, and both brothers lived in torment for
thousands of years, committing acts that haunted them. My attempted intervention had only restarted the
entire story, just with different catalysts. Thankfully, Mack was eventually saved by Teddi, and King’s
tormentendedwithmebringinghimbacktolife.That’showitwassupposedtoend.Nowweteeteredon
theedgeofasituationfarworsethanwe’dcomefrom.

Islippedmybackupcellfrommycleavage—yes,Iknewnowtoalwayscarryanextra—andcalled

Mackfirst.Itrangfourtimesbeforeheanswered.

“Mack,it’sMia.”
“Whythefuckhaven’tyoubeenansweringyourphone?”hebarked.
“Kingtookit.Hehasmelockedinaroominhishouse.”
“Yourhouse?Isthebabyallright?”
“Archisfine.I’minadifferenthouse—abigoldstonethingonahillafewmilesaway.”
“Thatusedtobemyplaceafewlifetimesago.”
“Well, I guess King kept it. I mean, one never knows when old things might become useful again.

Hagne,forexample?Seemshefoundauseforher,too.”

“Whatthehellareyoutalkingabout?”
“She’s back. In another body.” And I’m beyond crushed. “I think he’s with her, Mack. Her. Of all

fuckingpeople.”

“Sothat’swhathe’sdoing.AfterIheardyourmessage,Iknewhegotthechalice.”
Oh,dearGod.IfeltlikeweweretrappedinsomehorribleparanormalTVshow.Onlyweweren’t.

Thatchalicewasanancientrelicthatwassupposedtobringanyonebackfromthedead.Kinghadusedit
to bring back Mack, who’d been stabbed by Teddi—a complete accident. Luckily, the chalice worked.
Unluckily, Mack had died on sacred Native American soil and the souls who resided there wanted
something in return for Mack. A trade. That was when King made his decision to swap his life for his
brother’s.

“Ithinkhe’sbringingpeoplebackandputtingthemin10Clubmembers’bodies,”saidMack.
“Whichpeople?”Iasked.
“Mybestguess?”
“Yes,”Ireplied.
“Peoplewhoaredangerousandwhomhecancontrol.”
Oh shit. If all the 10 Club members were loyal to King, then it would no longer be a free-for-all

backstabbing competition. They’d all be rowing their depraved boats in the same direction and doing
whathewanted.Isimplycouldn’timagineanyonehavingthatmuchpower.Butwhatwouldhedowithit?

“Thisisnotgood.Notgoodatall,”Imumbled.
“Actually,thismighthelpus,”Macksaid.“AnyoneloyaltohimwillbeloyaltomewhenItakeover.”
In theory that would be useful—he could more easily ambush people he controlled—however, not

everyoneusedtheireyestodetermineaperson’sidentity.

“You’reassumingyoucantricksomeonelikeHagne.”Ugh.FuckingHagne.Kinghadactuallycalled

her“mylove”andkissedherhand.TherewasnobiggerinsultIcouldthinkof.Itwasthefinalknifeinmy
brokenheart.

“Don’tworry;Icandealwithher,”Macksaid.“Butyouneedtogetthehelloutofthere.”
Iwasinsomuchshock,I’dalmostforgottenI’dbeenlockedinaroom.
“Whereareyounow?”Iasked.
“SinceyouflewofftoGreece,I’mbreakingintoKing’swarehouse.”
King’swarehousewasbooby-trappeduptheyin-yang.“Soyou’reabouttodie.”
“Maybe.Butsoareyouifyoudon’t—”
“Ms.Turner,youneverceasetoamazeme,”saidKing.
Ispunonmyheel.“Uh…gottago.”Idroppedthephonefrommyear,prayingKinghadnoideathathis

brotherandIhadjustbeenspeakingorhadarelationship.“Iwasjustcheckingon…thingsathome.”

“AndImustremembertofriskyounexttimeIlockyouup.”King’slipstwistedintoaslysmile.

“Whensomanymonstersroamfreelyintheworld,agirlshouldalwaystakeprecautions.”Ibattedmy

eyelashes.

“Are you referring to me or to Hagne?” he said, his voice low and velvety as he stepped in close,

almostpressinghisbodytomine.

“Both.”Iglaredupathim.
“Ah,yes.Hagnehastoldmeaboutherrun-inwithyou,”hesaid.
“Sheremembers?”
“Comewithme.Iwouldliketoshowyousomething.”Heturned,openedthedoor,andwentintoa

roomjustacrossthehallway.

“Howaboutjusttellingmewhatitis?”Icalledout.Surprisesweren’tmythingthesedays.
“Come,Ms.Turner!”heyelled.
Igrowledinprotest,tornbetweenrunningforitandseeingwhathewantedtoshowme.Ifhewanted

medead,I’dbedeadbynow.AndifIran,he’donlycatchmeintwoseconds—aperkofbeingaman
withoutarealbody.

“Idonothaveallnight,Ms.Turner,”Kingbellowedfromtheotherroom.
Withhesitantsteps,Ifollowedthesoundofhisvoiceintohisstudy.Therewasadesk,chair,cratesof

oldbooksandastackofscrollspiledtothesideofthedesk.

“Closethedoorbehindyou,”heordered.
“Whatisallthis?”Isaid,doingasheasked.
Kingunrolled a longsheet of paper,his silvery eyes scanningthe words. “Ihad Hagne write down

everydetailofmylife—thatwhichsheisabletoseewithhergiftsorremember.”

“Isthatwhyyoubroughtherback?”
“Yes.Iwouldliketounderstandwhytherearepiecesmissingfrommymemories.”
“Whynotjustaskmeinsteadofbringingbackapsychowhooncetriedtokillyou?”
Hegavemeaquestioninglook.
I shrugged. “You have her journals stored in your warehouse back in San Francisco. I read them

once.”

“Well,hergiftsofsightareverypowerful,andsheisloyaltomenowthatI’vegivenherbackher

life.SheknowsIcantakeitawayatanytime.”

Iwonderedifthatwaswhyhehadn’tusedthechaliceonhimself.Asalivingman,hewaslimitedto

whathecoulddo.Thatcrawlingaroundinsidepeople’sheadstrick,forexample?Nope.Killingsomeone
withasnapofhisfingers?Nope.Hewasmuchmoredangerousinanon-corporealstate.

“Sowhathaveyoulearnedfromher?”Iasked.
“Many interesting things.” King’s predatory eyes flickered with curiosity, and he stepped in closer.

“But something she cannot explain is why I recall her but none of the moments involving you. So many
lost memories.” He ran his finger down my throat and began making small circles between my breasts.
Thesensationevokedstrongmemoriesofthetwoofuslyinginbed,naked.Thewayhewoulddrinkmein
withthoseeyesandstudyeveryinchofmybody,asifcommittingeachcurvetomemory.Healwaysmade
mefeelworshipedanddesired.

Hecontinued,“Hagnesaysyouwereeverythingtome.”Heleaneddownandslidhislipsacrossmy

cheek,andIcouldn’tlie;theheatofhisskinandsoundofhisdeep,sensualvoicetriggeredfluttersinmy
stomach and deep in my core. “So tell me, Mia, why would I leave behind memories of something so
precious?”

Mybodyshiveredfromhistouch.Itcravedhowgoodhecouldmakemefeel.“Idon’tknow.”
“Didyou…”heplacedalightkissonmyneck,“dosomethingtoangerme,perhaps?”

“No.”
“Youwouldn’tbelyingtome,nowwouldyou?”Hislipswentlower,overmycollarbone,sparking

goosebumpsovermyentirebody.

Iswallowedasighoflonging.“No.Iwasloyaltoyou.Ineverwould’vehurtyoulikeyouhurtme.”I

stepped back, knowing he was pushing me dangerously close to something I didn’t want to feel but
hungeredfor.Hisbodyinsidemine.

“PerhapsIfounditeasiertoforgetyouthanfaceyou.”Heclosedthegapbetweenusandsnakedhis

armaroundmyback.

Ipulledmyheadaway.“Iguesswe’llneverknow.ButyouhaveHagnenow.”
“Sheishere toserveme, butnotin thatway.And nowthat she’stoldme whoyoureally are,Iam

confidentthatyouandIweremeanttobetogether.”

Itiltedmyheadtotheside.“WhodoyouthinkIreallyam?”
“ThemostpowerfulSeerevertobeborn.Onewhohasthegifttopassthroughthebarriersoftime,to

seethedead,toseeanythingshewants.”

“Idon’tknowwhatHagnetoldyou,butIamnotaSeeranymore.”
Heshookhisheadslowly.“Hagnedidnothavetotellmeanything.Iassureyouthatthepowerstill

runsinyourblood.HowdoyouthinkImanagedtoresurrectfivesoulsatoncewhenthechaliceusually
allowsforonlyone?”

“Ireallydon’tknow,”Isaidwithabiteinmytone,“butifyouwereright,I’dgobacktothemoment

yougaveupthelifewehad.”

“Wecanhaveitallback,Mia.”Heslidhishandtocupmycheek.Histouchfeltwarmatfirst,but

quicklyturnedhotter.Suddenly,Ifelthimpulsinginsideme,throughmyveins.Thistimeitdidn’thurt.It
feltsensualandintimate,likehewasrubbingupagainstmysoulandembracingme.

Iwantedtopullawaybutcouldn’t.Imissedthistoomuch—thatconnectionandcloseness.Hewasthe

“Thisiswhatyouwant,isn’tit?”Lusttwinkledinhisgrayeyes.Hepulledmeintighter,allowingme

tofeelhiserection.“There,yousee.Ihaven’tforgottenyoucompletely.Andwithtime,Imightremember
everything.Don’tyouwantthat?”

Dammit.Hehadfoundthatthreadofhopeinsidemeandknewjusthowtotug.
Hecontinued,“Perhapsthisisfateplayingoutasitismeanttobe.”
Istaredupathim,wantingsomesignoftruth,butallIsawwasneed.Hisandmine.
Heleaneddownandkissedme.Hissilkylipsfeltwarmandsensual,exactlylikeIremembered.This

wasstillKing.Stillseductiveandcarnal.Stillabletoevokeprimallustdeepinsideme.

Igavein,fullyawareofwhatIwasabouttodo:Makeamistake.
He pushed me back onto the desk and lifted my ass on top of it. His hands, strong and warm, slid

behindmykneesandpartedthem.Hisfingersbegantoroam,touchingthedelicateskininsidemythigh.

Iletoutasoftmoan,sinkingintothemoment.
His mouth broke away from my lips and trailed heated kisses down the side of my neck, his thick

stubbleticklingthedelicateskin.

“Tellme,Mia,”hesaidinaslowdeepvoice,“isthisthewaywealwaysfeeltogether?”
One hand brushed over the apex between my legs, sending a sharp sexual ache pulsing through my

core,whilehisotherhandmovedtomybreast,cuppingitoverthenavybluefabric.

“Yes,”Iwhispered.
Heslidhishanddownthefrontofmypantiesanddelvedhisfingerbetweenmyheatedfolds.“You’re

alreadywetforme.”

Kingonlyhadtolookatmeacertainway,andIwouldbeready.
My body jolted involuntarily as he slid a thick finger inside, testing me. “Tell me how it felt, Mia,

whenwemadeher,whenIputthatbabyinsideyou.”

Ipantedlightly,enjoyingthesensationofhisfingerpumping.“Itwasearlyinthemorning,andIfound

youinyourstudy.”

“Astudylikethisone?”
“Yes.”Ipanted.
Hismouthreturnedtomine,kissingmehard.“Andwhatnext?”
“Youputmeontopofyourdesk,likeyou’redoingnow.”
Hishandmovedfaster,stokingthefire,pushingmecloser.
“Andthen?”Heunzippedhimself,freeinghiscock.
“Andthenyouslidinsideme,”Iwhispered.
He removed his hand, pushed my black lace thong aside, and placed the head of his shaft at my

entrance.“Likethis?”Hethrustintome.

Igaspedandclosedmyeyes,feelingmybodymeltintohimandhimintome.Hewaslikeasexual

drugmybodyhadbeencraving.

“Yes,”Ireplied.
Kingpumpedhishipsslowly,takingthetimetogrindattheendofeachthrust,triggeringagaspeach

time.“Likethis,Mia.Isthishowyouliketogetfucked?”

“Yes.”Hewassogoodatit.
Hewithdrewhiscock,pushedmedownonthedesk,andslidoffmypanties.Heundidhispantsthe

rest of the way, allowing me to see him—his hard thick cock, the dark hair around its base, the heavy
ballshangingbetweenhislegs.

He pulled my body closer to him, bringing my entrance just to the edge of the desk. “I want you to

watchmefuckingyou,Mia.Iwantyoutorememberthisasourfirstfuck.TheoldKingisgone.Doyou
understand?”Hepushedhimselfintome,drivinghard,takingnotgiving.

Mybodyreactedwithasensualcontraction.“No.”
Hehitmeagainwithanotherthrust.“Heisgone,Mia.Youhavemenow.”Heslammedhiscockinto

me,sorough,sodelicious.IthoughthewasgoingtocontinueinsistingIforgetthemanwhotrulyowned
myheart,butperhapshe’dgonetoofar,needingreleasemorethanmysubmission.

Heleanedoverme,claimingmewithhislips,hisbodyhammeringforcefully.Hishandslidbehind

mykneetodeepenhispenetration.Hisotherhandscoopedbehindmybacktoholdmeinplace.

Mybodyopenedtohim,mylegspartedwide,needingtofeelhimasdeepashecouldgo,whilemy

heart stayed closed. I knew in the back of my mind that this wasn’t King. Not the whole man—the one
withabitofdarknessinsidehistough,butlovingheart.Thismancouldneverbetrusted.Still,Ineeded
him.Justonemoretime.

King withdrew his mouth and pushed his forehead to mine, stilling his hips with his cock wedged

deep inside me. His masculine, guttural groan told me he was coming. I loved it when he came—the
thought of my body pleasing the man I loved, the moment he poured his cum into me, the sound of his
breathanddeepvoiceinterminglinginmyears.Ilovedhowhenevergotenoughofmylipsandbreasts
andhowhemademecomeoverandoveragainwithhisthickshaft.

Thecarnalexplosiondeepinmybellyignitedandparalyzedmyentirebody,sendingmymindintoa

deliciousfogofpleasure.Kingpulsedhiships,watchingwithhoodedeyesashemilkedthewavesofmy
climax.

“That’sright,Mia.Comeforme,likeyoudidforhim.”
Never.Butinmymindwewerethereinourstudyathomeonthatmorninghegavemeourdaughter.It

wasamomentwhenmybodyconnectedtohiminawayithadn’tbefore,sofilledwithlove.ThenIfelta
spark somewhere deep inside my belly. With Archon, I remember feeling something calm and bright
tinglinginsideme,butthatcameweekslater.Withher,itwasinstant.AndnowIknewwhy.

SheisaSeer.Apowerfulone.PerhapsithadbeenherbloodKingsensed.
Asforme,feelingKinglyingoverme,insidemybody,allIfeltwassadness.Theafterglow,thefull

feelingofourbodiesjoined,hadbeenlacking.Anemptyfuckridingonmemoriesoflove.

King kissed my lips, slow and sensual, and then withdrew. He immediately went to putting himself

away,avoidingeyecontact.

Strange.Isatup,slidoffthedesk,andbeganarrangingmydress.Myeyesquicklysearchedformy

blackthong,andInoticedKingslidingsomethingintohispocket.

Mypanties.
Okay.Hewantedtokeepthembutwouldn’tlookatme?
Anawkwardsilencefilledtheroom.Mysilencewasmoreofastateofmourning,butIcouldn’tbegin

toguesswhatwasgoingoninsidehishead.

King straightened his tie and reached for the door. “Be in the basement in five minutes.” He

disappearedandleftthedoorwideopenwhileIstoodtherestaringattheemptyspace.Whatthehellwas
that?He’dseemedgenuinelytroubledordisturbedorsomethingafterfuckingme.

Hadherememberedsomething?
“Well,well,well,looksliketheoldkingstillhasathingforyou.”
IlookeduptofindHagnestandinginthehallwayjustpastthedoorinhergarishreddress.Funny,I

couldalmostrecognizeherfromtheglintofhatredinherblueeyes,eventhoughwhenI’dmether,she’d
beenabrownbeauty—darkeyes,darkhair,darkskin.Buttherewasnomistakingthatglare.AllHagne.

I lifted my chin and walked past her. “And it looks like the old king still thinks of you as his little

bitch.”

CHAPTERNINE

AfterIleftthestudy,Islippedintothebathroom,fixedmyselfupandthoughtaboutmynextmove.Ihadto
assumethatIhadgottenthroughtoKingsomehowandthatbeingphysicalhadbeenthekey.

Thiswasgood.
Kingwantingmelikethat,wantingtohearaboutmakingourdaughter,meanttheemotionalconnection

wasn’t gone or that he craved it on some level. What bothered me, however, was his complete lack of
warmth.No,Ididn’tmeanphysically.Kingwashisoldhotself.Buthissoulfelticierthanever.

It’s like that part of him is all broken. Or maybe gone altogether? I patted my face with a tissue,

resetmystraightenedcurlswithaquickfingercomb,andmademywayoutside.Ihadafewdays,ifthat,
to determine what had happened to King after he died and what he really planned to do with these
resurrecteddemonsfromhispast.

Ienteredthecozylivingroom—cozybyKing’sstandardssinceitwouldn’tholdahundredpeople—

andinstantlyrealizedthatmanyoftheformallydressedguestswerethesamepeoplefromSanFrancisco.
ThereweremanyfacesIdidn’trecognize,too.

AndnoHagne.ThankGod.
I walked over by the stone fireplace and pretended to admire the painting above it while I stole

glancesoftheguestsandcommittedtheirfacestomemory.Thepainting,bytheway?Scaryasfuck.Some
olddemoneatingaheartithadjustrippedoutofanakedman.

Someoneclankedawineglassatthefarendoftheroom,grabbingeveryone’sattention.
King. He stood there looking handsome as hell in his tux, flashing a cocky smile. He’d gotten over

whateverhadbotheredhimafterourlittleencounterinhisstudy.

“Myesteemedguests,”hecalledoutacrosstheroomofelegantlydressedpeople,“asyouknow,I’ve

invited you all here tonight to usher in a new dawn of 10 Club. You are the elite of our group, the
powerful, the people with vision who understand what 10 Club will become once we cease operating
underaveilofsecrecy.Todayweliveintheshadows.Tomorrowweliveandbreatheandbatheinthe
light, molding the world into a new shape, where the weak gladly accept their places and where the
powerfulfewrulethem.”Kingraisedhisglasstotheguests,whoapplaudedwithenthusiasm.“Asitwas
meanttobe!”

Istoodtherewithmymouthhangingopen.Imean,theworldhadseenitsfairshareofdarktimes,but

this?Thiswouldbenothingincomparisonif10Clubcameoutoftheevilcloset.

“Oh,Ican’twaittofindoutwhatpowershegivesme,”saidthewomantomyside.
Themannexttoher,oneIthoughtIrecognizedfromSanFrancisco,replied,“IhearthatKingisgiving

outsomethingveryspecialtonight.Perhapsmind-readingabilities.”

So…thesepeople,whomI’llcallthenewbies,believedtheyweregettingfreegifts?
Iwantedtotskatthem.Nothinginthisworldisfree,youidiots.
Theapplause died downand King continued,“And now, my dearpeople, if theten guests of honor

willfollowme?”

Theroomapplaudedagainasthreewomenandsevenmensteppedforward.
Ten?He’sdoingtenatatimenow?AndfromtheconversationI’djustoverheard,Ididn’tthinkany

ofthemhadacluethattheywereabouttobeevictedfromtheirbodies.

Thisisbad.NotthatIfeltsorryfortheseanimalsparadingaroundashumanbeingsinformalwear,

butthesoulstakingtheirplaceswouldbemuchworse.

“Ms. Turner,” King called out, giving me a stern warning with his eyes not to mess this up, “your

presenceisrequired.”

Oh,God.Ididnotwanttohelphim,butwhatchoicedidIhave?Icouldn’trun,he’dkillmeifIsaid

no,andIneededtobeinapositiontohelpMackorsaveKing.Orboth.

Itookasteadybreathandfollowedtheherdthroughtheformaldiningroomwithanenormouscrystal

chandelierandthroughasmallhallwaytoadoorwhereKingrevealedaflightofnarrowdarkstairs.

Standing at the end of the conga line behind a woman in a sequined white gown, I groaned. I knew

whatwouldhappendownthere.Kingwouldperformhisbloodyritualandbringtenpeoplebackfromthe
grave.

AsIdescendedthewoodenstairs,thesoundofeveryone’sheelsfillingthenarrowdarkpassagewith

thumpingsounds,IhadtowonderifKingcouldbringallofthesepeopleback,whycouldn’tIresurrect
himasecondtime?Imean,Icouldguesswhyhewouldn’twantthat—hewasmuchmorepowerfulinhis
nonlivingstate.ButwhatifIforcedhimsomehow?Wouldhebecomewholeagain,orwouldhesimplybe
thesamedarksoulinabody?

Itwasworthatry.
Ienteredthedarkbasementandstoodinthecorner.Thistime,IwatchedKing’severymove,listened

to every word, and memorized every symbol he painted on the walls and floor before he called me
forward.

“Letmedoit,”Isaid,takinghisknife.IfIhadtobleed,Iwantedtocontroltheknife.
King’sgazeturnedcarnalandhungryasIcutmypalmandcollectedthebloodforhim.
IthinkIjustearnedhistrust.

After the blood ceremony, the ten people who left the basement were not the same ten souls who’d
entered.I’dbeenright;thedinnerpartybefore—thespeech,formality,andintroductions—hadallbeena
sham. Because after the ceremony, I watched as old friends embraced, laughed, toasted and screamed
with delight in strange languages. It felt like an international reunion for old college buddies. Then I
spotted Hagne greeting a brunette woman who had tears in her eyes. I could practically feel the energy
spikinginthatcorneroftheroomwheretheystood.Eventhelittlelifeinmybellybegantoflutteraround,
almostasifinapanic.

Ohcrap.
MyeyessearchedtheroomforKing,whohaddisappearedaftertheceremony.Iplannedtogethim

aloneagainifIcould.Iwantedtofindoutwhenthenextshindigwasscheduled.ThenI’dcallMackand
proposeaplan.We’dhijacktheceremonyandbringbackKing.

Itookasipofmygingerale,tryingtosettlemystomach.Calmdown,littleAriadna.ThatwaswhatI

plannedtonamemydaughter.Itmeantdaughterofaking.

“Ms.Turner?”
IswiveledandfoundKingallcleanedup,afreshnewtux,gloweringdownatmewiththosesteely

grayeyes.

“Yes?”
“Wouldyoucomewithme?”
Iwantedto,butIdidn’tlikehisaggressivetone.Especiallysincetherewasnoreasonforit.
“Why?”Iasked.
“Comewithme,”herepeatedsternly.

“Areyougoingtohurtus?”Yes,Isaid“us.”Iwasn’tgoingtodancearoundthetruthwithhim.
“No.”Hegrabbedmyarmandtugged.
“Wait.Isanyoneelsegoingtohurtus?”
Hiseyesflickeredwithannoyance.“No.”Heturnedandheadedfromtheroom.
Ifollowedalong,feelingmybackstiffenasheledmeawayfromthepartytoasmallsittingroomwith

acozyfirejustofftheentryway.

Heturnedandlookeddownatme.
“What?”Isaid.
His mouth lunged for mine and his arms embraced me possessively. My body froze for a moment,

wonderingwhatwashappening.ButthenInoticedsomething:Hispassion.

Whatisgoingon?
Hishandmovedtocupmycheek,andhiskissdeepened.
So much emotion poured from him that I felt instantly dizzy. He’s coming around. He has to be. I

meltedintohimandlethistonguedancewithmine.Ishould’veknownthatallheneededwasatasteof
ourlove.King’sheartcouldn’tforgetme.Thathadtobewhyhe’dbehavedsostrangelyafterwehadsex.

Kingsnappedbackwithawildlookinhiseyes.“Youarefuckingamazing,Mia.Togetherwe’llbe

unstoppable.”Heslidhishandovermystomach.

Whoa.Wait.“Doyouremembermeatall,King?”
“Itoldyou,Mia,thatmanyoumarried,heisgone.Hewillneverreturn.ButwhatyouandIcanhave

willbesomuchbetter.Noonewilleverthreatenyouagain.Noonewilltouchyou.Youwillhavethe
worldatyourfeetandthelifeofthequeenyouweremeanttobe.”

Aqueen?IsthatwhathethoughtIwanted?
Inmygut,Iknewthiswasapivotalmoment.AmomentwhenIthrewinthekitchensink—myfaith,my

hope,mylove—andprayedthingswouldworkout,thatIwouldgetthroughtohimeventuallyandgethim
back.OrIthrewinthetowel,liedthroughmyteeth,andmanipulatedhim,knowingthathetoldthetruth:It
was over for us. The man I Ioved was really gone, and the best I could hope for was to end this dark
versionofhimandthe10Club.

My heart sank into a deep, dark hole. This moment felt like losing him all over again. Because,

goddammit,historyhadtaughtmethathopingdidn’tdoadamnedthing.IfIwantedtoliveandwantedmy
childrentobefreeofallthis,Ihadtoputthemfirst.Ididn’thavetheluxuryofsimplywaitingtoseewhat
mighthappen.

IfilledmymindwithpleasantmemoriesofyesterdaysothatKingwouldsensethejoyinsideme.I

rememberedthedaywemarriedonthebeachnottoofarfromourhomehereinCrete.Irememberedhow
hemadelovetome,heldme,andbeggedmetoswearIwouldneverleavehissidebecausehelovedme
somuch.IthoughtaboutthelookinhiseyeswhenheheldArchinhisarmsforthefirsttimeandrealized
that his pain and suffering for thousands of years was all worth it because he’d been given a second
chancetoliveandtobeafather.

IgazedatthereflectionoftheflamesfromthefireplacedancinginKing’ssilveryeyes.“Idon’tknow,

King.Imean,whoarethesepeople?Cantheyreallybetrustednottohurtus?”Iasked,knowingIhadto
putupalittlefight,orhewouldn’tbuymyact.Ineededhimtotrustme.

“Youhavenothingtofear,”hesaid.“AslongasyouvowtoforgettheoldKingandbeloyaltome.”

Heleaneddown,placingusnosetonose.

Ohshit.Theflamesinhiseyeswerenotfromthefireplace.“Whathappenedtoyou?”Iwhispered.
“Progress.Andyoucannotstopit,Mia.Noonecan.”
Thehairsonthebackofmyneckstoodup.

Kingpinchedmychin,pinningmewiththosedemonic-lookingeyes.“Icanseeyouwanttoholdonto

thepast,Mia.Butyoumustletgo.Yourhusbandisamemory.”

Icouldn’tmakesenseofthis.“Whathappenedtoyou?”Irepeated.
Exasperated,heshookhishead.“Whothehellcares?”
“Ido.”
He chuckled sadistically. “Do you know who that man really was, Mia? Do you know what you’re

hangingonto?”

“OfcourseIdo.”
“No. You do not. I’ve learned quite a lot about this man you seem to worship so much—this man I

oncewas.”Heshookhishead.“Soweak.Sosoft.”

Ifeltasparkofanger.“Hewasagoodperson.”
Kingfrowned.“Really?”Ourbodiesclose,heleaneddowntowhisperinmyear,“Didyouknowhe

fuckedTaliathedaybeforehedied?”

What?TaliahadbeenKing’spartnerincrimeformanyyears.Fromwhathetoldme,thingsfellapart

whenshedecidedshewantedmorefromhimandherefused.Thenhislifebecametangledwithmineand
hecutheroutcompletely.Shehadnotbeenhappyaboutthat.

Isteppedback.“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
Aneviljoytwinkledinhiseyes.“It’strue.Thismanthatyouwouldthrowawayyourlifefor,thatyou

holduponapedestal,hewasunfaithfultoyou.HefuckedthatwomaninahotelroominVegas.”

“Idon’tbelieveyou.Hewouldnever.”HehatedTalia.Shewaslikeanevilcockroachhewantedto

crush.

“It’s true,” I heard a curvy brunette say from the foyer. She was one of the women from the circle

who’djustbeentalkingtoHagne.“Hefuckedmetogethishandsonthatchalice.OnceItoldhimwhereit
was,hekilledme.”Shelaughed.

“Talia?”Imuttered.
Shesaunteredoverwithafamiliarwiggleinherhips.“Backfromthedead,youlittlebitch.”
Ihadnoclueshe’ddied;however,IfeltsocoldinsidethatIdidn’thavethestrengthtogetangryor

feelanythingotherthanmyheartshreddingintosadlittleribbons.

Taliacontinued,standingtoKing’sside.“That’sright.Hefuckedmeupagainstthewalllikeanangry

beast. I told him sooner or later I’d have something he’d want and get what I wanted.” She sighed
contentedly.“Itwassoworthgettingstrangledfor.”

Wait.Thisjustdoesn’tmakesense.Kingwouldnever.“You’rebothmakingitup.”
Kingshookhishead.“My,my,Mia.Youareastubbornone.Justaseveryonesays.Butwhydon’tyou

askmybrother’swoman,Teddi.Shewasthere.”

Myheadspun,andmyheartfeltnonexistentaseverythingsuddenlywentfrombadtoworse.SoKing

cheatedonme.Hefuckingcheatedonme?ForMack?FuckingMack?Myheartcouldn’tmakesenseof
allthis.Kingchosehisbrotheroverhischildrenandwife.Andhefuckingcheatedonme?

“Ohno.IsthelittleSeercuntfeelinghurt?”thenewTaliamockpouted.
Therageclickedoninsideme,andIexploded.“Youevilfuckingbitch!”Ilungedforher,andshefell

tothefloor.

I put my hands around her neck and squeezed. Her face twisted as she tried to push me off, but

couldn’t.“Youdisgustingpieceofshit.”Itightenedwithbothhands,watchingherfaceturnred.

“Allright,Ms.Turner,”Kingsaidwithachuckle,threadinghisarmsundermineandpullingmeup.

“Letthemeanladygo.Ididn’tbringherbackfromthedeadsoyoucouldkillheralloveragain.”

IhungontoTalia’sneckaslongasIcould,butKingpriedmyfingersloose.

Once free, Talia gasped and stumbled to her feet, rubbing her neck. “I’ll fucking kill you,” she

croaked.“Youandyourlittlebaby.I’llskinhimaliveandmakeyouwatch.”

IftherewasonethingI’dlearnedabout10Clubmembers,itwasthattheynevermadeidlethreatsand

theyneverletgoofgrudges.

“Not if I kill you first!” I spat. Blinded by anger, my eyes quickly swept the room. I grabbed a

wrought-irontablelampandswung.ItlandedrightonhertemplewithaloudcrackandTaliadroppedto
thefloor.“Youthinkyoufuckingscareme?”Iyelledatherimmobilebody.Iraisedthelamptofinishher.
Noonethreatenedmybaby.Noone.

“Thatisenough,Ms.Turner,”Kingroaredandsnatchedthelampfrommyhand.
I pointed my finger in his face, screaming, “You fuck her? You break your vows to me with this

disgusting bitch? You leave everything behind that was good in your life for this? For fucking this?” I
pushedhim,butitdidnothing.Hewasn’tarealman.Hewasmadeofillusionsandpowers,butnotreal
skinandbones.

“This,”herepliedwithacalmbutfiercetone,“istheonlythingthatmatters.Power.Andnowyousee

whatnothavingitwilldotopeople—theymustcompromise,beg,andstealtogetwhattheywant.They
are at the mercy of others.” He grabbed my still-sore wrist. “If your pathetic husband had had more
power,hesurelywouldn’thavehadtofuckhertohelphisbrother.”

“Youwanttoseepower?”Isnappedmyarmawayandstuckmymiddlefingerinhisface.“Fuckyou,

King.Youandthe10Club.”

Iturnedandlefttheroom,knowingfullwellIwasn’talone.Hewasrighttherewithme.Icouldsmell

himintheair,feelhimonmyskin,butIwouldn’tgivehimthesatisfactionofsayinganything.

I walked past several guests, who glided into the party, looking joyous and elegant. All 10 Club

members,Iassumed,whowereabouttobesoldagiantpileoffesteringbullcrapandthenlaterusedas
vesselsforKing’slittlearmy.Orbigarmy.Ididn’tknowhowfarhewouldgoandhowmanypeoplehe
wouldbringback.AllIknewwasthatKingwasroundingupsomeofthemostvile,cruel,sadisticpeople
ever to walk this earth. Even people who’d once been his enemies. He probably enjoyed making them
bowdowntohimandlickhisboots.

Sadisticprick.
Imademywaydowntheedgeofthedriveway,walkingbesideanever-endinglineofexpensivecars

and chauffeurs congregating in small groups, smoking cigarettes, and chatting about whatever 10 Club
helptalkedabout.

Aboutfifteencarsdown,IspottedArnofrowningatmeasIapproached.Isuddenlyslammedintoa

wallandnearlyfellback.

Iblinked,buttherewasnothingthere.NothingIcouldsee.
FuckingKing.
“Getthehelloutofmyway,”Isnapped.
“Havedinnerwithmetomorrownight.”
“Screwyou.”Itriedtosteparoundhimbutonlyendeduphittingthatwallagain.Imust’velookedlike

acrazydrunktoanyonewatching.

“WhatifIwanttomakeyouaproposal?Oneyou’llwanttohear,”hesaid.
Kingandhisstupiddeals.“Anotherone?Whatabouttheonewhereyoupromisenevertoactlikean

ancientdouchebag,cheating,selfishtyrantandthenbreakthatpromise?No,thankyou.”

“No.Thisoneisforyourbrother.”
Mybodyfroze,andmyhearttightenedinmychest.
“You’venowseenIhavethepowertobringanyonebackaslongasIhaveabodytogivethem.”

Inmymind,therewasnoexcuseforwhatKinghaddoneorhowhe’dhurtme,butIcouldn’tdenythat

Justin’s death, the impact it had on me and my parents, had been devastating. Justin had been a good
person with an enormous heart, whose only mistake was getting involved with Vaughn, 10 Club’s
presidentatthetime.Vaughn,asickpsychopath,somehowendedupbeingthefinancialbackerforJustin’s
big archeological dig in Southern Mexico. In exchange, Vaughn would get dibs on anything of interest
Justin unearthed. It all ended badly, of course. Justin somehow got involved with Vaughn’s mistress—
Vaughn’spropertyunder10Clublaw—andthenJustintriedtofreeherafterhefoundsomethingimportant
atthedigsite.Hethoughthecoulduseitasabargainingchipofsorts.Justindidn’tstandachance.The
mistress,pregnantmistress,didn’teither.

I killed Vaughn for what he did to Justin and the woman carrying his baby, but it hadn’t erased the

pain.TheonlypeaceitgavemewasknowingthatVaughncouldnolongergoaftermymotherandfather,
whohe’dpromisedtoskinaliveoncameraandhavesexwith.Sick,sickfucker.

“Notinterested,”Ilied,knowingKingwouldleveragethistoitsfullestifIshowedtoomuchinterest.

Onceagain,Itriedtomovepasttheinvisibleforceblockingmyway.

“Sir, back away from Mrs. Minos.” Arno stood at my side, snarling like a rabid pit bull, his eyes

lockedrightontosomethingnexttome.

“Arno,oldfriend.Sonicetoseeyou.”Kingdidnotshowhimself.
“Wearenotfriends.Stepawayfromher.”
“Orwhat?”Kingasked.
“OrtheSpiroswillkeeptheirvow,”Arnosaidcalmly.
“Dinner at the Kapsalian,” said King. “Nine o’clock.” And just like that, King was gone, the air

arounduscoolandstill.

“Let’sgo.”Arnoheldouthiselbow,gesturingformetotakeit.Mykneesjitteringandmyheartina

stateoftoxicmeltdown,Ilatchedonandallowedhimtohelpmeintothebackofthelimo.

Arnoquicklyhadusheadinghome.
“Thevowyoumentioned,whatwasthatabout?”Iasked.
Arnoremainedsilent.
“Okay.Youcan’ttellmewhatitis,butthishastobesomethingrecent.Imean,otherwise,Iwould’ve

heardallaboutit.”

Arnomadeasubtlenod.
“WasthisvowmadebeforeKinglefttogohelpMack?”
Arnonodded.
Dammit.AnotherconfirmationthatKinghadknownwhatmighthappen.He’dplannedcontingencies.
“IsitthekindofthingKingwouldmakeyoudoifIwereintrouble?”Iasked.
Arnoremainedsilent.
“Okay. He made you swear not to tell me or anyone. But King knew something bad was going to

happen,didn’the?”

“Hebelieveditwasapossibility.”
Fuck. And that meant he’d taken precautions for us. Just like he had with the wards around the

property.He’dalsomadetheSpirosloyaltome.

“Arno,ifKingwereabouttohurtme,wouldthisvowbecomerelevant?”
“YouknowIcannotsayanything,Mrs.Minos.Notwithoutriskingmyfamily’swell-being.”
OfcourseIwouldn’twantthat.ButwhateverKinghadtoldthemcouldbeusedtohurthimandprotect

us.

“Isitlotnumberninety-four?”Iasked,takingastab.

Arno’sdarkeyesshotmeaverysternlook.
Thathastobeit.Somethinginthatwarehousetheycoulduseifthingsturnedoutfortheworst.
“Justtellme,doyouknowwhat’sinlotninety-four?”Iasked.
“Idonot.”
“Butyouknowhowtogettoit,”Isaid.
Hegavemealookindicatinghemight.“Please.Icannotsayanything,Mrs.Minos.Simplyknowthat

precautionsweremade.Yourhusbandwasnotastupidman.”

Ileanedbackintheseat.SowhateverwasinthatwarehousecouldkillKingifthingswentsouth.And

KinghadtoldArnohowtogetatit,butnotwhatitwasorlikelyhowtouseit.Mackknewwhatitwas—
clearly.He’dbeentryingtobreakintothatwarehousetogetit.

So King gave two people he trusted, more or less, everything they needed to end him. But why not

me?Whywouldn’thetellme?

Becausehecheatedonme.AndKingwasafraidtoputhislifeinmyhands.
Ilaughedbitterly.Oh,King,howwellyouknowme.

CHAPTERTEN

I’mnotgoingtolie;Kinghadmebytheballs.Ihadtoshowupfordinnerandlistentohisproposal.But
what would he want from me in exchange for Justin’s life? I knew King wanted my cooperation, my
blood, and my loyalty. Was there something else? I didn’t know, but I had to remember that I wasn’t
withoutmyownbargainingchips.

So against Arno’s advice, I decided to go tonight. Mack had been MIA since our conversation

yesterdayeveningatKing’splace,whichmademewonderifsomethingterriblehadhappenedtohimin
that warehouse. Honestly, Mack wasn’t a weakling or naïve. He knew exactly what traps and dangers
awaitedanyonewhotriedtobreakin.Hell,he’dworkedforKingfor…well,Ididn’tknowexactlyhow
long,butafewcenturiesattheveryleast.

So after a few failed attempts at reaching Mack, I ended up calling Teddi, but she didn’t answer. I

wasn’tsurewhatI’dsayanyway.“Hi,it’sMia.IsMackokay?Great.Nowfuckyou!Whydidn’tyoutell
me that King screwed around on me for that damned chalice? Huh? Huh?” Make no mistake, I’d saved
Teddi’s ass one or two times when things with Mack were not in a good place and King saw her as a
threattoMack.Ithurtthatshewouldkeepsomethinglikethisfromme.

Youcan’ttrustanyone,Mia.Whenwillyoulearnthat?IhadtoacceptthatIwasaloneinthisworld

nowanditwasuptometolookafterArchandAriadna.Nooneelse.

Iputonablacksweater,jeans,andblackleatherboots.IknewKingwouldprefersomethingsexyand

feminine, but I wasn’t going there to have breakup sex or get him to look at me. We were done. Done.
Done.Ijustwantedtohearthetermsofhisdeal.

Justafternineo’clock,ArnopulleduptotheKapsalian,whichwasahistorichoteltuckedintoalush

green hillside bursting with olive trees and magnificent views of the valley below. I hadn’t explored
Creteallthatmuchsinceagreeingtolivehereasourhomebase,butthatwasonlybecausewe’dtakenthe
firstsixmonthsofmarriagetogoonahoneymoononKing’syacht.WhenArchwasborn,IhadhiminSan
Franciscoandstayedatmyparents’homeforfourweeksbeforecomingtoKing’shome.We’donlybeen
there for a short time before things with Mack began to unravel and we had to come back to the US
lookingforhim.

IslidfromthecarandaskedArnotostayclose.Thiswouldn’ttakelong.
Imademywaydownthewalkwaytowardthehotel’srestaurant.Theentireestatelookedlovely,built

ofstonewitharcheddoorwaysandwhiteplaster.Itwasaboutaselegantandrusticasyoucouldgetin
CretewithoutjumpingintothecategoryofAncientGreece’smassivetemplesbuiltinhonorofthegods.

I approached the restaurant’s arched doorway covered in twinkling white lights, where a young

woman in black heels asked for my name. I gave it and she showed me through the surprisingly empty
restaurant,outtoaterracewithaviewofthetownbelow.IsuspectedthatKingrentedouttheplacefor
thenight.Thatwashismove.Anditnolongerimpressedme.

“Ms.Turner.”Dressedinafinelytailoredblacksuit,King’stall,imposingframerosefromthetable,

andhecamearoundtoslideoutmychair.

Iwalkedoutalone,determinedtomakethisquick.“Youcandropthechivalry.I’mhereforbusiness.

Nothingmore.”

“Ilikeawomanwhoknowshowtocuttothechase.”Hewaitedformetobeseatedanyway.
Isatbegrudgingly.“Youlikeawomanwhogrovelsandcowersasshelickstheheelsofyourpolished

shoes.”

“Youaremistaken.”Hetookhisseatacrossfrommeandleanedthosebroadshouldersback.“Ican’t

standsubmissivewomen.”

“Oh.That’sright.Ialmostforgot.Youlikeitwhentheyfight.Itmakesthefunofcrushingtheirsouls

somuchmoreenjoyable.”

Helaughed.“Youknowmesowell.”
Thewaitresswalkedup,andheorderedmeascotch,neat,andhimselfamartini.
“No,thanks.I’llhavemineralwater,”Icorrected.
Kinglookeddownatmystomachastheyoungwomanscurriedoffwithanervous-lookingposture.
“Myapologies.”Hedippedhishead.“Ialmostforgot.AndIthankyoufortakingsuchcarewithmy

daughter.”

Myfistsballedunderthetable.“She’snotreallyyours,nowisshe?”
“Ofcoursesheis.”
“Funny, when it comes to talking about the things you did before your last encounter with death—

cheating,forexample,orpromisesyoumadetopeople—youwashyourhands.Butyouwilltakecredit
formybaby?”

“WhatcanIsay?I’maman.Itakeresponsibilitywhenitconveniencesme.”Heflashedthattrademark

smileacrossthetable.

“Allright,King.Idon’thavetimeforyourgames.Nameyourprice.”Ifoldedmyarmsandsatbackin

thechair.

“Oh,”heleanedin,“butMs.Turner,IwasabouttotellyouhowmuchIenjoyedourfuckyesterday—

thetasteofyourlips,thecreamyheatbetweenyourthighs,thewayyoumoanedwhenIcameinsideyou.”

Iliftedmybrows,hopinghe’dseethemiddlefingersstickingoutofthem.Ihadlovedthisman.More

thanmyownlife.Nowhetreatedmyheartlikeagame?

“Eh…yeah,no.Thereisnothingyoucansaytome,King,thatwillgetmewhereyouwanttogo.Not

to your bed, your desk, your side—nowhere. So I’ll give you ten seconds to tell me what you want in
exchangeforJustinandthenI’mgettingupfromthistable.”

Hisdevilishsmilemeltedaway.“Youpushhardforawomanwhoholdsnocards.”
“Iholdplentyandtellingyouwhattheyareisarookymove.Speak.Fiveseconds.”
Kingtiltedhisheadandstared.
“Okay.”Istood.“Haveanicelife,ifthat’swhatyoucallyourevilexistence.”
“Vaughn or Justin, Ms. Turner. Which would you like me to bring back? Because the choice is all

yours.”

Istoppedinmytracks.Fuck.Fuck!Fuck!Ihadnotseenthatcoming.
Islowlysatbackdown,tryingtokeepmybreathingsteadydespitethesheerterrornowclawingatmy

insides. How the hell did this man always know the way to motivate me? The asshole doesn’t even
rememberme.

Oh,buthe’sbeencallingoutthedead,whoknowplenty.
“I’m listening, King. But if you bring back Vaughn, he’ll kill me. Me and this baby.” Along with

everyoneinmyfamilyafterheskinnedthemalive.

“Oh,Ms.Turner,”heplacedhiselbowsonthetable,ahappyevilgleaminhisbeautifulsilveryeyes,

“whatmakesyouthinkIwouldallowthat?”

The waitress showed up with our drinks and quickly fled the scene. She must’ve sensed the

malevolencebuzzingaroundinthecoolnightair.

King lifted his frosty-looking martini, sipped appreciatively, and set the delicate glass on the white

tablecloth.“Iwouldmakehimwaittokillyouafterthebabywasborn.Doyouthinkmeabarbarian?”

“Wow.Youare…”Ilackedthewords,soIwentwithaverysarcastic,“awesome.”
“Iamamanwhogetswhathewants.”
“Andwhatdoyouwant?Oh,wait.”Istuckoutmypalm.“Iwantyou,Ms.Turner,”Isaidinadeep

mockingvoice.

Hesnickeredarrogantly.“Verygood,Mia.”
Notreally.Kingwasverypredictablewhenitcametome.“SoIagreetobeyoursandyou’llgiveme

backJustin.”

“I think the more accurate way to summarize the situation is that you agree to be mine, and I won’t

bringbackVaughn.Oh,yes.Andyougettoliveandbeamothertoyourchildren.”

Hehadtohavethoughtthisthrough.Meaning,heknewhemightbeabletobackmeintoacornerwith

his threats, but sooner or later, I’d try to find a way to change the game. That meant he would use
whateverleveragehecouldtokeepmeincheckinperpetuity,andtherewasonlyonething—makethat
two—hecouldeverreallyuseagainstme.

No.No.Iamnotallowingthisshittohappen.Iwouldnotsayyestoalifetimeofbeinghisdoormat

whilehedidwhathewantedtomeandusedmychildrenasleverage.

I rose from the table, holding back the urge to spit in his gorgeous face. “No fucking deal. I won’t

becomeyourlittletoyandletyouuseourbabiestokeepmeincheck.Iwon’tlivemylifewithsomeone
whose word is worthless and whose heart is a bottomless dark pit. And as for Vaughn,” I planted my
handsonthetable,snarling,“bringitthefuckon.Ikilledhimonce.Iamnotafraidtokillhimagain.And
ifyoucomenearme,King,ifyouthreatenme,itwillbeyourdownfall.Ironically,youmadesureofthat.”
HehadtoknowthatArnoandMackheldthekeytoendinghimbyhisowndesign.Ilaughed.“Youfucked
yourself.”

In an instant, King had me dangling in his powerful hand by the neck. “Watch yourself, Ms. Turner.

Thatbabywon’tbeinsideyouforever.”Hesetmedown,andIclutchedmyneck.

“Youcan’tbreakme,King,becauseI’mdonebeingafraid.”Istraightenedmyback,stooduponmy

tiptoes,andpulledhismouthdowntomine.Ikissedhimhardandthenlethimgo.“Noonelovedyouas
muchasIdid,King.Noone.Andthat’sthefunnythingaboutlove;itcanturnsoeasilyintohate.”

Henoddedwithalaugh.“Deargod,Ms.Turner,youaresodelightful.Iamgoingtoenjoybreaking

youimmensely.”

Justlikethat,Kingwasgone.Idrewanexasperatedbreathandlookedupatthestarrynight,praying

forstrengthandpatience.Mylackofsubmissionhadjustmadehimmoredeterminedthanevertobreak
me.Hewouldneverstop.Hewouldneverletgo.

Abitterchillsweptthroughmybody.Iknewnowwhathadtobedone.Ihadtogetmyhandsonlot

ninety-fourandpulltheproverbialtrigger.

Islidintotheawaitinglimo.“Drive,Arno.”
“Everythingalright,ma’am?”
“No.Butitwillbe.”
Thirtyminuteslater,wepulleduptothehouseandfoundaredFerrariparkedinthedriveway.Mack!

OnlyhewouldrentafreakingFerrarifromtheairport.Helovedcars.Andplanesandgunsandallthat
tough-guyshit.

IwalkedinthefrontdoorandfoundMackstandingtherewaitingforme.
“SowhendowekillKing?”Iasked.

CHAPTERELEVEN

Mack and I sat in the living room with its panoramic view of the ocean that was now just a sea of
darkness.Sofitting.That’showIfeelinside.

I quickly placed my hand on my stomach, correcting myself. The little Seer inside me could not be

allowedtogrowwithsomuchhateandanger.Ihadtofocusonthelightattheendofthetunnel,whichfor
mewasknowingmybabieswouldbesafe.

“I’m sorry for not telling you about Talia.” Mack rose from the couch across from me and began

pacingthelengthoftheopenroomwithbrightwhitefurniture—King’sfavorite.“Teddiissorry,too.But
wedidn’tseethepoint.Kingwasdead,andwealreadyknewhowharditwasforyoutoacceptthathe
tradedhislifeformine.”

Inodded,grindingmyjaw,armscrossed,staringoutintotheabyss.
He continued, “I’m sorry, Mia. But we only wanted to protect you and let you focus on Arch and

puttingyourlifebacktogether…and…”Heblewoutabreath.“Thishasn’tbeeneasyforanyofus.You
havetoknowthat.”

HeandTeddididn’tunderstandthattheywereapartofmylife,too.Andthentofindoutthey’dbeen

hidingthingsfromme?ThatIcouldn’tfullytrustthem?Itwasgoddamnedpainful.They’dsavedmefrom
nothing.

“Fine.What’sdoneisdone,”Isaid,knowingwehadbiggerfishtofry.“Where’sTeddinow?”
“Theodoraishereontheislandwithme.She’satthehotel,restingrightnow.”
Teddi was Theodora’s nickname and it didn’t fit her one bit. She was a Seer who would become

extremelypowerfulonceshelearnedhowtocontrolhergifts.Atleast,thatwasmyassumption.Butthe
nameTeddisoundedwarmandfuzzyandharmless.

“Iguessthat’swhyyouguysweren’tansweringyourphones,”Isaid,thinkingoutloud.They’dboth

beenonaplane.“ButI’msurprisedyoubroughtherwithyou.”

“Ifeelbetterwhenshe’swithme.She’spregnant,Mia.”Mack’svoicewasfilledwithheaviness.
I turned to look at him. “That’s great news.” They weren’t married yet, but they both wanted kids.

Didn’treallymattertheorder.

“No,it’sfuckingscaryashellnews.Thisisabadtime.”Mackranhishandsthroughhisdarkhair,and

itpainedmetolookathim.HeandKingtrulywereidentical.

“I’mpregnant,too,”Isaid.“SoIfullycomprehendwhereyou’recomingfrom.”
Mack’sblue,blueeyeswidenedwithshock.“Wow.Congratulations?”
Inoddedsolemnly.Weallknewthattheseweredangeroustimes.“Thanks.”
“Well,thatjustmakesthisallthemoreimportantforustofinish.”
“Didyougetlotninety-four?”Iasked.
“Yes.Arnocalledyesterdayandtoldmehowtogetit.”
Ishotupfromthecouch.“Hedid?”
“HesaidthatKinghadthreatenedyourlife,anditwastimesincethecriteriaKinggavehimhadbeen

met.”

Whyhadn’tArnosaidanything?Ofcourse,hewasamanoffewwords.
“Whatwasthecriteria?”Iasked.
“Kingapparentlyleftusbothnotes.Theysaidthatifthingswentwrongandhecamebackagain,that

weweretouselotninety-fourtoprotectyouandArchifhewasn’t…incontrol.”

Weallknewwhatthatlookedlike.BeforeI’dbroughtKingback,he’dhaddifferentpointsinhislife

wherethecurseinsidehimmadehimdohorriblethings.He’dkilled,tortured,andevenpunishedhimself.
Eventually,he’dlearnedtricksandacquiredstrangetattoosthathelpedhimkeepthedemonsatbay.

“Okay.Sothisisgood,”Isaid,notactuallymeaningit.Nothingaboutthiswasgood.
Macktookaglassvialfromhispocketandplaceditontheglasscoffeetablenexttothecouchwhere

Isat.

“What’sthat?”
“Lotninety-four.It’savialofink.”
Ink?Icockedabrow.
Hereachedintohisotherpocketandpulledoutafoldedpieceofpaper.
“Whatareyouplanningtodo?”Iasked.“WriteKinganotethatsayspleasedie?”
“ThisisthebloodofKalamos,theGreekgodofthereed,orpen,ifyouwill.Youwritethenamesof

yourenemiesonpaperandtheywilldie.”

Ilaughed.Howstupid.“Great.We’retotallyfucked.”
“DoyouthinkKingwouldleavebehindajoketoprotectyourlife?”
“No.Butthebloodofagod?”
“That’swhatit’scalled.Thatdoesn’tmeanit’sreallythebloodofagod.Ourpeopleinancienttimes

werebigfansofgivingthingsdramaticnames.”

“Thenwhatisit?”Iasked.
“Ink.Verypowerfulanddeadlyink.”
Iwrappedmyheadarounditreluctantly.“Soit’sadeathcurseofsorts.”
“Yes.”
“Andwheredoesitspowercomefrom?”Objectswithpowerdidn’tpopupingardens.Theyhadto

bemadeandgivenpowerbypeoplewhohadit.

“Myguess?ItcamefromSeerblood.”
Irubbedmyface.KinghadkilledalotofSeers.Hishateforthemhadbeendeeplyseededinhishate

for Hagne and her family, who were the reason his people died. He’d wanted to rid the world of their
kind in retaliation. Of course, I was a Seer, too, but he never saw me as the enemy. Well, that’s all
changing.

“Okay.Sowhatdowedo?”Iexpectedwe’dhavetodosomeelaboratespell.
“Wewritehisnameonthepaper.”
“That’sit?”Seemedtooeasy.
“That’sit.”
“AndKingwon’tbeabletocomebackthistime?”
“This curse doesn’t merely kill the body, it kills the soul. They cannot come back because there is

nothingleft.”

Mybloodcurdledinmyveins.Thiswasit.ThemomentweendedKing.Andwithhim,anyhopeof

evergettingbackwhatI’dlost,evenifthathopewasthesizeofaspeckofdust,woulddie.Iwouldhave
tomournhimalloveragain.

Idrewabreath.“Iwilldoit.”IfeltIowedKingandourmemorythatmuch.
“Wecan’t.”
Iblinkedawaymyformingtears.“Whynot?”
“Weneedthenamesofthe10Clubmembersfirst.”
Mybrainconnectedthedots.“Kingistheonlyonewhoknowswhoallofthemembersare.”AndI

didn’t just mean the names on their birth certificates or passports. Some of these people were not who
theyappearedtobeontheoutside.

“Yes.SoifweonlykillKing,10Clubwill—”
“Keepgoing,”Isurmised.“Anotherpersonwillstepupandtakeover.They’veallgottodie.”Ishook

myhead.Fuck.Whydoesthisjustkeepgettingharder?“Kingisnotgoingtogiveusthosenames.”

“Hewillifhehastochoosebetweenthemorhimself.”
“Soyouwanttothreatenhim,getthenames,andthenstabhiminthebackandputhisnameonthelist

anyway.”

“Yes.”
“What’s your plan to keep King from just lopping your head off before you have a chance to do

anything?”

“YouandTheodoraarestayinghereinthecompound,whereit’ssafe.I’llbeonthephonewithyouso

youcanwritedownnamesaswego.Kingcan’tgetinhere.”Mackunfoldedthepieceofpaper,pulledout
anoldnibpen,anduncorkedthebottle.Hedippedthetipintothedarkredliquidandbeganwriting.I
watchedashespelledoutthelettersK,I,andN.Hethenhandedittome.“Ifanythinghappens,anythingat
all,youputdownaG,Mia.Areweclear?”

“Andthenwhat?”
“IgotoplanB.”
“You’regoingtotakeover10Club.”
“Yes. I’ll step in as King and gather names from the inside. It will simply take longer and present

moreofarisk.”

Iwalkedovertothewindowandlookedoutacrossthedarkocean,feelingtheweightoftheworldon

myshoulders.“Ihateyourplan.Ihateeverythingaboutitandthissituation.”

“You think I want to kill King? He’s been half of my soul for three thousand years and there isn’t

anythingIwouldn’tdoforhim.ButIknowthatthiswasn’twhathewantedforus.Iknowhewouldwant
metokillhimifitcametothis,andIdidn’tneedanotefromhimtotellmethat.Butmakenomistake,
whenhedies,apieceofmewilldiewithhim,andIwon’tevergetitbackorfeelwholeagainwithout
him.”

Ilookeddownatmytremblinghands.“Whenareyougoingtoseehim?”
“Tonight. Theodora’s just waiting for me to tell her to come here.” He shrugged. “I wanted to talk

thingsoutwithyoufirst.”

He slid out his phone and dialed. “Hey, it’s me. I’m—” I watched Mack’s beautiful face fade from

neutraltoinfuriated,lacedwithabitofterror.

HisAdam’sapplebobbed.“Yes,I’llberightthere.”Heendedthecall.“KingiswithTheodora.He

sayshewantstotalk.”

“Fuck.”Badtoworsetohell.
“Ihavetogo.”Mackstormedtowardthefrontdoor.
“I’mcomingwithyou.”
“No. You’re staying right here. You and that ink are the only things that can keep Theodora and me

alive.”

CHAPTERTWELVE

MackcalledmefromhiscaronthewaytothehotelandtoldmeIwastolistenclosely.Ifhegavethe
word,Iwastowritethefinalletteronthepaper.IfthelinecutorIstoppedhearinganything,Iwasto
writethatfinalletter.Basically,takenochances.KillKingunlesswegothiscompliance.

TenminutespassedasIsatthereonmycouch,listeningtotherumbleofMack’sFerrariandthenoise

oftraffic.Inmyshakinghand,Iheldthepeninkedandreadytogo.Sweattrickleddownmyspine,andmy
eyeskeptblurringfromthetearsIwilledaway.IheldKing’slifeinmyhandsand,eventhoughIknew
thismanwasn’treallyhim,partofmestillwantedtoclingtothehopethattherewasaway.Amiracle
waitingtohappen.Butmymindarguedback.

Youhavetodothis,Mia.Youhaveto.
Isuddenlyheardheavyfootstepsandthenthecreakofadooropening.
“King,sonicetoseeyou,”saidMack.“NowletTheodoraleave.YouandIcanresolvethisonour

own.”

IheardKing’ssadisticlaugh.“Oh,wesureashellwill,mybrother.”Thecellphonewentdead.
“What?No,no,no.Fuck.”IpickedupthephoneandlookedatthescreenthatreadCallEnded.
Ithrewbackmyhead.Shit.Shit.WhatdoIdo?
IfIcalledback,itwouldonlywastetime.Kingcouldbekillingthemrightnow!
My hand shook with fear. My body went cold and numb, but my heart felt like it was being pushed

throughasieve.Painful.Itdidn’twanttogototheplaceitneededto.

ButMackhadbeenclear,andIcouldn’targue.Ifanythinghappened,anythingatall,Ihadtodoit.
“Iloveyou,King.”IstartedtocryandcarefullyscriptedaGontothepaper.Ithensetdownthepen.I

felt like I’d lost him all over again. Why did it all have to end like this? What was the purpose of
everythingwe’dallgonethrough?

Thisjustwasn’tfair.Itwasn’t.
Myphoneranglikeasirenofdoom.Islowlyreachedoutmyhandandpushedthespeaker.“Hello?”
“Mia,it’sTeddi,”shesaid,hervoicehighpitchedandquivering.
“Whathappened?”
“Idon’t know. Kinggrabbed me. Macklunged for him andthen collapsed. Mack’son the floor and

Kingdisappeared.”

Ipushedmylidsclosedandtiltedmyheadtowardtheceiling.Shit.Shit.Shit. King took Mack out

beforeIcouldgethim.

“He’sstillbreathing,buthe’sunconscious,”Teddiadded,hervoicehysterical.
“What?”Iwhooshedoutabreath.“I’llberightthere.Don’tmove.”
Ijerkedupfromthesofaandeyedthetinybottleofink.Itwouldbesaferhere,butwhatifIneededit?

WhatifKingwasn’tgone?

No. That didn’t make any sense. If King was still alive, if that was what I could call him, the ink

hadn’tworked.

Igrabbedthepaper,ink,andpenandscrambledupstairs,depositingthemcarefullyintothesafeinmy

closet.ItwaslateandArchandYpirétriaweresoundasleep,soIleftanote.Arnocouldtranslateitfor
hersinceIcouldn’twriteinGreekandshecouldn’treadorspeakEnglish.

Irantothesix-cargarageandgrabbedthefirstvehicle.King’ssleekblackMercedes—oneofmany

heowned—andIhittheroad.

Tenminuteslater,Ipulleduptothehotel’spalm-tree-linedcirculardrivewayandrealizedIhadno

ideawhatroomTeddiwasin.Ihandedthecarovertothevaletandsprintedintothelobby.Teddididn’t
answerherphone,whichsentmyheartintoanothertailspin.

“Hi,I’mlookingfor…for…TheodoraandMackMinos,”Isaidtothereceptionist.
“I’m sorry, ma’am, but we cannot give out guests’ room numbers. You can call them on the house

phone,ifyoulike.”

“It’sanemergency.”
Thewomanpickedupthephone,andIreachedacrossthecountertopushdownthereceiver.
“Whatroom?”Igrowled.
ThewomanwasabouttosaysomethingthatIassumedwouldcomefromacanofon-the-job-training

bullcrap.

Ileanedin.“Listentome,honey.Ifyoudonotgivemethatroomnumber,Iwillhopoverthatcounter

andbeatitoutofyou.Andtrustme,thepolicewon’tdoshitbecauseeventheSpirosknownottofuck
withme.Gotit?”

ItwastheoneadvantageofhavingtheSpirosloyaltome.Halfofthemwerepolice.Theotherhalf

ownedahundreddifferentbusinessesorheldpositionsinthelocalgovernmentonthisisland.

Shepointedtoherright.“Theyareinthepresidentialsuite.”
Irolledmyeyes.Ofcoursetheywere.
Shecontinued,“Taketheelevatortothetopfloorandgolefttotheendofthehall.”
“Thankyou.”IranasfastasIcould,skippingtheelevatorandtakingthestairsuptothefifthfloor.

Thishotelwasreallyabeachsideresort,withcabanas,villasandsuites.

Igottothesuiteandtappedonthedoor.
Teddiansweredrightaway.“Itallhappenedsofast.”Shesniffled,herfacerawwithtears.
I stormed inside and immediately spotted Mack lying on the ground. Other than that, nothing was

brokenoroutofplace.“Hashemoved?”

“No.”Sheshookherhead.“Andhispulseisrapid.”
Ileanedoverhim,feelinghiswarmbreathonmycheek.KingmightnothavehadtimetokillMack,

buthe’ddonesomethingtohim.

“ItoldMackthiswasamistakecominghere,”shewhimpered.“ItoldhimtojustendKingwhilewe

hadachance.”

Istoodupandtookherhand.“Iknowhowyou’refeelingrightnow.Ireallydo.Butwehavetothink.

AreyousureKingisgone?”

Shelookedawayfromthedisturbingscenebeforeus,towardtheopenwindow.“Idon’tknow.Isaw

himswingforMackandthenhishandjustsortofpassedthroughhim.Kinglookedconfused,andthenhe
wrappedhisarmsaroundMack’sneckandbegantugging,likehewastryingtograbontohim.ThenMack
justfelltothefloor.”

OhmyGod.“Thisissofuckingawful.”Ineededtothink.WithoutMack,weweredeadinthewater.

AndpoorTeddi.Iknewhowshefelt.Ifeltthesame.Butwecouldn’taffordtojustsitanddonothing.

“Let’sgetMackuponthebed.”Itookhisarms,andshetookhisfeet.LikeKing,Mackwasabigguy.

Six three. Lean solid muscle. Broad shoulders. They weren’t meaty men, but they were strong and
weighedaton.

Between the two of us, we managed to get him up on the bed just before there was a knock on the

door.

“Let me,” I said and went over to check the peephole. A robust-looking security guard stood there

withanintimidatingscowl.

Great.
Iopenedthedoor.“Everything’sfinehereandyoucantellthereceptionistdownstairs—”
“Mrs.Minos,wejustwantedtobesureyou’reallright.”
InoticedhisnametaghadthewordSpiroswrittenonit.
“Thereceptionistismycousin,”hesaid.
“Oh.I’msosorry.Iwouldn’treallyhavehurther,”Ilied.Isowould’vekickedthehelloutofherif

I’dhadto.

“Soeverything’sfine?”heasked.
“Yes.Thankyou.Allgood.”
“I’lljustbestandingouthereuntilArnogetshere.”
Ohno.Arno.Ihadn’tcalledhimtotellhimwhatwasgoingon.Hewouldnotbehappy.
“Thankyou.”IshutthedoorandturnedtowardTeddi,whojuststoodtherewithhermouthhanging

open,herfaceaspaleasasheetofpaper.Myeyesfollowedherstowardthebed.

Macksatup,glaringatherwithsuchaviciousscowlittookmeamomenttorealize.
“Fuck.That’snotMack,isit?”Iwhispered.
Sheshookherheadno.
Christalmighty.IguessnowweknowwhyKingwastuggingonMack.Hewasthrowinghimoutof

hisbody.

“Well, well, well, Ms. Turner.” King turned his hateful gaze toward mine. “Aren’t you full of

surprises?”

“Butyou…youweren’tsupposedto…”
“Live? Oh, don’t worry. I’m going to die. That you may be sure of. But I think you forgot one

importantthing:Mackhasbeenlivinginmybody.You’vekilledusboth.”

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

It took Teddi and me several moments of standing there to fully absorb the horror and comprehend the
missingpiecetoallthis—whatreallyhappenedthedaythatKingresurrectedMack.Teddihadbeenthere,
andshesaidthatKinghadsimplyvanishedintotheground.ThenMackappearedinhisoldbody,theone
he’dbeenbornwith.

Wrong.
Wehadn’tseenthetruthbecausenoonehadquestionedthemechanics.Ihadbeenoutofmymindwith

grief,toodevastatedfromlosingmyhusband.Teddihadbeentoofocusedonthemiraclebeforeher.And
neitherofusconnectedthateventtoKing’srecentactivityofgrabbingwarmlivingbodiesforhisdead,
newlyresurrectedbuddies.Wesimplyhadn’tseenit:Thesoulneededsomewheretogo.AndwhenKing
usedthechaliceonMack,hehadgivenuphisbodyforhisbrother.

“WhythehellwouldKingdothis?”Teddiwhisperedunderherbreath,tryingherbesttokeepfrom

fallingapart.

IwishedIknew.Itrulydid.BecauseifKinghadseenthisallcoming,thenitmeantheknewtheink

wouldtakeMackdownwithhim.Itkillsthebodyandthesoul.

OhGod.IfIwasright,thatmeantifitcamedowntoourlivesversusKing’sandMack’s,Kingwanted

ustolive.Kinghadchosenme—us—overhisbrother.Helikelyhadhoped,however,thathecouldkeep
usallalive,thatitwouldnotcometothis.

Itwasabittersweetmoment.
Iwenttothelittlesittingareabythedooranddroppeddown,thetearsforminginmyeyes.
Teddisatbesideme,hereyesglazedoverandfacelackinganyemotion.Shewasinshock.SowasI.
“He’sdying,”shewhispered,givingmyhandalightsqueeze.
Iacrosstheroomatthemanlyingonthebed,tryingtomakeoutthedetailsofKing’setherealbeauty

throughtheblurofsaltytearsscreamingfrommyface.Ipressedthemoisturefrommyeyeswithmypalms
andwipedthemonthebackofmyjeans.King’sfacegrewpalerbythesecond.Hiseyeswereclosedand
breathingrapid.

Icouldn’tfocus.Icouldn’tputthepiecestogetherinsidemyheadofwhattodo.Theblowwasjust

toomuch.LosingKing.LosingMack.KnowingKingdidloveusenoughtogiveupsomeoneheheldso
dear.

Itwasalltoomuch.
“Youhavetoaskhim,Mia,”Teddiwhispered.“Youhavetotry.Evenifyouhavetolie.”
Istaredintoherbloodshotgreeneyes,hearingher,nothearingher.
“Mia,”shehiccuppeddownabreath,“youhavetotry.Ican’tknowthatMackdiedfornothing.You

can’tdothattome.”

Ishookmyhead.Somuchconfusion.“Idon’tunderstand.”
“Thenames,Mia.Getthenames.Anddoitquickly.”
Names,names.Shewantednames.“Whatnames?”
“10Club.”
Oh.Them.Theydidn’tfeelreal.Noneofthisdid.Ifeltnumbfromheadtotoe.
Ilookedacrossthehotelroomatthemaninthebed,hisfacenearlylifeless,andralliedthewillto

stand.Onestep,thenanother,andIwaskneelingnexttohim,pressinghiscoldhandtomycheek.

“Iwillneverunderstandanyofthis,King,butifyoucanhearme—therealyou—Ijustwantyouto

knowIforgiveyou.”Itwaspainfulandhorrific,butIwassuddenlythinkingaboutwhatImightdotosave
himormychildren.WouldIsleepwithsomeoneifitmeantsavingtheirlives?

Yes.
Iwould.
IwouldgiveeverythingIhad—mylife,mysoul,mybody—inaheartbeat.Damnyou,King.Ifinally

understoodwhathe’ddone.He’dusedeverythinginhispower,evenhisbody,totrytosavesomeonehe
loved with all his heart. There wasn’t a piece of himself he wouldn’t sacrifice for us, and I could no
longerholdhisinfidelityagainsthim.NorcouldIblamehimforabandoningusorthefacthe’dcomeback
sobroken.BecausenowIknew,withoutadoubt,thatnoneofthishadbeenthedesiredoutcome.Butyou
knewyouwouldhavetogiveupeverythingtotrytosaveMack,didn’tyou,King?However,Kingalso
knewhimself.He’dacquiredsomuchknowledgeandpoweroverthousandsofyears,heprobablyfeared
hemightnotstaydead.Andifhe’dhadtotradehissoulforMack’s,heknewhe’dreturnasamonster.So
Kinghadmadesuretherewassomesortoffail-safeiftheworstcametobe.Theink.Inshort,Kinghad
beenwillingtogivehisownlifeforMack’s,butnotours.

“I love you,” I whispered, holding his hand to my cheek. “And if you’re still in there somewhere

fighting,Ineedyourhelp.Weneedtoknowthenamestoputonthelist,King.”

Hecoughedandwheezed,hisblueeyesslittingopen.“Iamtouched,Ms.Turner.Truly,”hemumbled.

“ButitisasItoldyou.Thatmanisgone.”

Ilookedintohiseyes.“You’renotcomingbackthistime,King.Whynotjusthelpme?Whynothelp

your son and your daughter? Because 10 Club will take her the moment she’s born; some sadistic man
willmakeherhisslaveorworse.Youcan’tpossiblywantthatforher.”

Kingsmiledweakly.“Ifthey’retrulymychildren,fearwillmakethemstrong,andtheywillrisetothe

top.”

Ifeltmybloodsourinhorror.“No.No,they’lllivetormentedlives.They’llbecomelikeyou—ifthey

survive.”

Kingopenedhiseyeswideandalert.“Ialwaysbelievedalittledarknessishealthyinaperson.Good

forthesoul.”

Idroppedmyforeheadtohishand.“Whatyou’vecreatedisn’talittledarkness.It’ssomuchworse.

Whywouldyouwantthis?”

“Itis,”hesaidwithabreathyvoice,“asItoldyou.Poweriseverything.AndIamthroughlivinglike

a cockroach in the shadows. I am a king. A powerful king born to rule, and all I needed was the right
army.”

Iliftedmyheadandtiltedittotheside.“Youwantedtobekingof…everyone?”
Hesmiledlopsidedly.“Peoplearesavages,Ms.Turner.Simplylookatthisworld—themasskillings

overoil,rape,genocide,corruption.Whattheworldneedsisacruelhandtokeepitincheck.”

Sothatwashisplan?Resurrectthemostpowerfulpeoplehe’deverknown,usesomesortofmagicto

makethemallloyaltohim—likehe’ddonewiththeSpiros—andthenbekingagain.

“You’reoutofyourmind,”Iwhispered.
“AmI?”herepliedinaslowvoice,hisbreathinglabored.“10Clubalreadyrunsthisworld.Imerely

proposedtobringthemintothelightandmakeitofficial.Withmypeopleatthehelm,ofcourse.”

“Whoareyourpeople,King?Givemethenames.”
“Talia,I’veonlygotaminute.Youaretotakeoverasplanned.”
Talia?ThatwaswhenInoticedhewasn’ttalkingtome.Hehadacellinhishand.Ithadtobefrom

Mack’spocket.Hemust’vedialedwhenIhadmyheaddown.

“Shit!”IsnatchedthedeviceawayrightasTalia’svoicecameoverthespeaker.
“Iwillfindawaytobringyouback,King,”Taliasaid.
“What?No!”Igasped.
“Isthatbitchtherewithyou?”shesaid.“TellherI’mcomingforher.”
Iendedthecallandchuckedthephoneagainstthewall.“Goddammit!Whywouldyoudothat?”
Kingflashedaweak,butsadisticgrin.“BecauseInevergiveup.AndTaliawon’teither.”Thelight

fadedfromhiseyes.

“No,”Imutteredinhorror.“No!No.Youcan’tdothis!”Ipoundedonhischest.“Givemethenames,

forfuck’ssake,”Iscreamed,crying.“Youcan’tdothistous!”

“Mia.”Ifeltagentletugonmyarm,buttheemotionshadholdofmenow,theimagesofthetorture

andtormentmychildrenwouldendure.

“No!”Ipushedherbackandstraddledhim,beatinghischest.“Youcan’tdothis!”
“He’sgone,Mia.Welost.”Teddicriedhysterically.
“No…”Irestedmyforeheadonhischestandsobbed.“PleaseGod.Don’tdothistous.”
Sadly,noonewaslistening.Kingwasdead.Mackwasdead.And10Clubwasalive.Withfucking

Taliaatthehelm.OhGod.

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

I don’t remember Arno arriving to the hotel room. I don’t remember them taking the body away to be
buriedforthesecondtimeintheking’ssacredtomb,whereverthehellthatwas.Idon’trememberTeddi
cominghomewithme.Idon’tremembereatingordrinkingorpissingorbreathingoranything.

Mymindwasconsumedbythemosthorrificdarknessimaginable.Devastationwasfivestepsupfrom

whereIlived.

The most powerful, evil people ever to cross King’s path were now free, alive, and working as a

team under the world’s most sadistic bitch. In some ways, Talia was worse than King because she
enjoyed killing just for fun. King always had a reason for everything he did, even if they weren’t nice
reasons. But Talia, who had been King’s partner of sorts before I came along, had been obsessed with
him.Isuspectedthatwaswhyhehandedover10Clubtoher.Shewouldn’trestuntilshebroughtKing
back,andshewouldrule10Clubwithanironfist.

Andsoon,10Clubwillcomeforme.TheywouldcomeforTeddiandArch,too.
Worst of all, the pain of losing King had been reignited. I could no longer shield my grief with

bitternessandanger.ThemanIloveddideverythinghecouldtosavehisbrotherandkeepusallsafe.He
carednothingforhimselforhisownhappiness.Wewereallthatmattered.

Igotupfrombedandglancedattheclockonthenightstand.Threea.m.
IwenttoArch’sroom,nexttomine,andfoundthecribempty.Istumbledmywaydownthehallto

Ypirétria’sroom,butfoundTeddicurledupinherbedinstead.ShehadherarmswrappedaroundArch.A
boxofspenttissueslayonthenightstandalongsidepilesofcrumpledwadsflowingontothefloor.

Isighed.“I’msosorry,Theodora.”Shewaspregnantandhadlostamanthatshe’dbeenborntolove.

And thanks to me, she was now alone. I’d put that nail in Mack’s coffin. I should’ve seen what would
happen.

I slid into bed, putting Arch between us. The light in the hallway shined on his pouty little lips,

catching the lines of his thick black lashes fanning across his chubby cheeks. I slid my palm over his
stomach.“Iloveyou,littleguy.”

“You’reawake.”Teddilookedatmewiththosestunninggreeneyes.
“Idon’tknow.AmI?”IwentbacktostrokingArch’slittlestomach.
“Hewascrying.Hemissesyou.”
“Imissedhim,too.”EvenifIhadn’tbeenlucid.“HowmanyhourswasIout?”
“Youweregoneforoveraday.”
Thattookamomenttosinkin.“How’sthatpossible?”
“Youwereinconsolable.Wehadtosedateyou.”
“Oh.”
“Iwouldn’tletthemdrugyoutonight,though,”shesaid.
“DoIwanttoknowwhy?”Iwhispered.
“ArnosaidheheardrumorsaroundtownofabigpartyatKing’splacetonight.Peopleareflyingin

fromallover.Importantpeople.”

Ohfuck.A10Clubgathering.“Wehavetoleavehere.”
“That’stheproblem,”shesaid.“Thereisn’tasaferplace.”
I nodded solemnly. She was right. King had done everything possible to make this a fortress where

“bad things” couldn’t enter. That said, “Sooner or later we’ll have to leave. We can’t live in here
forever.”

“Iknow,”shesaid.“Sowhatarewegoingtodo,Mia?”
Her question wasn’t rhetorical. She looked to me for the answer. I was the only way she could see

out.

Irolledontomybackandstaredattheceiling.Ihadnothing.
“Please, Mia. Mack and King are gone. They’re not coming back, and I don’t know anything about

Seersor10Cluborhowtogetoutofthis.Butyoudo.Youhavetoknowofsomethingwecando.”

“Idon’t.”Iletoutabreath.“I’msosorry,butIdon’tknow.”IwishedIdid.
“Mia.”Shesatupandcrossedherlegs.“Ifyoueventhinkofgivingup,Iwillripoutyourgoddamned

eyes. You can’t let me die. You can’t let Mack’s baby die. You can’t let your entire family go out like
this.”

Icoveredmyeyeswithmyarm,butdidn’tspeak.
“Please,Mia.Whateverpossibilitythereisnottoberaped,tortured,murdered,andnottowatchour

childrendie,youhavetodoit.Justtellmewhattodo.”

Iscrubbedmymind,tryingtoignorethethrobbingheartacheinmychest.“I’msorry.Ican’t.”Igotup

fromthebedandscoopedupArch,intendingtotuckhimbackinhiscrib.

Teddidashedtothedoorwayandheldoutherarm.“Irefusetoletitendhere,Mia.Ifuckingrefuse.”
“Idon’tknowwhattodo,Teddi.Ifwerun,they’lltrackusdown.Ifwefight,we’lllose.Thereare

toomanyofthem.”Kinghadbeenright;theonlythingthatmatteredwaspower.Ifyouhappentoenjoy
stayingalive.

“Try fucking harder,” she snarled. “Think. Think about anything King told you, anything you saw or

learnedor…anythingtoendthem.”

Ihadtried.AmilliontimesI’dthoughtabouthowtokillthemoff.Theproblemwastheyhadeyesand

earseverywhere.Therewasn’tacountryorgovernmentagencytheydidn’thavetheirclawsinto.I’deven
seenA-listactorsat10Clubparties.They’relikeagiantcancer.

“Wait.”MyeyeslockedwithhersasIswayedArchinmyarms.
“What?”
“Idon’tknow—Imean,itprobablywon’twork,butitmight.”
“What?”shesnapped,makingArchsquirmandwhimper.
Istartedbouncinghimgentlyinmyarms.“They’relikeanillness.Onebigorganism.”
“And?”shesaid.
“Macksaidweneednames,butwhatifwedon’t?Whatiftheonlythingweneedtowritewiththat

inkis‘10Club’?”

Sheblinkedatme.“Itcan’tbethateasy.”
Aloudthumponthefrontdoormadeusbothjump.Suddenly,thehouseexplodedwithloudnoises—

windowsbreaking,doorsfalling,menscreaming.

“They’rehere,Mia!Howdidtheygetin?”Teddishrieked.
“Idon’tknow.”ItookabreathasArchwailed.
“Where’stheink?”sheasked.
I jerked my head to the left. “In the safe.” She scrambled behind me as I made my way through my

bedroom to the walk-in closet. “Take him.” I handed off Arch, who screamed like a banshee. My
trembling hands punched in the code, and somewhere in the back of my mind I heard them coming. 10
Clubslaves,Talia,Hagne,Ididn’tknow.Buttheywerehereforus.

Howhadtheygottenin?

Thesafepoppedopenjustasgunshotsthunderedinsidethehouse.
Fuck.Fuck!IcouldonlyhopethebulletshadcomefromtheSpiros’ssideofthefight.
“Hurry,Mia.Hurry!”Teddisquealedasquietlyasapersonwhowasabouttodiecould.
Myshakinghandspulledthepaper,pen,andinkfromthesafe.“Goclosethebedroomdoorandlock

it,”Icommanded.Itwouldbuyustwoseconds,andI’dtakewhatIcouldget.

TeddididwhatIasked,andIgottomyknees,spreadingoutthepaper.Iuncorkedthetinybottleand

dippedthepen,knockingtheinkoverintheprocess.

“Shit.No,no,no.”IsaturatedthetipwithwhatIcouldandwenttowriting.
10Club.
IlookedupatTeddiandnodded.“It’sdone.”
Aloudpoundingonthedoorhaltedourbreathing.
“Wedon’thaveenoughtime.They’llgetinsidebeforeitworks.”TeddiclutchedArchtoherchest.
“Mia!Icanhearyouinthere,youfuckingcunt!”screamedHagne.“Getouthere!”
Jesus.Hagne.NowsheworkedforTaliaandtherewouldbenothingtoholdherbackfromhurtingme

intheworstwaypossible.

“Weneedmoretime,”Teddiwhispered,tryingtocalmArch.
IlookedatTeddiandmybabycradledinherarms.Ihadtodosomething.Butwhat?Theinkdrying

onthatpaperwasouronlyhope,butithadtakenKingtwentyminutesormoretodie.

Islidthepaperintomysafeandlockedit.Atleastitcouldn’tbedestroyed.
“Mia,hurry.Thinkofsomething.Doyouhaveagunor—oranything?”
“No.”Ihadn’twantedthemaroundthehouse.OnlytheSpiroswereallowedtocarryweapons.King’s

insistence.

Mymindspunfasterandfaster.
Thenthedoorjambsplinteredastheyrammedinside.
Time’sup.

“Who’sthelittlebitchnow,huh,Mia?”Hagnewatchedwithawidesmileinherhatefulblueeyesfrom
thecornerofmybedroomasagroupofarmedmendraggedusout.TherewerenowordswhenIhadto
stepoverYpirétria’sbodylyingfacedowninapoolofbloodinthehallway.They’dshotherintheback.

Icouldn’tbeartolook.I’mgoingtoloseit.Just…fuckingloseit.Ypirétriahadn’tbeenathreatto

anyone.Shewasanoldwomanwholovedchildrenandcooking.Motherfuckers.

Fearing for Arch’s, my, and Teddi’s lives, I had to keep my mouth shut and say nothing to provoke

Hagne.

Thementookusoutside,whereArnoandtwootherSpirosmenlaydeadinthedrivewaynexttoa

blackvan.Theydiedtryingtoprotectus,anditwrenchedmyheart.

Twenty minutes for the ink to work. That’s all we need. And this island, likely unbeknownst to 10

Club,wasfilledwithSpiros.Allloyaltome.Theywouldbecomingafterthem.

Onceinsidethevan,seatedonthefloorinthebackwithoneofthemenpointingagunatus,Ibegan

countinginmyheadastheminutespassed.ItwouldtakeustenorfifteenminutestogettoKing’shouse.
ThenIwouldneedtostallfortime.Ifitcamedowntoit,IwouldrunormakeasceneordoanythingI
couldtodragouttheminutesandallowArchandTedditolive.

IlookedatTeddi’spuffyeyes.ShestillheldascreamingArch,whowasnotatallhappy.
Fromthepassengerseat,Hagneturnedaround.“Shutthatlittlefuckerup,Mia.OrI’llhavethemputa

bulletinhishead.”

White-hotragedottedmyvision.Yes,Idoubtedshe’dkillArch—hewastoovaluable—butthethreat

wasenoughtosetmeoff.Still,Ihadtostaycalm.

Iclearedmythroat.“He’sKing’sson.He’snotafanoffollowinginstructions.”
Hagnecackled.“Yes.Well,I’msureitwillonlyaddtohisvaluewhenweauctionhimofftonight.”
“Youcan’tdothat,Hagne,”Igrowled.
“Ifyouhaven’tnoticed,IcandoanythingIlike.Kingisnolongerincharge,Mia.”
“Hemightcomeback.Andthenwhathappens?”Iasked.
Shelaughedtowardtheceilingofthevanandthelightsofapassingcarcaughtthehighlightsofher

goldenhair.Hairsomuchlikemine.Itfuckingchaffedmethathe’dchosenabodythatlookedlikemine.
Likesomeeviltwin.

“Kingisnotcomingback.Notthistime.Taliaisdelusional,”shescoffed.
“Don’tbesosure.He’sreturnedfromworse.”
Sheturnedandlookedatmeagain.“Really?Thenwhyhavehiswardsweakened?It’sbecausehe’s

gone.Gonegone.Whateverwasleftofthatsoulofhiscrossedover.”Sheturnedbackaroundandfaced
theroad.“Evilbastard.Goodriddance.”

Iwantedtotellhertoshutthehellup,thatallthiswasherfault.She’dbeentheonewhostartedthe

issueswithKingandtheSeerssomanythousandsofyearsago.Ithadbeenhergreedy,selfishblackheart.

Ihopeyourotinfuckinghell,Hagne.
WhenwepulleduptoKing’shistorichillsidehome,therewasinfactaverylargepartyinfullswing.

People in expensive evening wear—ball gowns, tuxedos, and expensive-looking jewelry—congregated
outside.Great.It’stheevilOscars.

ThemenescortedTeddiandmeinside.Westillworeourpajamasandlookedlikehellfromgrieving

allday.Thepeoplesmirkedandlaughedastheymadewaytoletusinside.

“Takethemoutback.I’llgogetTalia.”Hagnedisappearedintothegawkingcrowd.Somanyfaces

seemedfamiliar,butmymindstayedfocusedoncountingdowntheminutes.

“Fourteen,”IsaidtoTeddi,whowalkedslowly,herfacelackinganyemotion.
ShehandedmeArch.“Itwillwork.Ithasto.”
The men took us outside to a large terrace with tables, white linens, and candles. It looked like a

goddamned wedding. Only it was three in the morning and we were about to be sold off or tortured or
something.Notverywedding-likeentertainment.

The men walked us over to an elevated arbor and made us stand facing the guests, who now

congregatedaroundus.

“Mydearguests!CanIgeteveryone’sattention,please?”Taliastrolledoutsidewearingatightgreen

dress.Sheworeherbrownhairinatwistandhadonatonofmakeup.Shelookedlikeahooker.

Shestoodinfrontofthecrowdwithherbacktous.“Ladiesandgentlemen,tonight,asnewpresident

of 10 Club, it is my honor to present to you the two individuals responsible for the death of King, a
belovedmemberofouresteemedgroup.”

What a sham. They loved no one. They cared for no one. And he’d been way more than a simple

member.

IglancedatTeddinervously.Wehadtobecomingupontwentyminutes,buteveryonelookedfine.

Betterthanfine.

Taliacontinued,“Soinaccordancewiththerulesof10Club,King’spossessionsnowbelongtohis

wife.”

Thecrowdbooedandgavethethumbs-down.
Wherethehellisshegoingwiththis?

“Now, now,” Talia laughed, “but we all know that it does not end there. As his wife, Mia here is

responsibleforhisdebts.”Sheturnedtome.“So,Mia,areyoupreparedtosettleKing’sunpaiddebts?”

“Whatareyoutalkingabout?”
“Well,”shesmiled,“KinghastopayhisdueslikeanyoneelseandI’mafraidhismembershipcame

upforrenewallastweek.”

Thisisridiculous.
“Ohno,”shesaid,“fromthelookonyourface,I’mguessingyoudon’thaveabilliondollarshandy.”

Shemadeapoutyface.“Suchashamebecausethatmeansyouandyourpossessions,includingyourlittle
baby,arenowpropertyof10Club.”Sheturnedbacktothecrowd.“Lookslikewe’llbehavinganauction
tonight,people!”

Thecrowdapplauded.
Hagne’sface,towardthefrontofthecrowd,beamedwithjoy.“Ioffertwomillionforthebaby!”
“What?” I stepped back, only to feel the cold barrel of a gun pointed at my back. “No. You can’t

fuckinghavehim.”IlookedatTeddi.

“It’sbeentwentyminutes,Mia.Whyhasn’titworked?”shesaid.
“Idon’tknow!”
Talia raised her voice over the rumble of the excited guests. “We have two million! Do we have

three?IunderstandthechildhasSeerblood.”

“Fivemillion!”anothermanbarkedout.
No.No.Fuckno.Iwouldnotletthemauctionoffmysonlikeagoddamnedmysticalcow.Iwouldnot

letthishappen.

“Fivemilliongoingonce.Goingtwice.”
“Tenmillion!”Hagnebarkedout.Wherethehelldidshegetthatkindofmoney?ProbablyevilKing

gaveittoher.

“Ten.Wehaveten.Anyoneelse?”
Thecrowdremainedsilent.
“Sold!”TaliascreamedandpointedatHagne.
The man behind me came around and started trying to pry Arch from my arms. “Get the fuck away

fromme.”

ArchcriedhystericallyandTeddijumpedin,tryingtohelp.
Justthen,weheardascreamoffinthedistance.Thenanother.
I didn’t know if by some miracle the ink had worked or the Spiros had come to help us, but I took

Teddi’shand.“Run!”

Wedartedthroughtheworried-lookingcrowd,whopaidusnoattention.Wewerenothingtothemand

certainlynothreat.Butpeoplelikethesehadtonsofenemies,thoughmostwereeachother.

WepushedpastmorepartyguestsandmadeourwayintoKing’sstudy.Ilockedthedoorbehindus.
“Fuck,Mia!What’shappening?”Teddipanted.
Morescreamsechoedthroughthehomeandoutsidetowardthefront.“ItcouldbetheSpirosortheink

or…someoneattackingtheguests.Idon’tknow.”

Wesuddenlyheardagruntandthudagainstthewall,liketwopeoplefightingjustoutsidethedoor.
“Getthefuckoffme!”weheardHagneroar.
“Wherearethey?”amangrumbled.
“Dead.Likeyou,”Hagnebarked.
Acrunchingsound,followedbyalowgurgle,mademyskincrawl.Whoeverhe’dbeen,Hagnehad

justtakenhimout.Atleast,thatwasmybestguess.

“IsittheSpiros?Ithastobe,right?”Teddiwhisperedfrantically.
“I’mnotsure,butyes.Yes,it’sprobablythem.”Still,itdidn’tsoundliketheywerewinning.“AndI

don’tthinktheinkworked.”Hagnewouldbedeadbynow.

“Theywon,Mia.Theywon.”Teddiplacedherhandsoverherstomachprotectively.“Peoplelikeus

can’tstopthem.We’retooweak.”

“We’llfindanotherway.”Becausegivingupwasn’tanoption.
Isquinted,myeyestearinglikehellandmybodyshakinglikeanadrenaline-pumpedleaf.Wehadto

getsomewheresafe.Safeandawayfrom10Club.Somewheretheycouldn’tfindus.Becausetheywould
neverstophuntingus.We’dneverbesafeaslongastheywerealive.

“Mia!”Teddibarked.
Iopenedmyeyes.Teddistaredatmystomach.Iglanceddownandsawalight.Instinctually,Ireached

outandgrabbedTeddi’shand.

“Mia?Mia?Wakeup,Mia.Wherethefuckarewe?”Teddi’ssweetvoiceechoedinthebackofmymind,
butfeltunreachable.

I cracked open my lids to find her green eyes hovering over me. The sound of crashing waves and

men’svoicesyellingoffinthedistancesievedintomyears.

“Mia?”Sheslappedmycheekhard.
“Ow.”Igroaned,puttingmyhandoverthestingingskin.“Teddi?”
“Mia.”Hernostrilsflared.“Pleasetellmeyouknowwhatthehellisgoingon.”
Slowly,Isatup,feelingthegrittysandstickingtomyarms.IhadArchclutchedtomychest,wailing.I

lookedaroundatthepristinewhitesand,thehotsunabove,andtheshirtlessmenwithswordsdrawnand
chargingtowardus.

Iletoutsomethingthatwasbetweenasighofreliefandnervoussobs.
“Mia?”Teddishrieked.
“It’sokay,Teddi.Juststaycalm.We’llbeokay.”
ShestaredatmelikeI’dlostmyfuckingmarblesasthemencameuponus.
IkissedthetopofArch’sheadandclosedmyeyes.“We’resafenow,”Iwhispered.“Ipromise.We’re

safe.”

CHAPTERFIFTEEN

Themen,who’dneverseenawomanwithblondehair,pajamabottoms,T-shirts,orArch’sdiapersand
onesie,ledustowardthetemplesI’dseenonlyafewtimesbutdreamtofonahundredoccasions.They
wererectangularwithhighceilingsandstonepillars,paintedinelaborateblueandredmuralsdepicting
peoplefishingorofferinggrainsandfruittothegods.

“Juststaycalm,”IassuredTeddi,whosesheet-whitefacewascoveredinsweat.Herbrownhairhad

sandstucktoit,andherclotheswerewetwithsaltwaterononeside.Shemust’ve“landed”inthewater.
IwassureIdidn’tlooksohoteitherinmypinkPJs.

“What’shappening?”shehissed.
“Ithinkitwasthebaby.”Ipressedmyhandtomystomach.“Shehelpedus.”Orsomethinglikethat.I

didn’treallyknowmuchotherthanshewaspowerfulandherbloodranthroughmine.

“Moveit.”Amanwithaswordpushedmeupthestonestepsofthetemple,throughthemaindoorway,

andplacedusbehindacrowdofpeopledressedineverythingfromragstoneatlypleatedgownsorskirts
forthemen.

“Mia,”Teddiwhispered,staringatthestunning,shirtlessfigurewithlongblackhairandashortdark

beardseatedonalowplatformaheadofus,“pleasetellmewe’redreaming.”

“We’renot.”
Beingtallerthanthepeopleinfrontofus,ourvoicescaughthisattentionimmediately.
Blue,blueeyeslockedontomyface.
“DearGod.That’sKing,isn’tit?”Teddimumbled.
Inodded,soakinghimin.King.Alive.Myheartacceleratedtohummingbirdspeed.“Juststaycalm.”
“Forfuck’ssake,Mia,whathaveyoudone?”
IturnedtoTeddi,tryingtocalmpoorlittleArch,whonowroaredandhiccupped,snotandtearsflying

everywhere.“Mackishere,too,Teddi.Theybothare.”

Shecoveredhermouthandthendroppedtoherhandsandkneesandthrewup.Fromthecornerofmy

eye, I saw King storming toward us, pushing the crowd to the sides. I watched with bated breath as he
stoppedjustafewfeetaway.IneverthoughtI’dseehimagain,andittookeverythingIhadnottothrow
myarmsaroundhimandweep.OrdroptomykneesandbarfinhystericslikeTeddi.

“Whoareyou?Andwhatinthegods’namesareyoudoingonourisland?”
I took a deep breath and stared up at him. Oh, hell. I threw my arm around him, sandwiching Arch

betweenus.Hesmelledsogood—sweetandcitrusymixedwithexoticherbs.“Imissedyousomuch.”

Kingpushedusawayandstaredintomyeyeswithconfusion.Hethenlookedatthescreamingbabyin

myarmsandatmeagain.“Whoareyou?”

IcomposedmyselfasbestasIcould.“MynameisMia,andthisisArchon.”Iplacedmyhandonmy

stomach.“AndsheisAriadna.We’vecomealong,longwaytoseeyouagain.”

Hescratchedthebackofhishead,frowningatmyfacelikeheknewusbutwasn’tsurefromwhere.
“Get that one off the floor,” he commanded me, and then addressed the guard standing behind us.

“Takethemtomyprivatechamber.Don’tletthemgoanywhereorspeaktoanyone.”

I tried to help a hysterical Teddi from the stone floor while keeping a firm grip on Arch. It wasn’t

easy.She’dreachedherbreakingpoint.Iwasprettydarnclosemyself.

“WeneedMacktocome,too,”Isaid.

Kinggavemealook.
“ImeantCallias.Wehavetoseehim.Askhimtocome,too.”
“WhywouldIdothat,woman?”
“Becauseyou’reboththereasonwe’rehere,andwecan’tfuckitupthistime.”

Theshirtlessguardswithbraideddarkhair,wearingpleatedblueskirts,escortedustoaten-by-tenroom
thatIknewwasn’tKing’sprivatechamber.Inourmodernterms,itwasmorelikehisoffice,withasmall
table,afewwoodenstools,andafewrolled-upanimalhidessittingonstoneshelves.Nodoor.Ididn’t
thinkthey’dbeeninventedhereyet,thoughtheydiduseclothduringthecolderdays,accordingtoKing.
Offinthedistance,beyondthecourtyard,seagullscircledaboveandthesoundofwavesroared.Thisspot
wasn’tveryfarfromthelocationofourmodern-daypalace.

Beforetheguardsexitedtheroom,Iaskedtheirnames.Spiros.Bothofthem.
ThankGod.“Canyoupleasebringusboiledwater,someboiledgoatmilk,andoneofthoseleather

bagsyouusetocarrywater?”

ThetwomenstaredlikeI’dlostmyever-lovingmarbles,butweretheycompelledtohelpme?
“Iinsist,”Isaid.
Thetallermanjerkedhishead,indicatingtheotheroneshoulddoasIasked.“I’llstayhere.”
“Thank you.” It seemed that whatever spell or magic King had used to make the Spiros bloodline

loyal to me had remained intact. Or maybe they were simply being nice. Either way, we were grateful.
EspeciallyArch.Ihadn’tbeenbreast-feedinghimregularlysinceKingdied—hadn’thadthestrength—so
IgavehimwhatIhadandthenusedtheleatherpouchtofeedhimthewarmgoatmilk.Itwenteverywhere,
butenoughgotinsidehisbellytoputhimtosleep.

“That’snotgoingtocutit,Mia.”
“Iknow.I’llhavetofigureoutsomethingbetterlater.”Afterall,Iwasn’ttheonlywomanwithababy

inthesetimes.Theyhadtodosomethingfordiapers,cribs,andbabyfood.

“Thiscan’tbehappening,”Teddisaid,pacingtheshortdistanceoftheroom,alternatingbetweentears

andmildhysterics.

“Idon’tgetit.You’reathree-thousand-year-oldSeer.YoulivedinthetimesoftheMayansanddied

andcamebacktolifeanddiedagain.Whyisthissohardforyoutoaccept?”

Shesnappedherheadinmydirection.“Idon’tremembermypastlives.Andforfuck’ssake!Inever

movedbackwardsintime,Mia.Wecan’tbehere.It’simpossible.AndthenwhathappensifMack’slife
turnsoutdifferentlyandourpathsdon’tcrossagain?Whathappenstomybaby?Whataboutyou,Mia?
WhathappenstoArchandyourbabyifyouchangeeverything?”

“Idon’tknow,Teddi.Butwhatdidyouwantmetodo?LetHagnebreakintotheroomandslitour

throats?Ididn’thaveachoice.Theinkdidn’twork.Sonowwe’rehere.Nowweliveanotherdayand
wefigureitthefuckout.”Personally,asscaredasIfelt,knowingKingwashere—aliveandgood—gave
measortofpeaceIhadn’tknownsincethisallstarted.I’dcompletelygivenupallhope.Buthe’salive.

Sheclenchedhereyesshut.“Okay.Okay.You’reright.”
Aslenderyoungwomanwithdarkskinandlongblackhairappearedinthedoorway.“Thekingwill

seeyounow.”

TeddiandIexchangednervousglances.
“Idon’tknowwhatI’lldowhenIseeMack,”Teddisaid.
Iunderstood.Ireallydid.Thesewerethemenweloved,butwewerestrangerstothem.
IgentlyrepositionedArchonmychest.“Justtakeitslow.Givethemtimetodigestitall.”

“Whatiftheythinkwe’rejusttwocrazywomenfromanothercountryortribeorwhatever?”
“They’renotlikethatinthesetimes.Theybelieveintheimpossible.”
We followed the woman outside, where two shirtless guards in blue skirts showed us through a

courtyardwithpottedflowers.Theyledusintoalargebanquetroomwitharcheddoorwaysandmuralsof
fruittreescoveringthewalls.Sixwomenwithdarkfeaturesandlonghairsataroundthetablelitwithoil
bowlsinthemiddle.Onemorewomanwithsilverhair,wholookedtobeveryold,satattheendofthe
table.

They’reSeers.Iknewbecausetheentireroombuzzedwithenergy.
King,whostoodatthemiddleofthelongstonetable,gesturedforustositacrossfromhim.
I remained calm and clearheaded. I couldn’t fuck this up. I had to make sure I took control of the

situationandmadeourfatesdifferent.ThatwasnotwhathappenedlasttimewhenI’dmanagedtorepeat
historyandchangenothing—Kinggettingcursed,Justindying,the10Clubbeingcreated.

“You.”Kingpointedtome.“Yourclothingandmannerofspeechtellmeyouarenotfromanywhere

wearefamiliarwith.Sotelluswhosentyou.”

Allrighty.Ilookedaroundthetable,huggingmysleepingbaby.“MynameisMiaandthisisnotthe

firsttimeI’vebeenhere.”

Ittookalmostanhourtotellthewatered-downstoryofhowImetKing—aghostofanancientcursed

kinglookingforsalvation—ofhowtormentedandevilhewas,andhowI’dcometothisperiodintimeto
escapehiscrueltybutalsolookingforhim—therealhim,wantingtoundowhateverhorriblethingshad
beendonetohim.ItoldthemhowKinghadajournalthattoldthestoryofHagne,Mack,andhimself.Of
how Hagne wanted King dead because she loved Mack. She then used her powers to seduce him and
convincehimtochallengeKingforpower.ThenIcamehereandthoughtIwouldchangeourfutures.

“Itdidn’twork,”Isaid.“Ichangednothing.”
Kingchuckled.“Youtrulythinkanyofusbelieveyourwildtale?”
Ilookeddownatmybarefeet.“Idonot.”
“Mia,”TeddiaskedinEnglish,whichtheycouldnotunderstand,“whatishesaying?Itdoesn’tsound

good—”

“Leaveus.”Thesilver-hairedwomanatthefarthestendofthetablenoddedtotheguards,whocame

forwardtotakeusbacktotheroom.

“Ineedaplacetoliedown,”Isaid.
“Youcangoliewiththeslaves.Thatisgenerosityenoughforsomeonelikeyou,”Kinggrowled.
Ishothimalook.Theydidnottreattheirslavesexceptionallyhorrible,buttheydidn’ttreatthemlike

regularpeopleeither.

“I’m not subjecting our child to those conditions.” Conditions I would love to change if ever in a

positiontodoso.

“Takethemtoyourguestchamber,”saidtheoldwoman.
Thatwastheroomnexttohis,overlookinghisfavoritebeach.Tothesideofthatwasanorchardand

flowergarden.Itwastheexactspotwhereourhousestoodtoday.

“Thisdirty,vilelittlegipsywomanwithhermuttwillnotstaythere.Iamthekingandnoonetellsme

—”

“Iamyourwife.”Iscowled.
Heleanedintothetablewithfistsplanted.“Youareacrazywitchwhowillbeexecutedifshespeaks

outofturnagain.”

Teddipulledmeback.“Mia,getaholdofyourself.”
She didn’t understand anything we were saying, but she knew how emotionally tapped I felt. We’d

bothbeenthroughhell.

“Yes,you’reright,”Isaidtoher.“I’mjusttired.”
“Iknow.SoamI.Weneedtorest.”
IlookedatKing.“Wedon’twanttomakeanytrouble.We’llstaywhereveryoulike.”
“There’s a nice fishing boat with holes on the other side of the island.” King flashed a cruel little

smile.

Wow.Hewasreallybeingadick.Andhedefinitelydidn’tseemtowantanythingtodowithme.
Ibowedmyheadbegrudgingly.“Whereverthekingseesfittoputus.”
“Whatdidhesay?”Teddiasked.
“Wereallyneedtogetyouoneofthese.”Iliftedmysleeveandshowedhermytattoo.Itwastheone

Hagnehadgiven meduringmy lastvisit.I hatedher.I hatedthat she’dmadea markonmy body,butI
couldn’tdenythepowerwasamazing.

“Whatisthat?”askedoneofthewomenwhosatclosesttooursideofthetable.
Thesilver-hairedwomanattheendpoppedupfromthetablewithasprynessthatdidn’tseemtofit

herage.“Howdidyougetthat?”

“HagnegaveittomethelasttimeIwashere,”Ireplied.
“ButIhavenotyettaughtherthisspell.”
Ishrugged.“Butobviouslyyouwill.Shemadeitwithaquill,somespit,andsomethingshechewed

upfromalittlepouch.”

Thewoman’seyeswentwide.“Youmaygonow.Wehavemuchtodiscuss.”
I felt King’s hateful gaze on me as Teddi and I followed the two shirtless men out of the inner

compound to a shabbier-looking cluster of buildings—no decorative paint on the walls, no potted fruit
trees.

Slaves’quarters.
TeddiandIwereputinadoorlessroomwithonestoneplatformcoveredwithhayforabedanda

clayjaronthefloor.

Nice.It’sourtoilet.
“Well,Iguessit’sbetterthanasinkingboat,”Isaid.
“Orahousefilledwith10Clubmembers,”Teddiadded.
Yes,atleasttherewasthat.

CHAPTERSIXTEEN

Teddiand I werenot awake long,nor did we comeclose to gettingenough sleep. Approximately three
hoursafterbeingthrowninthisroom,justaftersunset,anotheryoungwomancameandbroughtuswarm
water and rags for bathing, beige linen tunics, and some long rectangular strips of cloth for Arch. I
cleanedupArchandfoldedtheclothintoadiaper.Ituckedtheendsintohisfrontsincewewereinthe
daysbeforetheinventionofthesafetypin.Orbabybottles,formula,anddisposablediapers.Howdid
motherssurvive?Atleastfornow,wewereallcleananddry.

Immediately following, two other young women in long gray tunics showed up to do our hair. That

waswhenIknewsomethingwasgoingdown.

Ceremony was everything to these people—full moons, crop plantings, harvests, and honoring the

godsontheirspecialdays.However,fortheirtime,theMinoanswereveryadvanced.Theyhadbeautiful
potteryandmetalworks,whichtheytradedwithforeignersasfarawayasChina.Theyevenhadbathtubs
andindoorplumbing.Forthenon-slaves,ofcourse.God,whatIwouldn’tgiveforabathrightnow.

Teddi’s face turned red as the two young women tugged painfully at her brown hair, attempting to

makeelaboratetwistsandpinthemontopwithlittlemetalclipsadornedwithtinyseashells.Webothhad
shoulder-lengthbobs,sowelookedlikemopswithlotsofloosebitsfallingallaround.

“It’sokay,”Itoldthegirl.“Justleaveit.”
She didn’t seem to like that idea because she’d been given an order by someone to make us look

presentable.“Youcan’tmakeacakewithoutflour,”Itoldher.“Noonewillblameyou.”

Thetwoladiesfinishedusbyputtingadaboffragrantoilunderourarmsandthentoldustofollow.

This time two guards, wearing blue and red skirts and feathered headbands, escorted us along. These
weretheking’sspecialceremonialguards.

Theyledustothelargesttempleonthecompound.IknewthiswaswhereKingmetwithhiscouncil

—thehigherrankingfamiliesandSeersontheisland.

We entered and the same women from earlier stood to one side of the towering room along with a

hordeofnewfaces.Allwomen.AllSeers.Totheothersideofthesmoky,torchlitroom,mendressedin
neatly pleated skirts stood. King sat on his throne at the farthest end, wearing a bitter scowl on his
handsomeface.Themomenthesawme,itturnedintoapureloathinggrowl.

Myheartsank.Whydidhehatemesomuch?Itwasn’tlikethisbefore.
“Thisdoesn’tlookgood,”Teddiwhispered.
“Iknow.Juststaycalm.”
A young servant girl asked to take Arch, who still slept, but I refused. Like hell I’d be letting a

strangertouchmybaby.

TheeldestSeer,theonewho’dbeenspeakingearlier,steppedforwardandbeganaddressingKing.
“Duetotheconcerningnatureofthematterbroughttousbyourguests,theSeersgatheredearlier.We

admit this is a situation we have never come across, but we have consulted with our ancestors and
reachedanagreementastothebestcourseofaction.”

King nodded with his bulky biceps crossed over his smooth, muscular chest. I tried not to look or

thinkabouthowbeautifulhelooked,sittingtherehalf-naked,displayinghisrippedtorso,adeepredcloth
wrappedaroundhiswaist.

The Seer continued, “We believe that the gods are acting through these two strangers, who tell the

truth.Webelievethattheonewiththegoldenhaircarriesachildthatisyoursandthattheinfantisyours
as well. The dark-haired one carries another Seer—a girl who is also very powerful and therefore not
likely offspring to Callias. As we all know, the king has been blessed by the gods with extraordinary
strength.”

Uh-oh.Whataretheytalkingabout?Mymindsortoftwirledaround,scoopingupfacts.Teddihad

conceivedherafterKingbroughtMackbacktolife.AndifMacklivedinsideKing’sbody,then…well…
biologically,theywereright.Herbabywasn’tMack’s.ItwasKing’s.Iftheywereidenticaltwins,would
itreallymatter?OtherthantheythinkKingisstronger.IsupposeIcouldn’targue.Inanycase,thatmade
Teddi’sbabyabiggertargetifweweretoreturnhome.

“Whataretheysaying,Mia?”Teddiasked.
IglancedatTeddi.Shedidnotneedtohearthatshewasn’treallycarryingMack’sbaby.Besides,she

wassmart.She’dprobablyfigureitoutforherselfoneday.

“Umm…theybelieveus.Sortof.Buttheyhaven’tgottentotheirpointyet,”Isaidwithasteadyvoice,

wantinghertostaycalm.

Theelderwomanraisedherchin.“Itisouropinionthattimeisoftheessence,andwearenottoolate

toappeasethegodsandchangeourfates.Thekingandhisbrotheraretowedthesetwowomen.”

“What?”Kingspat.“Youaremad.Iwillnotwed,andIwillcertainlynotwedthisoutsider.”
Thesilver-hairedwomannarrowedherdarkeyes.Icouldtellfromherbodylanguageandagethatshe

didn’ttakelipfromanymanbutdidherbesttoremainrespectfultoherking.

Sheclearedherthroat.“Thegodsclearlyintendedforyoutobeunitedwiththiswomanonewayor

another.Otherwise,theywouldnothavegivenherthisgiftofmovingthroughtime.Andevenaftershelost
hergift,theymadeitsoherchildwouldhaveit.Fatehasspoken,myking,andyoushouldlisten.”

Kinggrowled,andfromtheslightflareinhisnostrilsandtheredonhissculptedcheekbones,Iknew

hewasabouttoletloose.

Shecontinued,“Thereareseveralothermatterswemustdiscuss,myking.Ourancestorsmadeitclear

that our fates, as the golden-haired one has told, are destined to repeat unless we create a new path
forward. The challenge is that we are limited by this moment. Fate will not allow contradictions. We
cannotcreateafuturethatmakesthismomentimpossible.”

“Canyousaythatinnon-Seerspeak?”Isaid.
She turned to me with a respectful nod. “The key events that brought you here to us in this moment

mustremainintact.”

Mytiredheadtwirledinamerry-go-round-typefashion.“Sothatmeanswecan’tchangeanything?”
“No.Itmeanswemustattempttomakethismomentcomeaboutanotherway.”
Weallwaitedforhertoelaborate.
“Youmuststillmeetourkinginthetimeyouareborn.Youmuststillhaveareasontocomehere.You

mustclosetheloop.”

“Whatisshesaying?”Teddiasked.
Ilookedather,notevenknowingwheretobegin.“She’ssayingwehavealottofigureout.”
“AsforthematterofHagne,”thewomanwenton,“webelievesheshouldbesentencedtodeath.She

hasrepeatedlyviolatedourlawsandwefearwecannotsaveherblackheartfromruiningusall.”

“No,” King barked out. “We will not allow this. We do not execute women and certainly not the

womanwhowasbetrothedtomefrombirth.”

I hated to say it, but… “Killing her only makes conflict between the Seers and the regular people.

Maybeyoucansendherawayorsomething.Betteryet,tradeherwithoneofthosenicefishermenfrom
themainland.”

“No.Shemustdie,”thewomansaid.“Ourancestorssaythatsheisthereasonourpeoplevanishand

thatthis10ClubMiaspeaksofwillneverexistifwesurvive.”

Shecouldberight.HavingmoreSeersintheworldmighthavepreventedallthat,butwhoknew?
ThewomanapproachedKing,andhetookasmallstepback.
Hefearsher?
Couldn’tblamehim,really.Seerswerealittlescary.Especiallytheseones.Theenergyaroundthem

hadtheentireroombuzzingandthehaironmyarmsstandingstraightup.

“But,myKing,asisourtradition,Hagne’sparentswillnotmournforlong.Theywillbecompensated

fortheirlossandgivenanotherdaughter.”SheturnedandlookedatmeandTeddi.

Uh-oh.Oneofushadtovolunteer?
“CanIask,”Isaid,“atwhatpointcanwegoback?Wehavefamilyandfriendsand—”
“Forthemoment,”shereplied,“youcannotgoanywhere.Notunlessyouwishforalloftheeventsto

remainintactastheywere.”

Sowehadtostayhere?Kingwouldnotbehappyanditdefinitelypainedmetobearoundhim.AllI

sawwasamanIloved.Hesawmeasvermin.

Hecaughtmestaringandsnarled.
Yep, it’s official. Our relationship had gone through the full spectrum. Hate. Love. Grief. Mistrust.

Pain.Joy.We’dhaditall.Andadd…indifference.Thisoughttobeinteresting.

Butifthiswasthesacrificerequired,theoneIsaidIalwaysknewI’dmakeforthepeopleIloved,

thenIhadtodoit.10Clubcouldn’tbedefeated,soithadtobekilledbeforeitwaseverborn.Still,it
painedmetothinkofneverseeingmyparentsorfriendsagain.

“Sooncewestayhereandfigureallthisout,10Clubwilldie.”Iwantedherconfirmation,andshe

nodded.ItwasallIneeded.

IwonderedwhatelsewouldchangeifImanagedamiracleandstopped10Clubfromforming.Did

thatmeanJustin,mybrother,wouldlive,too?Becauseno10ClubmeantJustin’spathwouldnevercross
withanyofthem.Iwantedtobelieveyes.

Kingrosetoaddresstheroom.“Thisisallwonderfulplanning,butIamking,andIdonotagreeto

this…”hewavedhishandthroughtheair,“thisinsanity.Therewillbenoexecutions,noforeignerstaking
upresidencehereonourislandandabsolutely,”heshotmealook,“nomarriages.”

“But,sir,”thesilver-hairedwomanargued,“youdonotunderstand.Wehavespokentoourancestors,

theSeerswhohavepassed,and—”

“HowamItoknowwhattheyhavetoldyouoriftheyarereal?Iknowtwothings—myhomeandmy

people.Thegodsdecidetherestandtheyhavenotspokentome.Getthesetwooffmyisland.”Heturned
tous,hisgazesizzlingwithanger.“Anddonotreturn.Notifyouvalueyourlives.”

IglancedatTeddi,feelingtootiredtogiveheranywordsofhope.“It’sano-go.He’skickingusout.”
“What!Well…fuck him!” She rushed at King, screaming, “Fuck you! Do you have any fucking idea

whatI’vebeenthrough?Doyou!”

“Teddi,don’t!”Ichargedafterher.“You’renothelpingthesituation.”
“Silence!”Kingraisedhishandtoslapher,andIsteppedin.
“Don’tyoudare,”Igrowled.“Orsohelpme,Iwillremoveyourarm.”
“Youdarespeaktomelikethat?”
“Youthink,”Isteppedcloser,huggingArchandtiltinghimawayfromKing,“thatI’mafraidofyou?

You?”Ilaughed.“Buddy,youdon’thaveacluewhatI’vebeenthrough—thankstoyou,Imightadd.I’ve
diedandcomebacktolife.I’vewatchedthemanIlove—you!—livethroughhellandgomad.I’vehad
myheartbrokenbyyouamilliondifferentways,includingyoucheatingonmewithsomecrazywhorejust

so you could save Mack—I mean, Callias—for the fifteenth time. I watched my brother murdered. I
watched myself turn into a murderer. I have been broken down and put back together so many fucking
times that there’s no part of my body or soul that’s an original part!” I poked his chest. “So go ahead,
King.Raiseyourhandtome.Callmealiar.TellmeyouhatemeorthinkI’mcrazy.ButIwillnever,”I
spat, “never fucking cower from you or anyone. Not again. Not ever.” I took a breath, realizing I was
doingnogood.Iwasoutofcontrol.“Youknowwhat?”Isteppedback.“Goahead.MarryHagne.Watch
everythingyoulovedie.Endupcursedforthreethousandyears.Bemyfuckingguest.”IlookedatTeddi.
“Let’sgohome.”

“Wecan’t,Mia.They’llbetherewaitingforus.”Sheplacedherhandonherstomach.
Ilookeddownatmyfeet.Wearenothelpless.Wedon’thavetoacceptthis.
Iturnedtotheoldwoman.“Howlongwillittaketotrainher?”IglancedatTeddi.
Sheblinked.“Years.Ittakesyears,sometimesdecadestoshowaSeersuchasthisthefullrangeof

herpowers.”

“WejustneedherreadytofightHagneandtheotherassholeswhoaregoingtotrytokilluswhenwe

goback.”

“Icanteachherwhatsheneedstoknowintwoweeks.”
Inodded.“Good.Andwhatwillittaketogetmypowersback?”
She looked shocked. “I do not know. We will need to consult with the ancestors who struck the

bargainwithyou.”

“Okay.LetthemknowIgaveupmypowerstobewithKing.”Ilookedhimupanddown.“ButIdon’t

needhimanymore.Ijustneedtofight10Club.”

Kingglaredatmewithpurified,concentratedhate.
“Don’tgivemethatlook,DracoMinos.Youarenotmyking.Youdonotgettolookatmelikethat.”
IwalkedfromtheroomwithTeddionmytail.
“Mia,whatjusthappened?”
“We’reonourown.That’swhathappened.”

CHAPTERSEVENTEEN

King did not follow through with his threat to kick us off the island like some Survivor, Time Warp
Editionrejects.However,hedidnotcomeandseeusorliftafingertohelp.Archbeganadietofboiled
barleyandgoatmilk.IalsogavehimthelittlebreastmilkIcarriedandboiledwaterwithmashedgrapes
thatIfilteredwithlinen.IdideverythingIcouldtokeephimfed,clean,andsafe.Meanwhile,Teddiand
I, both pregnant and feeling sicker than hell, ate bread, lentils, boiled water and grape juice, too. Our
bodieswerenotusedtowhatevermicrobestheyhadinthistimeandwebothneededtotrain,notsitona
toilet.Orsquatoverapit.Whichever.

Teddi stayed with the elderly Seer woman, who we learned was named Ptolema, which meant

“warlike.”Love it. Exactly what we need. A Seer who could fight. Everyone called her Lema or Aunt
Lema,however.Shewasthematriarchoftheisland.Anyway,LemadecidedtohaveTeddifocusonvery
specific gifts such as learning how to channel her powers to misdirect, make others feel fear for no
apparentreason,andtoseeafacethatwasn’thers.NoteasyforTeddi,whowasthekindofSeerborn
with the extraordinary gift of healing. Funnily enough, her profession, prior to learning about her very
uniquepast,wasapsychologist.ThefirsttimeI’dmetherwasataclinicinSantaBarbara,whereshe’d
beentryingtotreatasuicidalmanwhosufferedfrom“delusions”ofbeingcursedandthetwinbrotherof
theancientkingofMinoa.Jokewasonher.

Anyway,Lemaknewwhatthefuture-Hagnewascapableofbecauseshe’dbeentrainingherforyears.

ThisallowedTedditofocusonskillsthatwouldgiveusahigherprobabilityofgettingoutofthat10Club
partyalive.

Asforme,Ihadnopowers,soIcouldonlyhelpinotherways.Handtohand.Orin1400BC,that

meantswordfighting.

“SoIdolikethis?”Iasked,lungingwithalongdaggertowardtheolivetreetrunkwhiletheguard—

yes,aSpiroswhoseemedinexplicablydevotedtome—tirelesslytriedtoteachmethemoves.

“Yes. Plant your left foot firmly into the earth and lunge with your right hand. When your opponent

shifts to your left, you keep your footing. Like this.” He showed me the dance, pretending to stab the
bundleofreedswrappedaroundthetree.Fromthescarsonthebark,Iguessedthiswastheirstate-of-the-
artmortalcombattrainingcenter.

“Heregoes.”Iclumsilyfollowedhismoves.
“No,no.Yourweightisonthewrongfoot.”Heproceededtocorrectmebyjerkingmyshouldersfrom

behind.Everystrokeandmovewasacounterofsortstokeepthetipoftheopponent’sbladeaway.You
waiteduntiltheotherpersonmadeawrongdancemove,givingyouacleanshotatavitalorgan.

Thisisincrediblystupid.10Clubmembersdon’tduelwithswords.AllIreallyneededwastogetmy

handsonagunwhileTedditookcareofHagne.Thenwe’drunlikehellandhopetofindsomeotherway
toend10Club.Kinghadtohavesomethingelseinthatwarehouseofhis.Wesimplyneededtogetinside
andnotdie.

“Youarenotholdingyourswordcorrectly,”saidKingfromawidestonebenchontheothersideof

the enclosed courtyard, where Arch slept in a basket, wrapped in a blanket. How long had King been
sittingthere?

Ilookedaway,ignoringhowcasuallyhesatnexttohisinfantson,treatinghimlikeastranger.How

couldKingnotknowhisownfleshandblood?

Iignoredhimandwentbacktowhackingthebundleofreedstiedtothetree.
“Leaveus,”Kingsaidtohisguardbeforestandingandstruttingoverlikeagiantpeacockflashinghis

giantfeathers.Only,Kinghadhisimpressivemuscularbuild,six-threeheight,andstunningblueeyesin
lieuoffeathers.

Hefrownedatmewiththosefeathers.“Ihaveneverseensuchapoorstudent.”Heturnedandlooked

attheguard,whosefeetseemedstucktothedirt.“Whyareyoustillhere?”

“No.Stay,”Isaidtotheguard.“Thekinghasbetterthingstodowithhistime.”
“Thekinggaveyouanorder.Nowleave.”Kingputhishandonthehiltofhisswordathisside.
Themangavemeaconflictedlook.
“Donotlookather,”saidKing.“Youanswertome.”
“Uh…actually,no,”Icutin.“YoumadealloftheSpirosloyaltome.Youusedsomesortofspell.”
Kingfrowned.“Youlie.”
“DoI?”Ilookedattheguard.“Punchhim.Punchyourking.”
Themanraisedhisfist,andKingcaughtit.
ThelookonKing’sface—tomatored,withadeathstareinhisblueeyes—waspriceless.
“Okay.Thankyou,”Isaid,takingpityonthepoorman,“youcango.”
Hedippedhisheadandscurriedoff.
“Nicetrick,youwitch,”Kinggrowled.
Iknewthat“witch”wasnottherealwordheused,butthatwashowthetattooonmywristtranslated

it. What King likely meant was that I wasn’t a good Seer. He believed I used my abilities for personal
gain—greedandpower.Evil.

“Whatever,” I said. “I’m done trying to win you over.” I turned and went back to my practice,

imagining Hagne coming at me in the room where Teddi and I had been hiding out. In my head it all
seemed so simple: Take out Hagne. Run outside and keep running until we found a way to kill them.
However,realitywasfardifferent.Amillionthingscouldgowrong.

“Soyoutrulymeantogobacktothisplaceyoucamefrom,”Kingsaid.
“Yes,”Ipanted.
“Fightingwithachildstrappedtoyourback,”hesaid,hisvoicefullofjudgment.
“Andoneintheoven,”Isnapped.“Notlikeyouleftmewithawholehellofalotofchoices.”
“Youcouldstayhere.”
“Here?”Ididn’tlookathim.
“Notonthisisland,ofcourse.Imeantyoucouldstayinthistime,thoughIdonotbelieveyouaretruly

fromanotherera.Thisisimpossible.”

I huffed. “Stay here? Running around on the mainland in a time where unmarried women without

familyaremadeintoslavesorrapedandmurdered?No,thankyou.I’lltakemychances.”

IsteppedforwardandpokedalittlespotinthereedsthatIimaginedwasHagne’sheart.
“Woman,youdonotstandachanceagainstaturnip.Youholdtheswordasifitwereawetfishyou

donotwishtotouch.”

Theyhadturnipsinthistime?Ihadtogetmesome.Mypregnancycravingswerereallykickinginand

Iabsolutelylovedthosedimsumturnippatties.

Mymouthbegantosalivate.“Idon’tneedtowinaswordfight.Ijustneedtorunfromabloodbath.If

I’mlucky,I’llgetaholdofagun.”

“Whatisagun?”
“It’s a weapon. You hold it, and it shoots pieces of metal at very fast speeds. You know what?” I

turned to face him, dropping the heavy long dagger to my side. “Why are you even here other than to

distractme?”Beingnearhim,seeinghimlikethis—alive,breathing,shirtlessanduntaintedbyeverything
thatwastocome—wasn’teasy.BecausethismanwaswhoIfellinlovewith.Helovedhispeople.He
workedhardtoprotectthem.Hewasagood,goodmanwithastrongbutbigheart.And,ofcourse,there
was that body covered only by a piece of red cloth around his waist, showing off his deep olive skin,
bulging biceps, and chiseled pecs and abs. Whatever workout routine he had, the man looked powerful
and sexier than sin. And those eyes… Breathtaking. Intense, acutely aware, and deep blue mixed with
hintsofturquoisegreenlikethebeautifuloceanaroundtheisland.Hislongblackhair,whichfellloose
aroundhisshoulders,onlymadehiseyeslookbluer.

Hemadeagrumbledeepinhischest.“Turnaround.”
“Why?”
“Mustyoualwaysbesocombative?Justturn,woman.”
Iglaredathim,butbegrudginglydidasheasked.
“Good, now stand like this and hold the sword like that.” Pressing his warm hard body against my

back,hekickedmylegsapartandgrabbedmyhands,pushingtheswordinmyrighthandoutinfrontof
me.Theheatofhimonmyback,thefeelofhiscockagainstmyass,instantlymademybloodflowfaster.
My body remembered him like it remembered the need to breathe. King had been the type of man who
showed no mercy in the bedroom. He took control, he fucked hard, and he knew his way around a
woman’sbody.Healwaysleftmebeggingformore.

Mybodyigniting,Isteppedforward,puttingsomeairbetweenus.“Thanks.Gotit.”Iglancedathim

overmyshoulder.

Hesimplystoodtherewithanintense,angrygaze.“Iammerelytryingtohelpyou.”
“Helpme?”Itiltedmyhead.“Youaretryingtohelpme.”Ilaughed.Thatwashysterical.
“Whatisitthatyoufindsohumorous,woman?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head at my bare feet. I hadn’t come here with shoes, and since I’d been

demoted to unwelcome invader from another land, they hadn’t offered to make me any. In any case, his
refusaltoacceptwhoIwasmadeitimpossibletofindasolution—awaytochangeevents.Wewerestuck
withgoingbackandfighting10Clubonourown.“Yeah.Thankyoufor‘thehelp.’”

Hecrossedhismeatyarmsoverhisbarechest.“Icould’vehadyouthrownintotheocean.”
“Apregnantwoman?”Ididn’tbelieveawordofit.“Youdon’thaveitinyou,King.Andyoucanstop

thetough-guyact.Iknowyou.”

“Doyounow?”
“BetterthanIknowmyself.”
“Andtellme.”Hebentdown,shovinghisfaceintomine.Hisbreathwasmintyandmademewantto

kisshimforataste.Didhehaveanycluehowbeingnearhimlikethispainedme.Itwasacompletemind
fucktolovehimasmuchasIdidandforhimnottoknowmeatall.“Whatisityouthinkyouknow?”

I gazed into his sapphire blue eyes and sighed. “Your belief in being good and your loyalty to the

peopleyouloveareeverythingtoyou.You’dratherdiethanbetraythem.You’realsoafighter.Yourefuse
togiveup.”

“Ithinkyouspeakingeneraltermsthatcouldapplytoalmostanyman.”
Ishrugged.“Isuppose.ButI’venevermetanyonewhorefusedtodieorstaydead.Yourstubbornness

transcendstheboundariesofspaceandtime.”

“Ah. You are referring to your little story about my cursed spirit walking the earth for thousands of

yearsinsearchofyou.”

Hisglibtonedidn’tsitwellwithme.“Idon’tneedthis,King.Igetit.Youdon’tbelieveme.Andyou

don’thaveto.Historywillfindawaytoplayout.”

Helaughed.“Only,youclaimIfallinlovewithyou,somethingwhichisclearlyimpossible.”
I couldn’t lie. His words stung. “That’s because you killed the version of me you fell in love with.

Youbrokeher.Now,ifyoudon’tmind,thissmarter,moreseriousversionofmyselfhastofigureouthow
to survive against the most powerful and demented bastards on the planet that you created. Thanks for
that,bytheway.”

Hiseyestwitchedwithirritation.IfIhadtoguess,I’dsayhewasdebatingthrottlingmeorthrowing

meintothatsinkingboatagain.

“Brother,thereyouare.”AspittingimageofKing,wearingadarkblueclotharoundhiswaistandhis

hairpulledbackintoabraid,walkedintothecourtyard.“IcameassoonasIreceivedthemessagefrom
Lema.Whathashappened?”

“Mack,” I whispered. I couldn’t help but stare. He looked so young and bright. He hadn’t been

tortured and killed and broken by 10 Club. He was still just the king’s playboy brother, who lived a
carefreelife.

“Sheshouldnothavesummonedyou.Thisisnoconcernofyours,”Kingsaid.
“Likehellitisn’t,”Igrumbled.
“Silence,orIwillhaveyourtongueremoved,”Kingbarkedatme.
Ilaughed.“Yeah,right.You’retooniceforthat.”
“Who is she?” Mack asked, only he went by his first name in this era. Callias. Callias Macarias

Minos.MackwasshortforMacarias.

“Hi.I’myoursister-in-law,Mia.Andyourpregnant,grievingwidowiswithLema.Youshouldreally

gomeether.”

Mack’sdarkbrowsknittedtogetherinconfusion.
Kingshookhishead.“Donotpayheranyattention.Sheismad.Andsheisleaving.”
“I’mnotmad.You’restubborn.Andyourbrotherdeservestohearthetruthandmakeuphisownmind.

Thisaffectshim,too.”

“Nooneaskedyou,Seer,”Kingbarked.“Nowleave,orI’llhavetheguardscarryyouout.”Hiseyes

lockedwithminebutthendroppeddowntomybreastsforamomentandthentomylips.Yep.He’sstill
King.Feistinessstillranghisbell.

“Callias,”Isaid,lookingatKing,“yourbrotherisagianthorse’sass.”
“What’sahorse?”Mackasked.
“Nevermind.”IwalkedovertoretrieveArch.He’dbeawakesoonandwouldwanttoeat,soIhadto

go prepare our food in the kitchen—really a room with a few pots, utensils, and a fire. King’s house
slavesletuscookintheresincetheywereafraidofusandLemawarnedeveryonetobekind.TheSeers
carriedalotofweightaroundhere.

AsIpickedupArch,IheardMackandKingbeginningtobicker.MackinsistedKingexplainwhya

strangewomanwithgoldenhairwasontheirisland,andKingtriedtobrushhimoff.Thenthetwostarted
reallygoingatit.

IhopedMackdidn’tbackdown.Attheveryleast,hehadtomeetTeddi.Maybehewouldbelieveour

storyandpersuadeKingtotrytofindanewpathforward.Forthem,forus,fortheirpeople.

CHAPTEREIGHTEEN

IspenttherestoftheafternoonwithArchwhileTeddistayedwithLema,whogaveheracovetedspittat
and taught her how to be a Seer that could do more than simply heal. The slaves in the kitchen were
already worried about what they’d heard: Their people would go to war and disappear if King didn’t
listentome.TheyalsoaskedaboutTeddi.Wasittrueshecouldheal?WhenI’drepliedyes,theygasped.
“Shemustbeafavoriteofthegods.Whyisourkingshunningher?Wewillbepunished.”

Ha.Takethat,King.Yourpeoplethinkyou’reaboneheadforbeingmeantous.
Teddiranintoourroom,whereIsatonacrudelymadeburlapblanket,playingpeekaboowithArch.

“Mia!Ohmygod.Imethim.Imethim!”

“Who?” From her excitement I would’ve guessed Elvis, something not so entirely impossible given

allofthecrazinesswewereencountering.

“Mack!Ohgod.He’sso…different.Buthe’sstillhim.Herecognizedmerightaway.”
IstoodupandproppedArchontomyhip.“Heremembersyou?”
“Hecouldn’ttakehiseyesoffmeandjustkeptsaying,‘Iknowyou.Iknowyou.’Itcompletelyfreaked

himthehellout,andheranaway.Maybeit’sourconnectionandmySeergift—they’resomehowhelping
himseewhatIsee.”Herwidegreeneyestearedup.

“Areyouokay?”Iputmyfreehandonherarm.
“Yes.”Shescrubbedherfacewithherhands.“No.Imisshim,Mia.Imisshimsomuch,andseeing

himjustnow…”Shedroppedherarmsandshookherheadrapidly,blowingoutabreathtoshakeitoff.
“I’mokay.Ijustdidn’trealizehowmuchI’dbottledupsincehedied.”Shelookedatme.“Ifeellikethis
wassupposedtohappen,Mia.Iwassupposedtocomehereandfindhimagainandgetthechancetodoit
allover.Nocurses.No10Club.Just…us.”

“Soyouwanttostayhere?”IaskedTeddi.
“Lema told me if I do, it could help change the course for the Minoans. I’m a new element to the

equation.”

“WhataboutHagne?She’sinlovewithMackandengagedtoKing.She’llcomeafteryouonewayor

another.”

Teddishookherhead.“TheeldersalreadydecidedtodisobeyKing.TheywillkillherandIwillbe

offeredasareplacementtoherfamily.”

“Youreallythinkthat’sgoingtowork?Peoplearenotinterchangeable.”
“They’re Seers. They don’t think like we do. They answer to a higher power, and to them, it’s all

aboutbalancingouttheelementsthatruletheirworld.Andtheytalktotheirdeadancestorsonaregular
basis,whichisverydisturbing.Especiallyasapsychologist.”

“I still don’t understand how this all works out. I mean, if Mack never gets caught up in the Hagne

drama,thenhenevergoestoMexicotomeetyou.”

Teddi slowly moved her head from side to side. “Lema says if I stay, the events will realign

somehow.Ithasto,becauseI’mhere,aren’tI?”

Ah,theold“fatedoesn’tlikecontradictions”argumentthatLemahadmadetoKing.
“Whataboutyourparents?”TheywerealiveandretiredinArizonasomewhere.
“Ithinkthatmyparentswouldwantmetobehappy.That’salltheyeverwanted.”
Ilookedintoherbiggreeneyes.Shelookedsodamnedhappy,andIdidn’twanttorobherofthat,but

thingswerenotsosimple.“IknowyouwanttobewithMack,butKingwon’tletmestayandIcan’tfight
10Clubalone.”

“Iknow,”shesaidtriumphantly,“andthat’swhyyou’regoingtogobackwithKing.”
Inearlychokedonmytongue.“Sorry?”
“You,Arch,King.Youallreturn.”
AnotherKingsubstitute-impersonatorplan?“Itwouldneverwork,andevenitifcould,Kingwould

neverleavehispeople.Never.”

“Whatifhedoesn’thavethechoice?”
“Youmeankidnaphim?Oh.Thatwouldbeanexcellentchoice.Icouldlistentohimyellatmeforthe

nextfiftyyearsuntilIgrowoldanddie.”

“I’mnotkidding,Mia.Thinkabouthowthatwouldchangethings.”
“Ifheleft,whowillrulehere?”
“Mack. I’ll help him. The Seers will help him. There will be no brotherly duel. No war. And the

Seerswilllive.”

“It’stoorisky,Teddi.WehaveabsolutelynoideawhatI’llbefacingwhenIgetback.”Thentherewas

theissueofnothavingKing’scooperation.He’dbepissed.Andinshock.

Shegrabbedmyshoulder.“No.You’remissingthepoint.IfKingstaysherewithoutacommitmentto

change things, then history will likely repeat. Maybe the war will start because the Seers kill Hagne
withoutKing’sapproval.OrmaybeKinggetsintoaconflictsomeotherwayandstillendsupcursed.We
don’tknow.Butifyoutakehimwithyou,andIstayheretoliveoutmydaysandhelpthesepeople,we
couldavoideveryhorriblethingthateverhappened.Kingwon’tbecomecursed.The10Clubwon’tever
becreated.Itallgoesaway.”

Oh. I hadn’t thought of that. It did make sense; however, we were trying to outguess and outsmart a

milliondifferenteventsthathadallledustothisexactmoment.“Honestly,Ifeellikewe’retrappedinan
impossible, dizzying maze of variables my brain can’t come close to comprehending.” Arch started
pullingonalockofmyhair.Iunwrappedhischubbylittlefingersandswitchedhimtotheotherhip.

“Mia,whatI’mtalkingaboutisbiggerthantryingtoinfluencethevariables.Thinkofitasifwe’re

playingchessonagiantboard,onlywe’regoingtoremovetheboardaltogether.”

Thefactthatshebelievedinthisplansoconcretelygavemereasontoquestionmydoubts,butatthe

endoftheday,wewereallstillguessing.

“Ineedtothink,Teddi.It’s…alot.Alot-alot.”
“Alot.Gotit.”
“Whathaveyoudonetomybrother?”growledadeepvoicefromtheopendoorway.Webothturned

tofindKingstandingthere,fistsballed,faceragered,lungspumping.HisgazewaslockedontoTeddi.

Iinstinctivelysteppedbetweenthem.“Calmdown,King.Shedidn’tdo—”
“Silence!”heyelled.“Thishasgonefarenough.”Helookedoverhisshoulder.“Putthemincages.”
Severalmeninredskirtsrushedintotheroom.
“Youcan’tdothistous,”Isaid.
“Youthinkyoucancometomyhomeandtrytotakeover?YouthinkyouandtheSeerscandoasyou

please?Disobeyme?Putspellsonmybrother?Youdonotknowme.”Hisnostrilsflared.“Youdonot
knowhowfarIwillgotoprotectmypeoplefromthelikesofyou.Takethem.”

CHAPTERNINETEEN

FearingthatArchmightgethurt,Ididn’tfighttheguards,whowereapparentlynotSpirosbecausethey
didnotseemtogiveaflyingMinoanfuckaboutputtingtwopregnantwomenandababyintocages.At
least,I’dhopedthatwaswhereTeddiwent,becausethey’dseparatedus.

ButasIsatthereinacrudelybuiltcagemadeofbranchesandbarelytallenoughformetostand,my

mindquicklyplummetedintoafitofpanic.Shit,shit,shit,it’sstartingalloveragain.

ThemomenttheSeersfoundoutthatKinghadjailedus,theywouldcometoouraid.Thepeoplehad

already begun to see Teddi as a gift from the gods with her healing powers. And if Mack truly felt a
connectionwithTeddi,hemightnotbesohappyaboutthisoutcomeeither.Icouldseeamilliondifferent
waysthissituationwouldendintragedy,Kingdeadandcursed.

My skin began to crawl, remembering how sadistic and cruel King had become when he’d been

cursed.Evenhecalledhimselfamonsterduringhismorelucidmoments.

No.No.Thiscan’tbeourfate.
IknewIwouldhavetodowhatTeddiaskedandtrytostealKing.Iwouldhavetotakeaboldleap

andprayitwastherightchoice.

“Hey!” I called out to the guards on the other side of the fenced-in area that looked like a twisted

peoplezoo,withseveralrowsofcages.Thankfully,itwaswinter,soweweren’tcookingasthesunhit
highnoon.“Hey!”Icalledout.“TellthekingIneedtotalktohim.TellhimI’mreadytoleave.”

Theguardsdidn’tpaymeanyattention.
“Look,”Isaid.“Iunderstandyouprobablysithereallday,listeningtopeoplebegandcomplain.But

youandIbothknowtheSeersarenotgoingtoletthisgounpunished.Fightingwillbreakout.Peoplewill
die.AndI’msureyoudon’twantthat.”

Theguardsdidn’tevenblinkinmygeneraldirection.
Icontinued,“I’mnotaskingyoutofreeme.I’mjustaskingyoutotellthekingthatIwanttospeakto

him,thatI’mwillingtoleave.Today.Ijustneedtoseehimfirst.Please.”

Oneofthemengaveaslightnodandwavedoveranotherguard.“Standpost.Iwillgoseeourking.”

Hewalkedawaycalmly,butasthehourspassed,Irealizedhewasn’tcomingback.

Fuck.Thisjustkeptgettingworseandworse.

About three or four hours later—didn’t have a watch, so who knew for sure?—another man with light
brownhairandscarsonhischestcametoletmeout.Fromhissizeandtemperament,Ihadtheimpression
thatthismanwasawarrior.

KingthinksI’mdangerous.Wonderful.HowwouldIgetclosetohimnow?
ThemanletmeandArchoutofourcrudejailcellandledusoutofthefenced-inareaandthrougha

tallsetofwoodengatesoutsidetheking’scompound.

“Wherearewegoing?”Isaid,bouncinganowscreamingwetbaby,followingalongadirtroadfilled

withsharprocks.

Dammit.Imissshoes.
“Lema’s home. You are expected there.” He pointed toward a small cluster of whitewashed houses

withapenfilledwithgoatstooneside.“Itistheonetothefarright.”

“Thanks.”Igavehimaquicknodandcarefullywalkedtothesmalldwelling.“Hello?”Ipeekedmy

headinsidethetwo-roomcottagewithplaster-coveredwallsandhearth.Nowindowsordoor.

“Mia!”TeddisatatasmalltableinthecornerwithLema.Hereyeslookedallpuffyandred.
“Missme?”Isaid.
“OhGod.”Sherushedoverandgavemeahug.“Areyoutwoalright?”
“Heputmeinacage.Itwaslovely.Andyou?”
“Same. But I wasn’t there long. Mack got me out.” She looked at Arch, who kept crying. “Oh, you

poorthing.Didyourevildaddylockyouup?”shesaidinapoutytone.“Here.Letmechangehim.I’ve
gotsomeboiledmilkandbarleyalreadystarted.”

Arch stopped crying the moment she touched him. Soothing Seer powers. They need to bottle that

stuff.

“Thankyou.”Isighedexasperatedly.
Shesmiledandtookhimintotheotherroom.
“Sowhathappened?”IaskedLema,whosatatherlittletable,sippingfromaclaycup.
“Please,sit.CanIofferyousomewine?”
“NormallyI’dsayyes,butI’mpregnantandhaveafeelingI’mgoingtoneedaclearheadtodealwith

whateverishappening.”Theairaroundusbuzzedwithtension,anditwasnotcomingfromme.

“Therehasbeenmuchdebateandnegotiationwithourking.Adealwasstruck.TheSeerspromised

nottoharmHagneifhereleasedthetwoofyou.”

I really hadn’t wanted Hagne killed, despite her black heart, but that was only because her death

seemedtobeacatalystforsomanyevents.Otherthanthatreason,however,shedidn’tdeservetobreathe.
Notaftereverythingshe’ddonetome.

“Okay.Sonowar?”Iasked.
“No.”
Thiswasgood.Thiswasgreat!Except…HagnewouldstillbeathreattoKingandMack.Dammit.

Dammit.Weweregoingdownthesamepath.Icouldfeelitinmyheart.Icouldtastethedoomintheair.

“AndwhataboutHagne?She’lltrytohurtTeddiandMack.”
“TeddihasagreedtocureHagne.Shewillremovewhateversicknessisinhersoul,butasTeddiis

nowlearning,thereisalwaysacostwhenaSeeruseshergifts.”

“Soitcouldbedangerous?”
Teddicameintotheroom,holdingahappy,laughinglittleArch.Hisbrightblueeyesandhappypink

lipsmeltedmyheart.

“AreyougoingtocureHagne?”IaskedTeddi.
“I’mgoingtotry,butI’llwaituntilafterthebabyisborn.Inthemeantime,we’llhavetokeepaneye

onher.”

Inodded,tryingtothinkitthrough.“Soyoustillwanttostay?”
She took my hand. “It’s okay, Mia. I spoke to Mack—I mean, Callias—he understands what’s

happening.AndIhavefaithinus.Especiallysinceseeingeachotherherefeelslikethefirsttime.”For
them,ithadbeenloveatfirstsight,theirconnectiondeepandunbreakable.“Ilovehim,Mia.JustlikeI
alwayshave.”

“Butyouknowhe’snotexactlythesameman.Thingswillbedifferent.”
“Itdoesn’tmatter.Ican’tleaveCallias.”
“Did someone say my name?” Mack stood in the doorway with a slight twinkle in his eyes, which

werestucktoTeddi.

Teddi’s face lit up. She was so in love with him, and it made me jealous. I hated the mishmash of

feelingsinsidemethatcoatedtheloveinmyheartlikeadirtyblanket.

“Hi,Callias,”Isaid.“Thankyouforhelpingus.”
Hedippedhishead.“Amanknowswhenfateiscalling,andifhedoesn’t,hedoesn’tdeservetolive.”

HewinkedatTeddi,whosatwithArch,feedinghimalittlemilkmush.Hewastoohungrytosquabble.

Callias walked over to her and kneeled in front of Arch, watching him with a sort of loving

fascination.Afterseverallongmoments,hesighed.“Thiswillnotbeeasyforme,losingmybrother.But
thereisnothingIwouldn’tdoforhimorforourpeople.”

“Soyoutoldhim?”IaskedTeddi,referringtotheplantobringKinghomewithme.
“Ineededhimtoputhisfaithinme,soIputmyfaithinhimfirst.”Shebeamedathim.
Thathadbeenariskymove,butitwashelpfultohaveMackonboard.
“Soyousee,Mia,”saidLema,“thepiecesarefallingintoplace.Nowyoumustgototheking.Itis

timeforyoutoleavebeforefatemoldstheeventsinanonreversibledirection,astheyoncewere.”

Fate was already hard at work. I could feel something bad, something horrible floating in the air,

waitingtostrike.

“And,Mia,”sheadded,“theancestorssaythatyourgiftswillneverbereturned.Adealwasstruckto

createbalance.Itcannotbeundone.”

Istareddownatmydirty,sorefeet.“Ifiguredthat.”
Lemagotupandwalkedover,layingherhandonmyarm.“Theyalsosayyoumustleavethisplace

immediatelyandneverreturn.Youorthechildinsideyou.Itwouldonlycreatemorerisk.”

I hadn’t planned on returning, but God only knew what would happen when I went back. The

possibilitieswereendless.IwouldalsomissTeddiwithallmyheart.Shefeltlikemorethanafriend.
Shewaslikeasister.

“Christ.”IdrewadeepbreathandthenlookedatCallias,whostoodandtookholdofamessy,but

happylittleArch.“Please,promiseyou’lltakegoodcareofTeddi.”

“Iwilldomybest.”Hebowedhisheadoflongblackhair.
IlookedatTeddi.“Andpleasebecareful.Hagneisdangerous.”
“Wewillmakesureshe’snolongerathreatoncewefindher,”Calliasreplied.
“Whatdoyoumean,findher?”Iasked.
“Shehasrunaway,”Calliassaid.
“Oh,great.”Psycho-Seerwasontheloose.
“It’sokay,Mia,”saidTeddi.“Shecan’tgetfar.We’reonanisland.”
“LetushandleHagne.Itistimeforyoutogo.”Lemascoochedmeoutthedoor.“Hurrynow.”
“Okay,okay.I’mgoing.”IgrabbedArch,whowatchedthedramawithwideblueeyes,fromCallias.I

thenlookedatTeddi.Icouldn’tbeartosaygoodbye.Especiallylikethis.Iwouldneverseeheragain.

She hugged me and Arch. “Take care, Mia. I promise to write every day.” She pulled away and

smiled.“You’llfeellikeyouwererightherewithus.”

Myeyesteared.She’dbelongdeadthemomentIgotbackhome.Wait.Iglancedatherhand.“You’re

stillwearingthering.”

ItusedtobeKing’s,buthegaveittoherrightbeforehe’dsavedMack.Kingtoldhertotakegood

careofhisbrother,andtheringwouldkeepherfromaginganddyingaslongassheworeit.He’dmade
one for Arch and me, too. I had taken mine off after King left us. I couldn’t stand the thought of living
foreverwithoutthemanIloved.Arch’sringwasinthesafewithmine.Kinghadthoughttogiveittohim
whenhewasgrown.

Teddi glanced at her finger with the shiny little diamond embedded securely in a gold band. “I…I

don’tthinkI’llkeepiton,Mia.Idon’twanttowatcheveryoneelsegetold.”Meaning,shedidn’twantto

liveforever.Notifthatmeantleavingeveryoneelsebehind.

“Iunderstand.”Isqueezedherhand,feelingmyhearttearjustalittlemore.Everythingwashappening

sofast,andlittlebylittle,Iwaslosingeveryone.“Haveawonderfullife,Teddi.Andgivethatbabyabig
kissformewhenshecomes.Okay?”

“Iwill.”Shegavemeahug,andIcouldn’tletgo.
“Mybrotherwillbeinhischambers,”saidCallias,urgingusapart.“Comethisway,Mia.”Hegavea

longing glance at Teddi. Yes, those two were already goo-goo ape shit over each other. “I will return
shortly,”Calliassaidwithacockylittlesmileandbeganwalking.

ItookonelastlookatTeddi,committingherfacetomemory.“Goodluck.”HoldingArchtightlyinmy

arms,Ifollowedhimbackthewaywecame,upthedirtroadtothetallwoodengatesthatledtotheouter
perimeteroftheking’scompound.Thetwosword-totingguardsletuspassimmediately.

“What’sKinggoingtodowhenheseesmehere?”Iasked.
“Letmehandlehim.Youfocusonmakingthingsrightformynephew.”Calliasflashedasmileover

hisbroadshoulders.Ilovedhisconfidence,butitwasn’tenoughtocalmmynervousstomach.

We passed through a small fig orchard and reached the building overlooking the ocean. It had big

pillarsinfrontandelaboratepatternsinblueandredpaintontheoutside.Suddenly,memoriesofbeing
herewith King duringmy first triphit hard. The wayhe’d made loveto me—ravenous and passionate.
Thelongsoaksinhistub.Talkingforhoursabouthisparentsandhowhefeltgrowingup,knowinghe’d
beresponsibleforsomanypeople.Thetimewespentherehadbeenshortbutcementedthismaninmy
heart.Funnyhowhecouldn’tstandthesightofmenow.

Justwaituntilyoukidnaphim.He’sgoingtohateyouonawholenewlevel.Myheartandstomach

knottedwithsadness.God,myfeelingsweresomessedup.IhadbeenthroughsomuchwithKing—the
deepestlove,themostcrushingheartbreak—Ididn’tknowwhichwaywasup,butIknewIlovedhim.I
alwayswould.Still,giventhewaythingshadturnedout,Ihadtowonderifweweresimplynevermeant
tobe.Imean,lookhowTeddiandCalliasturnedout.Theeventshaddonenothingtodulltheirpassion.

Besides,itdoesn’tmatterifKingdoesn’tloveyouanymore.Youstillhavetodothis,Mia.Ilifted

mychin.Ihadtobefastandjusttakehim.Band-Aid.Rip.

“Brother!”Mackcalledoutasweapproachedthedoorwayguardedbytwomoremen.Itseemedthere

wasanendlesssupplyofsoldiersontheisland.“Ihavebroughtsomeonetoseeyou.”

King emerged looking pissier than ever—dark brows pulled together into angry ridges, nostrils

slightlyflared,lipsmashedtogether,andjawtighterthanapairofboltcutters.Themomenthesawme,he
exploded.“Youdarebringthiswitchtomydoorstep?”Kingyelled.

Mackheldouthishands.“Listentome.Wedon’thavemuchtime.”
“Timeforwhat?”Kingspat.
Callias looked at me. This was my cue. I began to focus my energy on the tiny little life inside my

belly,butshewasquiet,possiblysleeping.

Dammit,sweetie.Wakeup.Wakeup.ButdidIreallyneedthat?Herbloodandpowerranthroughmy

body.IknewbecauseKinghadusedittoresurrecthisevilposse.

Okay.Justfocus.HowdidItriggeritlasttime?I’dbeeninastateofhighemotion.Deathandfear.

Jesus.Didmylifealwayshavetobeindangerinorderforamiracletohappen?

“Whatisshedoing?”Kingsnapped.
“Mia?”Calliasurged.“Doyouhavesomethingimportanttosaytomybrother?”
Mygazetoggledbetweenbothmen.“Yes.It’sjust…Ineedamomenttogathermythoughts.”Iclosed

myeyes.Comeon,littleone.GiveMommysomeSeerjuice.HelpMommytakeDaddyhomewithus.

Nothinghappened,eventhoughIcouldfeelherlittlewarmlightglowinginsideme.

MaybeIneededtoretreatandseeifLemaknewwhattodo?Whatotheroptionwasthere?Icouldn’t

standhereallday.NotwhenKingwasdamnedreadytotossmeoutofhiscompoundonmyass.Okay,
just tell him you’re here to say you’re very sorry for everything you’ve done. I didn’t want him to
becomesuspiciousthatIwasuptosomethingandthrowmeinthetwigstockadeagain.

“King, I just want to say—” I opened my eyes just as a female figure with long brown hair came

chargingaroundthecornerbehindKing,withadaggerposedtostrike.

Hagne!
StillholdingArch,IinstinctivelypushedKingtothesideandtwistedmybodytoshieldArch.Ifelt

theknifeslicealongmyshoulderbladeandintomyback.

Iscreamedbutmanagedtostayonmyfeet,unwillingtoletgoofArchorriskfallingonhim.
Callias jumped on Hagne and began wrestling the blade away. Meanwhile, King got his footing

straight.Thelookinhiseyesashemetmygaze,onlyforasecond,wassheerconfusion.

KingquicklygrabbedArchfrommyarmsasIfellover.
AsIlaythere,IheardthefaintsoundsofHagnegruntingandthenacrunchingnoisemixedintoArch’s

cries.

“Goquickly!BringthatTeddiwomannow,”KingcalledoutrightbeforeIlostconsciousness.

CHAPTERTWENTY

Well,goddammit.Howmanytimesdidagirlhavetodiebeforeshedeservedalittlehappiness?Imean,
hell.Whatwasthis,numberthree?

The first time, I’d been wearing that special ring King made for me. It was awful because the ring

didn’t actually prevent death. I still had to go through the pain of dying. The ring then sort of woke me
backup.Terrifying.ThesecondtimeI’ddied,I’dmadeadealwiththeSeerstogiveupmypowersif
theyallowedmetocomeback.Thistime?Ugh.Ihadnothingtobargainwith.

“Fuckyou,death.Yousuck,”Imutteredtomyself.
“Ah,butIamnotdeath,”IheardKing’sdeephypnoticvoice,“andyouarenotdead.”
The pain in my body became sharper as my brain clicked back on. “Ariadna?” I gasped. “Is she

alright?”

King’sbloodshotblueeyesgreetedme.“Lemasaysyouwillbothbefine,thoughyouwillbeweakfor

severaldaysandhavelostalotofblood.”Hesatontheedgeofthepaddedstonebedrightnexttome.

Idrewapainfulbreath.Mylungsdidn’tfeelright,myarmsdidn’tfeelright,andmybackfeltraw.
“Whathappened?”Imumbledweakly.
“BeforeorafterHagnetriedtokillme?”
“After,”Iwhispered.
“Calliasbrokeherneck,andyourSeercompanionclosedthewound.Imustadmit,Ihaveneverseen

anythinglikeit.”

Justwaituntilyouseeyourtime-travelingfetus.
Speakingofbabies,“Where’sArch?”
“He is right here.” King jerked his head to the basket next to him. “He’s been changed, fed, and is

sleepingnow.”

“Isheokay?”Imuttered.
“Yes.Ittookawhiletorockhimtosleep—heisalittlefighter,thatone.”
“I’llhavetothankTeddi.Whenisshecomingback?”Iwhispered.
“WhatmakesyoubelievethatIamincapableofrockingachild?”Kingcrossedhisthickbicepsover

hisbarechest.

“Yourockedhim?”
Kingstoodwithastraightback.“Iamamanofmanytalents.”Hegrinnedproudly.
“Thankyou.”
“Iamtheonewhoisgrateful.”Hescratchedhisshortblackbeard.“ButmightIaskwhyyourisked

yourlifeandthatofyourchildtosaveme?”

I made a little hissing sound. It felt too embarrassing to tell him how much I loved him. “It was

instinctual.”

“No.Mothersinstinctuallymovetoprotecttheirchildren.Youputyourselfintoharm’sway.Forme.”
“I didn’t feel like Arch was in danger—I mean, I felt like…I could…Okay, it was stupid. I really

wasn’tthinking.”Idrewaslow,pain-filledbreath.

King pulled up a small wooden stool next to the basket holding Arch, and sat, bobbing his head of

thickblackhair.“Soyouinstinctuallywanttoprotectme,”hesaidquietlyasifthinkingoutloud.

“Somethinglikethat,”Iwhispered.

He nodded and then looked down at his hands, which were resting on his lap across his little man

skirt,hislargeslightlyhairythighsexposed.

He drew a breath. “I have to say, Mia, that your actions have given me reason to doubt my

assumptionsaboutyou.Awomanwouldnevertakesuchariskunlessshetrulylovedaman.”

Ilookedaway,myheartandbodytootendertocopewiththisconversation.
“Youdoloveme,”hesaid.“Morethanyourownlifeandasmuchasyoulovethatchild.”
Well, the way I loved Arch and Ariadna were very different from the way I loved King, but I

supposedifitcouldbemeasured,they’dcomeprettyclose.Withoutadoubt,Iwouldgivemylifeforany
oneofthem.

“Don’tletitgotoyourhead,”Isaid.
Heleanedforward,plantinghiselbowsonhisthighs.“Idonotunderstandwhatthatmeans.Butyou

trulyaremywife,aren’tyou?”

“Yes,”Irepliedquietly.
“Andheistrulymine?”HeglanceddownatArch.
“Yes.”
Henoddedslowlyasiftryingtosoakitallin.“AndIdiedbeforeyoucamehere?”
“To save Callias. You gave him your body so that he could live and be with Teddi. But then you

returned.You,butnotyou.”

“Isee.”Hisbrowsfurrowedandlipstightened.“Mia,Iwouldlikeyoutotellmeeverything.Fromthe

beginning.Asmuchdetailasyoucanprovide.”

“Why?”Iblinkedathim.
“IbelievetheSeerswereright;fatewishesustobetogether.”Heplacedhiswarmstronghandover

mine.“AndIcannotdenythatIhavewaitedmyentirelifetofindawomanasbraveasyou.”

“Soyoudon’thatemeanymore?”
“You are quite lovely to look at, so that does help matters.” He grinned and it was his trademark

charmingsmile.

Myheartgotallfluttery.There’smyKing.
“IamsorryforthewayItreatedyou,”headded.“Ipromiseitwillneverhappenagain.”
Icouldhardlybelievethischangeinhim.Itmademewanttoweepwithjoyandjumpupanddown.I

lovedhimsodeeplyandthismademewanttobelieve,foolishasitmightbe,inus.Thatwemightfinda
pathforwardagain.

Ichuckledsoftly,tryingnottoprovokemywound.“IfI’dknownitwouldjusttakegettingstabbedby

Hagnetogetyoutobelieveme,Iwould’vestartedoutwiththat.”

Hiswarmsmilemeltedaway.“Seeingyoulyingontheground,bleeding,issomethingIneverwishto

repeat.”

“Meneither.”
“Thenletusproceed.Tellmehowwecametomeet.Tellmeourstory.”
Iswallowedthelumpinmythroat.“ItallstartedwhenmybrotherwentmissinginMexico.Youwere

theonlypersonwillingtohelpme.Foraprice…”

It took several hours to tell King our story again, this time with more detail—about how we met, how
he’dbecomecursedandhowhistoryrepeatedafterIcameherethefirsttime.Hepacedandlistened.I
breathedandtriedtoignoremypain.WhenArchwoke,Kingcalledoneoftheservantgirlstochangehim
andfeedhiminthenextroom.

“Soitseems,”hesaid,“thatHagneinitiatedtheevents.”
“Yes.” I shifted on the bed—a stone platform covered in soft fabric stuffed with something cushy.

King’sbedwasmuchnicerthanwhatwe’dbeensleepingon.“Butreally,it’swhathappensafteryoudie
thatstartsallofthis.”

“Iseenowwhyyouwishthingstochange,butIdonotunderstandwhyyoustillloveme.Afterallthat

Idid,Iwouldthinkyou’dbehappytoberidofme.”

Anawkwardsilencefilledtheair.
“IguessI’masuckerforthree-thousand-year-oldkings.”Igrinnedweakly.“God,mybackhurtslike

hell.WhereisTeddi?”

“I told my men that no one is to disturb us. This is important, and I do not want to be interrupted.

Pleasegoonwiththestory.Whathappenedafteryoureturnedfromherethefirsttime?”

Somethingdidn’tfeelright.King’svoicehadahintofworry.
“Iseverythingallright?”Iasked.
Hesmileddownatme.“Youhavenothingtoworryabout,Mia.Pleasecontinue.”
Weaker than hell, I completed the story. King and I getting married, having Arch, and Mack dying.

Thentherewastheawesomepartabout10ClubandKing’ssuper-funbuddiescomingbacktolifeinthe
nameofworlddomination.

After I finished, King sat for a long time, scratching the back of his head, getting up and pacing the

room, sitting again, and then pacing some more. I got the impression he wanted to say something, but
didn’tknowhow.

“Whatisit?”
Finally, he turned and looked at me with a hardness in his eyes. “Hagne is dead now; however the

Seerswishedtoexecuteher.TheywillnotbeupsetthatCalliaskilledher,sothereshouldbenowar.”

“I hope not, but things could change and repeat some other way. That’s why I wanted to take you

home.Youcan’tbecomecursed,livethreethousandyearsinpain,andcreate10Clubifyoucomeback
withme.Itchangesthegamecompletely.”

Heshookhishead.“Comebackwithyou?”
“Yes.”
“Youmeanleavemypeople?”
Iwinced,tryingtositup.IknewthatTeddihadclosedanywounds,butIwasn’tfeelinganybetter.

“Thewaytothinkaboutitisn’tthatyou’releavingthem,butsavingthem.Itclosesthedooronawarwith
the Seers.” It also eliminated his death—for now, at least—and becoming cursed and creating his evil
empire.

“Whatifitissomeoneelsewhostartsawar?”heasked.
“Idon’tknow.Maybeit’syourpeople’sdestinytodisappear.Maybeit’snot.Butwhathappenstoyou

andtheevilyoufacilitateisathousandtimesworse,King.The10Clubkill,rape,tortureanddoanything
theyliketoanyonetheylike.”

“Evilwillalwaysexist.”
“Notlikethis.”
“Mia!Ohmygod.Areyouokay?”Teddidashedintotheroom,herbeigelinentunicdirtyandsoaked

withsweat.

“I’mfine,”Imumbled.“Whathappenedtoyou?”
“Good.”SheturnedtoKingandgavehimapush.“Whatthehell,buddy!Ihadtojumpoverawallto

getinhereandthenyourthugschasedmedown.”

“ThisisbecauseIdidnotwanttobedisturbed,”hesnarledather.

“Teddi,I’mokay,”Iwarned,notwantingthetwotogoatit.
“No.It’snot!Youcamethisclosetodying.”Shepinchedaninchofair.
“Well,I’mokaynow.”Weakandinpain,butokay.
“Mia,thatwaswaybeyondabrokenwristorstomachache.Ididn’thaveenoughinmetofullyheal

you.Letmecheckyou.”

BeforeIcouldsayanything,shehadherhandsonme.
“Whatareyoudoing?”Iasked.
“Lemahasbeenshowingmehowtoreadaperson’slight.Nowbequiet.Letmeconcentrate.”Teddi

closedhereyes.“See.There.Ifeelit.You’restillbleedinginside.”

Shit.“Thatexplainswhyithurtstobreathesomuch.”
“Youneedtogettoahospital,Mia.I’mahealer,notasurgeon.Mygiftworksbetteronemotionsand

psychologicalconditions.”

“Ialreadytriedtogohome,butIcouldn’tgetittowork.”
Teddiscratchedthebackofherhead.“Okay.I’llgogetLema.”ShepointedatKing.“Andyou!You

betterletmeinthistimeorsohelpme—”

“Mayweceasewiththethreatsfortoday?”hesnapped.“Ihavehadquiteenoughofthem,especially

fromSeers.”

Teddishotpoisondartswithhergreeneyes.“Asshole.”Sheturnedandhightaileditoutofthere.
Kinglookeddownatme.“Whatisanasshole?”
“Nevermind.She’snothappywithyou.That’sall.”
“Andthisplaceshesaysyoumustgo?Ahospital?”
“It’swheretheyhealthesick,butthehealersusemedicines.Sometimestheyusemachines.”
“Machines?”
“Those are—” A sharp pain exploded in my chest, and I felt hot lead pouring into my left lung. I

wonderedifthatknifehadpuncturedsomething.Ifso,Teddiwasright.Ifshecouldn’thealme,Ineededa
doctor.

“Mia?”Kingkneeleddownbesidemeandstrokedmyforehead.“Whatishappening?”
“Thepain,”Igroundoutmywords.“OhGod.”
“Youarenotgoingtodieonme,Mia.Youcannot.Iwillnotallowit.”
Howsweetthathethoughthecouldordermenottodie.“Idon’tknow…”Irolledtomyside,crying

outinagony.AllIcouldthinkaboutwaspoorlittleAriadna.

“Hell.”Hegotupandcalledtotheguards.“FindoutwherethoseSeersare.Tellthemtohurry!”He

quicklyreturnedtomyside.“Tellme,Mia.TellmewhyIwaitedsolongtoseeyouforwhoyoureally
are?Cursedgods.”

IlovedhisBCswearing.Itwastrulyadorable.Butatthismoment,myheartwaspoundinginmychest

andmyvisionturnedallspotty.

“It’sthestory,”Igroaned,“ofourlives.Tragedy.”
“No.Donotspeakthatway.Youcameallthiswayandenduredtheimpossible.Yousavedmylife,

andIrefusetoletitbefornothing.”

TearswelledinmyeyesasImadeafistovermychest.Icouldn’tbreathe.
“Iwishtoknowyoumore.Iwishtoknowourchildrenandwatchthemgrow,”hesaid.
ThiswasthemanI’dcometolovesodeeply—softunderbelly,fiercelyprotective,andloyal.When

heloved,helovedwitheverythinghehad.Whenhemadeapromise,hedideverythinginhispowerto
keepit.Itmademewonderhowtormentedhemust’vefeltwhenhebrokehisvowstomeinordertolet
Mack live. I couldn’t help thinking that a part of him died that day, and he just couldn’t bring it back,

whichwaswhyhedidn’trememberme.Self-preservation.

“Mia!Ohfuck.”Teddirushedintotheroom,thistimewithLema.“Ohfuck.Dammit,thisisallyour

stupidstubbornfault!Whydidyouhavetokeepherfromme?”shesaidtoKing.

“Yousaidshewasfine,”heargued,hisvoicepanicked.“Dosomethingtohelpher.”
“IsaidIhopedshe’dbefine.AndIcan’tfixthis.”
“Children.”Lemasteppedin.“Pleaseceaseyourbickeringandmoveoutofmyway.”Amomentlater

Ifelthersoothingwarmhandsonmychest,butitdidlittletohelpthepainorthelackofairinmylungs.

“Sheandthechildaresuffocating,”Lemasaid.
“Fuck!Fuck!Fuck!”Teddigrabbedmyhandsandforamoment,Ifeltthemheatup,butthewarmlight

didn’t reach into my chest. “Okay. Okay. I’m going to give you my ring.” She began tugging it off her
finger.

“No.Notsafe,”Igroaned.Theringdidnotstopapersonfromdying,itsimplyrebootedtheirbodies

afterdeath,sotheydidn’tstaydead.IhadnocluewhatthatwoulddotoAriadna.“Ineedadoctor.”

“Mia,youmustgobacknow,”Lemasaid.
“Shesaidshetried;itdidn’twork,”Teddipointedout.
“Try again, child,” Lema demanded, placing a bundled Arch to my side. “Here, take her hand. You

willleavewithher.”SheputKing’sroughhandintomine,andhesqueezed.

Ourgazesmetforamoment,andallIcouldseewaswarmthandaffectioninthebluedepthsofhis

eyes.Hewantedtobewithme.

Myheartblewuplikeabighappyballoon.“Areyousure?”Iwhispered.
“IknewyouwerespecialthemomentIsawyou,Mia.Iwassimplytooafraidtoadmitit.”
Okay.Weweredoingthis.Iclosedmyeyesandtriedtofocusmymindawayfromthepainandon

wantingtoseeusallsafeandhappyinmytime,butnothinghappened.Ifeltsotired,andAriadna’slittle
lightfeltcolder.

“Ican’t,”Iwhimperedinagony.“I’mtooweak.”
“Thenwemustasktheancestorsforhelp,”saidLema,“buttheywillwantasacrifice,and—”
“Enough!”barkedKing.“Allthistalkisspendingtimeshedoesnothave.”
Igaspedforair,lookingtoLemaforhelp.
Sheclosedhereyes.
Afterseveralmoments,Teddibeganprodding,“Whataretheysaying?”ButLemaremainedinsome

meditativestate.

“Hurry!”Teddisnapped.
Lema’sdarkeyespoppedopen.“Theysay…”Shedrewadeepbreath.“ItisasItoldyou.Theysay

Miamustmakeasacrifice.Shemustgivesomethinguptogainsomething.”

God,IjustwantedtokickthosedeadSeersintheirwomanballs.
“Mia,youmustchoosesomethingimportanttoyou.”EvenLemalookedworriednow.
IsuddenlyfeltlikeIwasonceagainbeingplayedwith,askedtomakeimpossiblechoicesbetween

those I loved and held dear to my heart. Regardless, I would give my own life if it meant saving my
unborndaughter,butthatwasnotanoption.SheandIwerenotseparable,andIsureashellwasn’tgoing
togiveupArch.Notnow.Notever.

Thepainunbearable,thetearsflowedfreelydownthesidesofmyface.IlookedatKing,whostood

tallbehindTeddiandLema.Whenoureyesmet,heknew.HeknewIhadtogivehimup.

Hislipspartedwithasadlittlegasporperhapsitwasdisappointment.
“I’msosorry,”Imouthed.
HemovedTeddioutoftheway.“No.Iamsorry.IamsorryIwouldn’tlistentoyouwhenyoufirst

arrived,butnowyoumustlistentome.YouwillnotmakethattradewiththeSeers.Youwillfocus.You
willmakeyourselfleaveherethisinstantandgotothishospitalplace,andIwillbetherewaitingforyou
ontheotherside.”

Iblinkedathim,hiswordsamishmashIcouldn’tunderstand.“Where?”Didhemeandeathperhaps?
“Youwillleaverightnow,andIwillbethere.”Hebentovermeandsqueezedmyshoulder.
Ididn’tunderstand.“Butthat’snotpossible.Youcan’t—”
“Curses,woman!Youcan.IfI’velearnedonethingaboutyou,it’sthatyouhavetheobstinacyofan

ox.Nowforonce,doasyouaretoldandleave.”

“Buthowareyou…”Mymindclicked.Shit.Please,nomorecurses.“No!Youcan’t,King.Please,

I’mbeggingyou.”

“Youmusttrustinme,Mia,”hesaid.
MybodyscreamedformoreairandtohelpAriadna.“No,pleasedon’t.Youhavenoideawhatyou’re

saying.”

Theonlywayforhimtomeetmeontheothersidewastolive,inoneformoranother,throughthenext

threethousandgoddamnedyears.

Heleaneddownandwhisperedinmyear,“Iwillmakethingsdifferent,andIwillbethere.Ipromise.

Sopleasegoandsaveourdaughter.”

AsmuchasIwantedtopleadwithhim,Ididn’thavetime.Hewouldliveinhell,feelinghissoulrot,

consumedbyrageandthedarknessthatcomeswhenyoucannotescapeyourworstnightmarebecauseyou
arethatnightmare.Iwouldonlygettotheothersideandfindthe10Clubstillthere,Kingpossiblystill
alive—evilasfuckandwantingtohurtme,unabletoprotectourchildrenbecausehisheartsimplydidn’t
feelloveforanyone.

Hepressedhisforeheadtomine.“Iamsorryfordoubtingyou,Mia.Butnow,youmusthavefaithin

me.Wewillgetourtimetogether,andIwillensureyouaresafe.”

“Youmustletgoofhernow,”Lemasaid.“Mia,tryagain.Focus.”
WithArchtuckedtomyside,Kingbentdownandkissedhistinyforehead.“Seeyousoon,mylittle

warrior.”

Kingreluctantlystoodupandbackedaway.LemajerkedherheadatTeddi.“Putyourhandsoverher

stomach.”

“Whatarewedoing?”Teddiasked.
“Youaregoingtogiveheryourlight.”Lemajerkedherhead.“Hurry,child.”
Teddi placed her trembling hands over Lema’s. I looked into Teddi’s eyes, wanting to say so many

things—thatIwassogladtohavemetherandwouldmissherifIsurvived.Thatshewaslikeasisterand
thetimewehadtogether,whenIneededafriendthemost,wassomethingI’dneverforget.

“Don’tforgettowrite,”Imuttered.
Teddilaughed.“TellmyparentsIlovethem.”
I then looked at King’s beautiful face. Please don’t do this. But that was a lie. I would’ve given

anythingtoseehimagain.Iwasn’treadytolethimgo.

Heflashedthatcharming,cockysmileasiftotellmeonelasttimethatitwouldallworkout.ThenI

feltawarmthblanketingmybodyandmymindgoingdark.IthoughtofAriadnasafeandhappy.Ithought
ofArchinhislittlecrib.IimaginedKingandmewalkingonhisfavoritebeachjustoutsideourhome,his
warmlivingbodyclosetominebeneaththesheets.Gothere.Gothere.Yourlifedependsonit.Ifeltmy
bodyfadingaway,unsureifIwasdyingorreturninghome.

ThenIwasnothing.

CHAPTERTWENTY-ONE

Iopenedmyeyesandfoundmyselfstaggeringonmyparents’doorstepinSanFrancisco,Archscreaming
bloodymurderinmyarms.AtfirstIjustwantedhimtobequietsomymindcouldriseabovethepainor
thefactIwasspittingupblood.Butitwashisscreamingthatgotmymotherrunningtothefrontdoor.

“JesusChrist,”sheyelled,scoopingupArchandleaningintomebeforeIfellover.“Honey,call9-1-

1!”sheyelledoverhershoulder.“Whathappened,Mia.Canyouspeak?”Shehelpedmelandsoftlyon
thewoodenporch.

“Puncturedlung,”Icroaked.
“Oh,God.Oh,God.Howdidthishappen?”
Ididn’thaveanexplanation,soIjustsaid,“IsKinghere?”
“King?Who’sKing,sweetie?”
Myheartcrashedintoacoldbrickwall.Iwantedtocrybutcoulddolittlemorethanmoanandwrithe

ontheground,tryingtokeeptheoxygenflowing.

He’s not here. He didn’t make it. All the hope inside me drained away. For a moment, one stupid

lousymoment,Ihadbelievedhewouldkeephiswordandwemightstartover.

“Why are you and Arch in those strange clothes?” my mother asked, her blue eyes filled with

confusion.“I’msorry.Don’ttalk.Don’ttalk.”Sheshookherhead.

My father came running out. “They’re on their way.” Luckily the hospital was little more than three

blocksover.

Mightnotmatter.Ifeltmyvisionblackingout,butIrefusedtoletHagnewinthisround.Shemightbe

thereasonthatKingandIwereonceagainrobbedofanotherchance,butshewouldnotbethereasonthis
bodystoppedbreathingorthatIlostmysweetlittleAriadna.Irefused.

“Mom,”Iwhispered,“tellthemI’mpregnant.”TheparamedicsneededtoknowincaseIblackedout,

whichIdidn’t.

They arrived within minutes, and I stayed awake for the entire ride to the hospital. I stayed awake

whiletheytriedtoclearmylungsandIfeltmylifeslippingaway.

But as they placed a mask over my mouth, I saw him—King’s dark shadow looming behind the

doctorsandnursesfranticallytryingtokeepmealive.

Hisghost.
Ismiledathim,thinkingthatinaway,maybehe’dkepthispromise.Hisspiritstuckaround,waiting

formetodie.

“Don’tgiveup,”Iheardhimwhisper.
Iblinked,andhewasgone.
“Hurry!She’sgoing,”wasthelastthingIheardbeforetheanesthesiatookhold.

CHAPTERTWENTY-TWO

Iwokeupaloneinablurryfog,buttheemptycoffeecuponthebedsidetabletoldmemyfatherormother
wasn’tfar.

Mybodyinexcruciatingpain,Itriedtotakeafullbreath.IfeltlikeI’dbeenbeaten,putbacktogether,

andbeatenupagain.ThenInoticedthetubesrunningfrommynoseandmouth.Iimmediatelystartedto
claw at my face, setting off a beeping sound, followed by a woman’s voice telling me to stay still. It
didn’ttakelongforhertoremovethecrapinmythroat.

“Youhadalotoffluidinyourlungs,butthebleedinghasstopped,”thenursesaid.
“Arch,”Iwhispered.
“I’mnotsure,butyourmotherwillberightback.Shewentformorecoffee.”
“Mybaby?”
Thenursepointedtothemonitor,whichIthenrealizedwashookeduptomystomach.“Steadyasa

rock.”

Ifitdidn’thurtsomuch,Iwould’vesighedwithrelief.
MymindquicklywenttothemomentsbeforemyreturnhomeandofKingpleadingwithmetohave

faith.

Whatwentwrong?Whywasn’thehere?
Maybehe’dcometohissenses.Afterall,I’dbeggedhimnottodoit.
“Mia,”mymother’svoicerangthroughtheroom,instantlycalmingme,“oh,honey.It’ssonicetosee

youawake.Theysaiditwouldtakedays.”Shestillworeherpajamasandhadherblondehairinalittle
ponytail.Herblueeyes,samecolorasmine,werebloodshotfromcrying.

“King.Areyousurehe’snothere?”Isaidinaraspyvoice.
“Honey,Idon’tknowanyonenamedKing.Whathappenedtoyou?”
“Idon’tremember,”Ilied.
“Well,thepolicewerehereandthedoctorswereaskingallsortsofquestions.Theysaidyoulooked

likeyouwerecutfromtheinsideout.”

Teddi had only been able to heal the outside. I’m sure that confused the hell out of the doctors, but

franklywhogaveashit?Iwasalive,andthatmeantAriadnawouldbeallright.

JustasIthoughtthat,Ifeltatinyflutterinmylowerstomach.
Thereyouare,sweetie.Mommy’ssogladyou’reokay.
“IsArchokay?”Iaskedwithalaboredbreath.
“He’sfussyafteralloftheteststhedoctorsdidtomakesurehewasn’tinjured,too.Buteverything’s

fine.He’swithyourfather.”

“Aren’tyougoingtoaskaboutme?”Adeep,darkvoicefilledtheroom.
Ilookedbehindmymother,andthere,standinginanelegantblacksuit,wasKing.
Myeyestearedupuntilmyfearkickedin.Icouldn’tseehiscolors.Icouldn’tseeifhewasaliveor

goodorbad.

Isimplystaredathim,waitingforhimtosaysomething.
“Wouldyoumindgivingmeamomentalonewithmywife?”heasked.
“ItoldyoutocallmeMom.Butofcourse.I’llberightoutside.”Mymotherflashedaconsolingsmile

andleft.

Kingwaitedpatientlyforhertobeoutofearshotandthentookaseat.“So,amItoassumethatyou

knoweverythingnow?”Therewasasmugnesstohissmile.

Imadealittlenod.
“AndyourememberwhoIam,whoIreallyam?”heasked.
Inoddedagain.
“Iadmit,afterthreethousandyears,Iexpectedabitmoreexcitement,Mia.”
“But…but…”Ididn’twanttoask.Myheartcouldn’ttakeanybadnews.
Guessingmyquestion,hewhisperedproudly,“Yes.Iamalive.”
“But-buthow?”
Heliftedhishandandshowedmehispinkyring.Ithadadiamondsetintoasolidgoldband.
“Ohmygod,”Iwhispered.“Howdidyougetthat?”
“Teddi gave it to me. And she sends her love. She also wrote you a ridiculous amount of letters,

whichIpreservedforyou.AtleastIhopeso.Itwasnoteasymakingwax-linedjarsin1400BC.”

ThatwaswhenInoticedhisblue,blueeyes.Ohmygod.Heisalive.Tearsofutterrelieffloodedmy

vision.Notonlywashealive,buthedidnotseemlikeacompletewickedbastard.

He continued, “There is much to tell you, much that happened along the journey, but none of that is

importantrightnow.Whatmattersiswearetogether,youaresafe,andthechildrenaresafe.”

“Arewereallymarried?”Iwhispered.He’dsaid“wife”whenhe’denteredtheroomjustnow.
“The old Seer woman was right. The events aligned in such a way that enabled our paths to cross

withoutanycontradictionstothepast.”Heleanedinandstrokedmyforehead.“Wemetalittleovertwo
years ago, and we’ve been married for almost as long. You had Arch about three months ago and got
pregnantagainalmostrightaway.Guessmyspermisreallystrong.”Heleanedbackandcrossedhisarms
overhischestproudly.

“SoIneverknewwhoyoureallywere?”
Heslowlyshookhishead.“Ihavethoroughlyenjoyedgettingtoknowyou,Mia,theonewholived

beforeshewentbackintimetoseeme.”

Myheadcouldn’teasilymakesenseofthisall.Ifwe’dreallychangedhistory,Isupposethatmeant

theMiahe’dbeenwithupuntilnowhadlivedacompletelydifferentlife.Ahappylifefreefromthepast
I’dendured.SoshekindofwentawaywhenIcameback.Thisissuchatrip.I’dhavetodiveintothat
mindfuckofamesslater.

“Is10Clubgone?”Iasked.
“IpromisedyouIwouldfixallthis,didn’tI?”
“Yes,but—”
“Butnothing.Yourestandheal,andIwilltellyoueverythingwhenyou’reready.”Hetookmyhand

andkissedit.“Simplyknowthatyouaresafenow.”

So we did it? We really did it? 10 Club was gone. King was a man and with me. My babies were

okay.Ijustcouldn’tbelieveit.Aftersomuchhardshipandpain,wasitpossibleformylifetoreallyend
upinaperfectplace?

Part of me didn’t dare hope; I’d been let down so many times. The other part of me wanted to tap-

dance.Ideservedahappyending.Wedeservedahappyending.We’dfoughtlikehellforit.

“Jesus,Mia!Momsaysyouwerestabbed?Whatthehell?”Fromthedoorway,asetofbluegrayeyes

gazedatmewithirritation.

“Justin?”No.Itcouldn’tbe.“You’realive?”
JustinlookedatKing.“Didshehitherhead?”
“It’sthepainkillers.She’sabitoutofit,”Kingreplied.

Justin came around the other side of the bed, and all I could do was stare in wonder at my dead

brotherwhowasnolongerdead.Hewasasbeautifulaseverwithhissandyblondehairanddimplesand
boyishsmile.

Myheartleaptintomythroat,triggeringalittlehiccupcryasItriedtobreathe.
“Leaveittoyou,Mia,tomakedramathedaybeforeIleaveforMexico,”Justinsaidwithasmirk.

“NowI’llhavetodelayand—”

“Me-Mexico?”
Hefrowned.“I’mheadingupmyfirstdig.Remember?Youreallydidtakeabeating.Wasitacarthat

hityou?”

“So-somethinglikethat,”Ireplied.
Justin’scellrang,andhegrabbeditfromhispocket.“Onesecond.It’soneoftheguysonmycrew.”

Justinsteppedoverbythedoorwayandbeganchattingaboutsomelostequipment.

IlookedatKing,feelingterrified.“Youcan’tlethimgo.”
He smiled with the world’s cockiest grin. “Mia, it’s perfectly safe.” He gave me a knowing look.

“This I promise. Nothing that will lead to his death, and I am funding his expedition. I made sure
everythingwouldbeasIpromised.”

Icouldn’tbelievethis.
Hecontinued,“Ihadaverylongtimetothinkthroughmygameplan.Nowpleasegetsomerest.You

andIhavesomegettingtoknoweachother,andIneedtotakeyouonourfirstdate.Again.”Hechuckled.
“Thisisgoingtotakesomegettingusedto.”

“Idon’teverthinkIwill.”EverywishI’deverhadwasnowareality.
Hereachedoutandranhisthumbalongmybottomlip,beaming.“Wehaveallthetimeintheworld,

mybeautifulMia.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-THREE

Twoweekslater,mybodywasontheroadtorecovery,thoughitwouldtaketimetobebacktomyold
breathing self. Draco, as I would now have to get used to calling him, sat with me each day for a few
hours,tellingmeeverythingthathadhappenedoverthelastthreethousandyears.Holyhell,itwasalot.
Andhe’donlygivenmetheshortversion.

HesaidthatafterIleftMinoa,thingschangedforhim.Hebegantoquestionhispurpose,hisrole,and

his entire life. It hadn’t been easy for him to accept that he would have such a negative impact on the
worldwhenitcontradictedwhohebelievedhewas—akingwhodeeplycaredabouthispeople.

“Thetruthwasdifficulttoswallow,”he’dsaid,“butonceIacceptedit,IrealizedIcouldchoosewho

Iwantedtobecome.You’dgivenmethegiftofowningmyfate.”

Sohesetofftofindhimself,leavingTeddiandMackandhispeoplebehind.Hesaidhetraveledto

ChinaandtoSouthAmericaandanywherehecouldgettobyboat,byhorse,oronfoot.“Istayedaway
fromtheArctic,though.Toodamnedcoldandthermalclothingdidnotexist,asyouwellknow.ButIwent
everywhereelse.”

Icouldn’tbegintoimagineseeingtheworldatatimewhenpeoplelivedsoisolatedfromeachother.I

imaginedhe’drunintoafewunwelcoming,veryscarypeopleandhisringcameinhandyafewtimes.

“WhathappenedtoTeddiandMack?”
King had shifted his tall frame in his seat when I’d asked that question. And despite looking

uncomfortableashell,hewasstillthemostbeautifulmanI’deverseen.Thisversionofhim,withoutthe
hauntedpast,hadalevityandcharmabouthimInevercould’veimagined.HewasstillKing—arrogant,
confident,andsmart—butthemenacingvibewasgone.Completely.Icouldn’tstopdrinkinghiminevery
timehecamebytositwithmeinthehospital.

AsforMackandTeddi,Kingtoldthestorylikethis:“WhenIfinallyreturnedtotheisland,theywere

old.Theyhadsixchildren,tengrandchildren,andtwogreat-grandchildren.”

“Butyouhadn’taged.”
With nostalgia in his eyes, he shook his head. “I stayed with Mack until his last breath. He told me

howgratefulhewasforhavingsuchawonderfullife.Itrulybelievehelivedashe’dbeendestinedto.A
beloved king, husband, and father. When he died, he was surrounded by everyone he loved, including
Teddi,whodiedshortlyafter.”

The image of them dying brought tears to my eyes, but the thought of them living out their lives

togethermademehappierthanhell.“IwishIcould’vebeenthere.”

King cleared his throat. “Teddi made me promise to bring you the letters she wrote on handmade

paper.Shesaiditwouldmakeyoufeellikeyouhadn’tmissedoutonanything.”

Thathadmademesmile.She’dwantedustobecloseeventhoughthousandsofyearsseparatedus.
“Right after that, about the time their oldest son, Marias, took over as king, the Seers warned of a

volcaniceruption,andeveryonebeganplanningtoleaveCreteandresettleelsewhere.Itoldthemabout
theplacesI’dgoneandseen,thepeopleI’dmet.Theworldwasfairlyuninhabited,sotheyhadtheirpick
ofnewhomes.”

“Wheredidtheygo?”
“TheywenttowhatisnowknownasCyprus.Ittookthemtwoyearstomoveeveryone,buttheydidit.

Agoodthing.Lessthanayearlater,therewasaneruptiononSantorinithatwould’vekilledeveryone.”

Amazing. If war hadn’t wiped them out, the volcano would’ve. “You really did change history.” I

wonderedwhattheimpactwasontheworldnowthatSeersweren’textinctand10Clubwasgone.Evil
peoplestillexistedandalwayswould,ofcourse,butatleastthegoodguyswouldhaveafightingchance.
Afairfight.

KingthenexplainedthatafterMackdiedandeveryoneheknewwasgone,ithadbeenadarkperiod

of his life. He’d thought about taking off the ring and letting go, but the thought of seeing us again, of
keepinghispromisetome,gavehimmotivationtokeepgoing.Iwantedtoaskifhe’dfoundcompany—
lovers,friends,otherpeople—topassthetimewith,butIrealizedhewouldtellmewhatheneededto
share—whathethoughtwasright.TherewerethingsIjustdidn’tneedtoknow.

“SohowdidyouandImeet?”Iasked.
“Teddihadtoldmetheyearyouwerebornbutdidnotknowyourexactbirthday.Shealsoknewyou

werefromSanFrancisco.SoImovedherearoundtheturnofthecentury.Istartedashippingbusiness,
importing spices, art, and furniture from around the world. And I waited. Then one day, I saw you
crossingthestreetwithyourmother.Youwerejustalittlegirl,butIrecognizedyourightaway.”

“Ewww…youpervert.”
He’dlaughedatthat.“Itwasabitstrangetoseeafive-year-oldandsay,‘Hey,theregoesmywife.’

However,Ihadwaitedthislong,Icouldwaitanothertwentyyears.SoIkepttabsonyoubutstayedaway,
notplanningtoattempttomeetyouuntilyourtwenty-fifthbirthday—whichwasyouragewhenwemet.
Butthenoneday,rightbeforeyourbirthday,youwalkedintomyshop,lookingforagiftforyourbrother.
Afterthat,Icouldn’tstayaway.Thewayyoulookedatme—itwaslikeyouknewme,butyoudidn’t.”

“NowyouknowhowIfeltwhenIwenttoseeyouinCrete.”
“Exactly. But I also knew that at some point, the past would catch up with us and that one day, you

would become the woman I met three thousand years ago. Regardless, I fell in love with you. I knew I
wouldstillloveyouevenafteryouchanged.”

“How’sthatworkingoutforyou?”
Heshrugged.“You’reokay.”
Ilaughed.“Oh,Iseehowitis.”Buthonestly,Iknewthishadtobestrangeforhim.Itwasforme,too.

We felt connected but didn’t truly know each other. “So no 10 Club. No curses. No dead people being
broughtbacktolifetoenslavethemasses?”

“Afraidnot.ButIdohaveabusinesstorun,andI’vebeenneglectingthingsforweeks.Let’sgetyou

homeandthenImustleaveforafewdays.There’sacollectionofchinaandcrystalinItalyImustinspect.
Thedealerwillonlyholditformeanotherfewdaysbeforehesellsthecollectionofftosomeoneelse.”

“You’rereallyanantiquitiesdealer?”
“Iknowalotaboutoldthings.”Hesmiled,anditlitupmyheart.“So,areyoureadytobeginournew

life?”

Mywordsstuckinmythroat.Itseemedimpossibletofeelsohappy.“Youhavenoidea.”

After I checked out of the hospital, Draco took me by my parents’ house to retrieve Arch, who looked
plump,happy,andspoiledrotten.Goatmilkandbarleywerenotonthemenu,soI’msurethataddedto
hissunnydisposition.

JustinhadalreadyleftforMexico,butpromisedtobebackinafewweeksforavisit.Icouldn’twait

tosoakhimup.Itwasadreamcometrue.Allofit.Mylifecomplete.

Wepulleduptothehouse,arenovatedblueVictorian,anditwasnosurprisethatitwasonthesame

spotwhereKingoncehadhiscreepymodernpalaceoverlookingtheGoldenGateBridge.Ihadnottold

himthisdetail,butfateseemedtohaverepeatedinsomeaspects.Ididn’tcare.Thishouselookedwarm
andcheerfulwithbrightredrosesinthefrontgardenandcolorfulpaint—purplesandgreens—aroundthe
baseoftheturretsandundertheeaves.

KingpulledtheblackMercedesSUV—hiscar,alsonotasurprise—intothedriveway,andIjustsat

therestaringupatthefairytalehouse.

“Issomethingthematter?”Kingasked.
“No.Notatall.I’mtryingtoimagineuslivingheretogether.”Ilookedintohisblue,blueeyes.
Heflashedhistrademarksmile.“Fortherecord,youloveit.EspeciallythemastersuiteIhadbuiltfor

youonthetopfloor.”Heopenedhisdoorandwalkedaroundtohelpmeout.“Shallwe?”

Isuddenlyfeltnervous.Iknewthisman,butitfeltlikeourfirstdate.“Ready.”
HegrabbedasnoozingArchfromthecarseat,lookinglikeanexperiencedfather,totallycomfortable

handlinghim.

“Youknow,youlookreallyhotwithababyinyourarms.”
Hesmiled.“Youalwayssaythat.”
“That’sbecauseyoudo.”Helookedhotwithoutababyinhisarms,too.
Wewalkeduptothefrontdoor,andKingopeneditup.“JustwaituntilIputonablueskirt.Thatwill

blowyourmind.”

Ilaughed.“Howisthispossible?”
“What?” He held the door for me, and I entered, taking a whiff of the air. It smelled like home—

Arch’sbabypowder,myperfume,eventhevanillaairfreshenercandlesIloved.

“You’resohappy.I’veneverseenyoulikethis.”
Hesteppedinclose,lettingmecatchthescentofhisexpensivecologne.Exactlythesamehe’dalways

worn.“Iamnotthatotherman,Mia.Ikeepmypromises,andIalwayswill.”

Heleaneddownandkissedme.MybodystilledasItookinthewarmthofhislips.Theyfeltsilkyand

sensualasever.ItfeltlikekissingthemanI’dfalleninlovewithsomanyyearsagowhenhe’dbeenjusta
man,deeplydevotedandstrong,butjustaman.

Myking.Ipulledbackandstaredupathim.
“Iseverythingallright?”heasked,hisvoicevelvetyanddeep.
“Ithinkyouneedtogoputthatbabydownandshowmethemastersuite.”
“Thoughtyou’dneverask.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FOUR

KING

IcouldspendhoursgazingintoMia’sskyblueeyes,tellingherhowlongI’dwaitedforthismoment,of
thehellI’dendured.ButwhywastemyenergyontalkingwhenIcouldbewithher,showingherhowI
felt?

IsetoursonintohiscribandtakeMiabythehand,guidingheruptothetopfloor,ourprivateoasis

filledwitheveryluxuryawomancouldwant—fireplace,sauna,walk-incloset.Isparednoexpensefor
her, knowing that this room would be where we would spend our time relearning each other. Fucking.
Talking.Resting.Andforme…pretending.

Ihelpherupthelastflight,knowingherbodystillneedstoheal.ButIneedhermore.Ineedthereal

her.Theonewithscarsandgrit.Theonewhoknowspainandsufferingasmuchassheknowslove.

MyMia.
Forher,Iwillkeepmypromise.Shewillliveinasafeworldfreefromtheinsanityandviolenceof

10Club.

Iwillnevertellherthetruth.
Because,yousee,Ididgiveup.Itookoffthering.Iendedmylifethousandsofyearsago.
But something happened the moment I drew my final breath, the cold steel of the blade in my gut

seared into my memories forever. I saw every second we’d lived now, then, and those moments that
wouldneverbewhenIhadbeencursed.

Itistruewhattheysay—yourwholelifeflashesbeforeyoureyeswhenyoudie.Butwhatnoonetells

youisthatittrulyisthewhole.Whatcould’vebeen,whathasbeen,whatmightbe.IsawhowIhadtried
amilliondifferentwaystobeagood,goodmanandsavethepeopleIloved,onlytoendupdestroying
them and myself in the process. Mack, Mia, my people and children. Every move I made left everyone
scathed.

TherewasonlyonemoveIhadn’ttried.
And in that moment, able to see the pieces, I knew how much I loved Mia and that there wasn’t

anythinginthisworldIwouldn’tdoforher.

Includingtheunthinkable.
IshowMiahernewpalace,onlyvaguelyawareofwhatI’msayingabouttheworkI’vedoneonthe

house.Inmymind,we’realreadyinbed.I’minsideher,ontopofher,kissinghersweetmouthandtasting
her.

“Thisisjust…”Shedrawsashortbreath,lookingaroundthefinelyfurnishedroom.“It’sincredible.”
“Enoughsightseeing.”Standingatthefootofthebed,Ipullherbodycloseandkissher.Softlyatfirst,

soasnottoscareher.ShehasnocluewhatIam,whoIam.

Hersoftbodymeltsagainstme,andIwrapmyarmsaroundher,carefultoholdherclosebutnothurt

her.I’veacquiredmanygiftsoverthecenturiesandmypowerfulbodyisoneofthem.

Ourmouthsmingleandourtonguesdance,butthat’snotwhatIwant.Iquicklystripoffherclothing—

jeans and T-shirt—and watch while she removes her undergarments. Her creamy skin is paler than I
remember,butIknowintimeshe’llgrowstrongagain.

“You’rebeautiful,Mia.”

Sheblushes,standingbeforemenude.
“You’renotsobadyourself.”Sheflashesoneofthosecoy,knowingsmilesthatfeelslikeafamiliar

song—oneIlove.

“Ican’tbelieveyou’refinallyhere.”Ishedmypantsandrevealmyhardcockwithouthesitation.
Shelicksherlipsandgrins,justthewayIknewshewould.
“Shutupandfuckme,”shesays.
Idon’tneedfurtherencouragement,butIdoknowtobecarefulwithher.
I quickly have her on the bed beneath me. I can’t hear or see straight as I plunge my cock into her,

feelinglikeit’sthefirsttime.OurbodiesmoveandsweatandshegroanssoftlyinmyearsasIpushand
withdrawmythickshaft.

Amillionthoughtsrunthroughmewhenshe’spushingherhipsintomine,tryingtogetmydickdeeper.

You’remine.Iwillnevershareyouorleaveyou.Iwillalwaysprotectyou.

Theminutesflyby,andherbodytenses.Hernailsdigdeepintomyshoulders.ThemomentIhearher

climaxing,thecumexplodesfrommycock.Ithinkabouthowgoodshefeels,howrightshefeels.Ithink
abouthowIcan’twaittomakelovetoheragainassoonasshe’sready.Nexttimeslower.

Shesighs,andherarmsfalllimptohersides.“Thatwasincredible.”
Ismiletomyself.Thiswasallworthit.Aslongassheneverfindsoutthetruth.
Ipulloutandgetupfromthebed,knowingI’veneglectedadozenphonecallsinthelasthour.
“Hey.Wheredoyouthinkyou’regoing?”Mia’sheavylidsarealmostclosed.
“I’mgoingdownstairstogetvitaminwater,”Isayquietly,slidingonapairofjeans,andglanceather

stomachcarryingoursecondchild.“Forthebaby.”

“Soundsgood.”Miasmiles,closeshereyes,andnestlesintothebed.
“That’smygirl.Berightback.”Igrabmycell,makemywaydowntothefirstfloorintomystudy,and

hitthesendbutton.“It’sme.”

“Forfuck’ssake,King.YouthinkI’vegotallfuckingdaywaitingforyoutoansweryourphone?”
GoddamnedSeers.Alwayssomouthy.“Shutthehellup,Hagne.”
“Orwhat?”
“OrI’llcomeandshowyouwhathappenstodisobedientbitcheswhoworkforme.”
Shegrumblesontheotherendofthephone.Idon’tlikebeingsocrudewithher,butwhatevergetsthe

jobdone.

“Fine.Sorry,”shesays.“Sowhat’sthenextjob?”
“I’lltextyoutheaddresswherehe’shiding.”Thefuckerhasbeenontherunforweeks,butIamstill

themanwhocanfindanythingoranyone.Foraprice.AndmypriceisMia’shappiness.

“He’sdangerous,sobeonyourguard,”Iadd.
“Alwaysam.”
Notreally.However,that’sthebenefitofowningachaliceandhavingresurrectedSeersatyourbeck

and call. I can always bring them back if they are killed, and I can use the many gifts I’ve acquired to
makethemloyal.“Textmethemomenthe’sdead.”

“Fine.”Shehangsup,andIsendherthelocationofaclubmemberwho’sbeensneakingaround,trying

tofindoutwhoruns10Club.

Ido.
ButnowIrunsomuchmorethanthat.
Yousee,whenIdied,Iunderstoodhowimpossibleitwouldbetohaveaworldcompletelyfreeof

cruelty, evil, and darkness. There was a logic to 10 Club—creating an infrastructure to control and
manipulatethebadthingsinthisworld,inlieuofallowingthemtorunrampant.Buttamingthemonsters

of this world would require a man with extraordinary power and gifts. Someone willing to accept the
darknessinhissoul.

Someonelikeme.
Afterall,howbettertokeepevilawayfromthoseIlovethantounderstanditandbecomeintimate

friendswithit?Or,inmycase,toruleit.

So,itseems,Ialwayswasmeanttobeking.IsimplyhadtoacceptmyplaceinthisworldifIwanted

togiveMiaherhappyending.Butthere’snothingamanwon’tdoforthewomanhe’sdestinedtolove.
Includingbeingalittlebitevil.

THEEND

AUTHOR’SEVILNOTE

Hi,All!

Ihopeyouenjoyedthetwistyroadanddarksurprises!It’sfunnyhowwhenIenvisionedthisstoryabout
10Club,IalwayssawitleadingbacktotheverybeginninginorderforKingandMiatotrulybefreeand
happy.Inmymind,ithadtobeasortofdo-overwheretheygottorebuildtheirlovefromscratchanddo
ittheirway.

WhatIdidn’tseehappeninginthisstory,andneitherdidyou,wasalotofsex.Now,Iknowsomepeople
feel like ya just can’t have a romance novel without a ton o’ steamy scenes. Others don’t like the sex
scenesatall;theyjustwantagoodstory.

Forme,however,Ialwaysfeellikeitcanberaunchyandsteamyorsweetand“fadetoblack”aslongas
itgoeswiththestory.(Example:PrideandPrejudicev.FiftyShades.Lovethemboth.)That’swhyfrom
meyou’llseelotsofsteaminonebookandnotmuchinanother.Itreateachstorylikeauniquecreation
that’sjustgottobetoldhowit’sgottobetold,regardlessofformulasorrules.

SoIhopedyouenjoyed!Personally,Ihatetoseetheseriesend,butIloveseeingeveryonegettheirhappy
ending(Imeanthatbothways).Plus,IlovethatKingstayedjustalittlebitevil.Afterall,that’swhywe
lovehim.(Badboysarethebest!)

Anyway, I’ve got some sexy EVIL KING bookmarks for you (while supplies last). As always, DO
mentionifyoutookthetimetowriteareview!I’llincludeanextrathank-yougoody.

EMAIL:

mimi@mimijean.net

AndforallyouRomanticComedyfans,keepaneyeoutforthenextHappyPantsSeriesbook,LEATHER
PANTS!!Yes,it’scomingoutMARCH3(2017)now.Yippy!

www.mimijean.net/leather-pants.html

Untilthen,happyreading,everyone!

Mimi

Whatsongskeptmywriter-tankfueledforthisbook?Here’smyEVIL

PLAYLIST!

“JarOfHearts”byChristinaPerri
“F*ckYou”byLilyAllen
“SaveMe”byJem
“YourWoman”byWhiteTown
“SomebodyThatIUsedToKnow”byGotye
“IAlwaysKnew”byJem
“TheWayIAm”byIngridMichaelson
“StopwatchHearts”(feat.EmilyHaines)byDelerium
“DirtyLaundry”byBitter:Sweet
“TheFear”byLilyAllen
“Everything’sOkay”byLenka
“Heathens”bytwentyonepilots
“PumpkinSoup”byKateNash
“Mercy”byDuffy
“I’mGonnaBe(500Miles)”byTheProclaimers
“TheWorldAtLarge”byModestMouse
“Possibility”byLykkeLi
“AllTheseThingsThatI’veDone”byTheKillers
“CeciliaAndTheSatellite”byAndrewMcMahonintheWilderness
“Lottery”byTrain
“PlayThatSong”byTrain
“MyType”bySaintMotel
“ColdColdMan”bySaintMotel

COMINGMarch3,2017

Book#3,TheHappyPantsCaféSeries

ItOnlyTakesOneHotRockStarToRuinYourLife…

Theyoungestwomantoeversitonthebench,theHonorableSarahRaeAlmahasbustedherbuttto

getwheresheis.Nofun.Nodistractions.Anddefinitelynobadboys.Infact,shetakesacertainpleasure
incrushingtheirsouls—yes,shehasherreasons.

So when rock-n-roll’s most famous bad boy, the legendary Colton Young, enters her court, looking

hotterthansinandsmuggerthanhell,she’sjustitchingtoservealittlejustice.

ButSarah’sabouttomakethebiggestmistakeofherlife.Andherfatewilllandsquarelyinthehands

oftheworld’smostnotoriousrockstarrebel.

Willhecrushher?Orwillhetempthertotakeawalkonthewildside?

FOREXCERPTS,BUYLINKS,ANDMORE:

www.mimijean.net/leather-pants.html

EVILACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

BIG EVIL HUGS!!! to the souls who put on their dark and wicked hats every time I write one of these
non-snarkyKingbooks.ThankyouKaren,Dali,Ally,andNaughtyNanaforhelpingmegettheplotrolling
smoothly.Thankyou,Latoya,Pauline,andPaulfortakingtimeoutofyourlivestomakemybookssparkle
(andgetoutontime).Iamevillygrateful.

Asalways,abigthankstomyguys—angelseveryoneofyou!Iknowitsucksometimestohaveawife

andmomwho’sacrazywriter.Neveradayoff.

EvilKinglyWishes,
Mimi

ABOUTTHEEVILAUTHOR

MIMIJEANPAMFILOFFisaUSATodayandNewYorkTimesbestsellingromanceauthor.Althoughshe
obtainedherMBAandworkedformorethanfifteenyearsinthecorporateworld,shebelievesthatit’s
nevertoolatetocomeoutoftheromanceclosetandfollowyourdream.MimiliveswithherLatinlover
hubby,twopirates-in-training(theirboys),andtheratterrierduo,SnowflakeandMiniMe,inArizona.
She hopes to make you laugh when you need it most and continues to pray daily that leather pants will
makeabigcomebackformen.

SignupforMimi’smailinglistforgiveawaysandnewreleasenews!

STALKMIMI:

www.mimijean.net

twitter.com/MimiJeanRomance

pinterest.com/mimijeanromance

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facebook.com/MimiJeanPamfiloff

Document Outline

About the Book
Praise for Mimi Jean’s Bestselling King Series
Other Works by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
Title Page
Copyright Page
Contents
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Author’s Evil Note
Mimi’s Evil Playlist
Coming Soon
Evil Acknowledgements
About the Evil Author

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