“There must be something we can do,” Elijah urged. “Some way to unbind the spell—”“We don’t even know what the spell is or who put it there to begin with,” the doctor cut him off. “Until we can figure that much out, we can’t even begin to figure out how to break it.”With that, the doctor removed m
AgnesElijah swiftly sent the rogues away, their handcuffs rattling around their wrists as the warriors led them to the pack cells. Once they were out of our sight, I let out a shuddering breath and dropped my hands back to my sides.“I can’t believe that Ava would send four rogues after me,” I brea
“They’re my parents. You think they’re not going to come when your husband arrests me for no reason?”Before I could answer, Elijah snapped his fingers. Ava was roughly pulled away by James, much to my father’s chagrin. My father followed, of course—and didn’t even look at me as he passed.Now, only
AgnesThe slap was so loud it was like a gunshot through the quiet house.My stepmother staggered backwards, cupping her hand against her face. She stumbled back against the foyer table so hard that it sent the vase on top toppling over, glass, water, and flowers shattering across the marble floors.
Once she was satisfied with the space between us, however, her previous bravado returned. She pulled her shoulders back and said, “So that’s what this is about: that little girl. You think she’ll replace your dead daughter, don’t you? Well, she won’t. She’s not yours, Agnes, and she never will be.”
Agnes & ElijahAgnesElijah’s lips left mine just briefly so that we could come up for air, and as we inhaled deeply and raggedly, the space between us felt like it hummed with static, the air thick and heavy like a grassy field just before a storm.My heart was racing like a warm drum in my chest,
I scrambled out of Elijah’s arms, my feet hitting the floor just as Thea’s small figure appeared at the end of the hallway. My heart was still pounding, and my face felt like it was on fire, but I forced myself to smile and smoothed down my hair as casually as I could manage.“There you are, sweethe
AgnesMy hands trembled as I spread peanut butter and strawberry jam across two slices of plain white bread, the smooth, sticky pink surface of the jam gleaming under the kitchen lights. I tried my best just to focus on making the sandwich and nothing else, but the butter knife kept clinking against
“Of course. The flowers, the lighting, even the table settings—it’s all beautiful.” I tilted my head, studying his expression. “Why do you look so pleased with yourself? Did you have something to do with this?”Before he could answer, Thea tugged on my dress, pointing excitedly to a group of childre
AgnesAll eyes turned toward us.I felt my face heat under their collective gaze. Looking around at the other women in attendance, I realized with a start that my gown was by far the most elaborate in the room. The structured bodice with its window to my heart, the crystal beadwork catching every fl
I looked up at him, puzzled. “Why not?”“It’s a surprise,” he said simply. “Trust me on this.”As I turned the locket in my hand, I thought I heard something rattle inside. Curious, I shook it gently, and there it was again—a tiny clinking sound, like something hidden inside.“What did you put in he
AgnesI woke to a gentle knock on my bedroom door. Blinking away sleep, I glanced at the clock. 7:30 in the morning. The gala wasn’t until later that evening, but my stomach fluttered with anticipation anyway. Today was the day I’d finally wear my creation, against all odds.“Come in,” I called out,
Eventually, Thea’s boundless energy drew her away to chase a butterfly, leaving Elijah and me sitting beneath the cherry tree. Petals drifted down around us like pale pink snow, catching in my hair and on Elijah’s shoulders. We sat in comfortable silence for a few minutes, watching Thea run between
AgnesMy fingers trembled as I attached another crystal bead to the bodice of the gown. I’d been sewing for hours, but my mind refused to settle down no matter how much I tried. The same questions kept circling like vultures, picking at my flesh until it was raw.Could it really be true? Was Mason m
“Agnes?” Elijah squeezed my hand gently. “Are you okay? You look pale.”I forced a smile, pushing aside my suspicions for now. “I’m fine. Just shocked about the witch. And thank you, for waking me up from that nightmare. It was…” I shuddered, remembering the little skeleton in Thea’s bed. “It was ho
AgnesSunlight streamed through the bedroom window, illuminating Elijah’s dark eyes. It was morning. I was in bed, safe although terrified, and the house was just as it always was. Warm and cozy, embers still glowing in the fireplace, and not a cobweb or a skeleton to be seen.Elijah’s face hovered
Just then, a soft rustling sound came from the bed, drawing my attention. There was a small form under the covers, quivering slightly. Like she was hiding under the blankets, scared. Or maybe holding in laughter. It was hard to tell.“Thea?” I said, relief flooding through me. “You scared me, honey.