Under the Velvet Contract

moke between the crates and pylons, and Elena st

ke the name alone could c

hair, once chestnut, was streaked with gray

gile, as if it had been locked away for t

ook a s

. I buried you. Th

y li

e a match tossed

look like an accident. Elric didn't want anyone tracing the ser

gripped a rusted post for

no ch

plintered. "You chose to disappear. Yo

hoved them back. Emotion was

topped watching. You were in danger the mom

stif

*wha

arted. Then sealed

na whispered, every par

here. But you have to be careful, Elena. Damien-he's powerful, but he

ir sh

n metal. Elena's traini

la

the crate be

er mothe

her

the dock, zig-zagging through cargo towers and

intercept. A man

didn't

ing his weapon before it hit the floor. On

ognize herself

o used to cry in linen close

behind the pier. A ca

ac

ow t

lready

arked a fam

mi

d dove after her just as bullets

med the doo

med. The car peeled out, swall

-

re ten blocks from the

er mother sat silently beside h

were white on th

she?" he

hed. "She's

*. Your mother died

e Regime's highlight reel,"

at the woman

proud despite the wou

landed li

h. "You're the one who devel

confirm. She

s mind

ealized aloud. "It's not just about lever

her mother whisper

estate, ch

ds. Lights lit the perimeter li

cut like a blade thro

ant the dock cameras wiped and our traces buried. And send As

k. "This wasn't just surveillance

cleaned the wound. "Th

hat?" Damie

his eyes.

somethin

e was still here. Still shielding h

ow that made

with

h h

nce fell like ash

watching the moon disappear behind storm clouds. He

was

appeared in

f undone. His eye

were asleep," E

were gone," h

n't tur

" she said. "Even

toward her, sl

. I know what it means to carry them.

urned

t are yo

breath. Then, almo

was executed. By the Regime. Because he tried to

rt thudded

just connecte

bound by

leg

l

stepped

n he reached out,

cupped

e once why I

eath c

n. Inches f

strategy. Control. Pro

oice

to lose you before I had

mouth m

ike a

ke a q

he an

ry broke

lie they'

th they'd stil

this didn't come i

me in

ere alread