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So that was his plan. This time, I laugh loudly. He is going to be very disappointed tonight.

“And we will have our place, right?” father begs for whatever scraps Markis will give him. He doesn’t know that the moment Markis deems him and the rest of my family as useless, he will kill them too.

“Of course,” Markis replies. The deception was so thick in his tone you would think my father would recognize it.

The house goes back to normal. Soft conversations go on all around me. My mind focuses on my little sister. I know Chayton and the pack are taking care of her. By now, Tech has revealed that Liz was never really dead. Hopefully, she passed on my message and left to find shelter. I have seven hours before my plan is put into effect.

I thought I’d be more nervous facing my death, but Ms. Cheryl was right. No one should live forever. At 450 years old,it sure felt like I’ve lived forever. If you can call what I was doing living. It felt more like existing. Moving blindly through a world that only saw you as something that could be used and discarded. My ability to be loved was based on what I could provide. People took from me but never valued me.

As I sit here in this window, staring death in the face, I feel more alone than I’ve ever felt before. Placing a hand to my flat stomach, I think of the baby I will never meet and that will never get to be. The one person I’ve always felt would love me unconditionally will never get their chance at life.

“I’m sorry, little one. But I have to.”

A gentle nudge presses against the barrier in my head. It’s Enzo’s wolf. He’s been doing this since last night. He’s trying to communicate with me. I never thought I could love an animal the way I love that wolf. It hurts my heart to cut him off, but I have to. Because I can’t have one without the other and the human has let me know how he feels.

The heavy footfalls heading toward my room have me turning in that direction. I don’t have to guess who it is; I know the cadence of that walk. I spent many years listening to it and waiting for it.

The lock on my door clicks and the door swings open. Markis walks in. He’s wearing a black gothic inspired suit. The only color in the suit is the deep red rose lapel pen that matches the rose appliques on my dress. His locs are barreled twisted back into a low ponytail.

“You look beautiful, Mizani,” he says, looking me over. The lust in his eyes curdles my stomach. I don’t know how the hell I’m going to redo this bond if the sight of him makes me sick.

“As do you, Markis.”

He grins, showing off his perfectly aligned teeth. He walks further into the room where there is an old record player.Clearly, whoever this house belonged to was into jazz and had a firm belief that vinyl makes it sound better.

The smooth sound of Coltrane plays through the speakers.

“It’s been fun catching up on all the changes in the world,” Markis says, swaying to the music. “The best has been the technology and the music.” He holds out his hand for me to take.

Reluctantly, climbing to my feet, I walk over to him and place my hand in his. He immediately pulls me into him and dances with me. This was once our favorite pastime. It goes without saying this doesn’t hit the same way anymore.

“However, admittedly, the greatest benefit of all this is the availability of indoor plumbing everywhere.” He chuckles.

“Yes, that’s been my favorite as well,” I admit.

We sway to the music in silence a little longer.

“I’ve realized something,” Markis says. He stops dancing and pulls back so that he can see my face.

“All the years we were together searching for the Key, I never really asked what you wanted out of all this. I know what I want, and I know what we wanted together. But what is it I can give you, Mizani? I don’t want to look over your desires anymore. I did that once before, and it caused you to doubt me. To doubt us. Tell me, my love, what can I give you?”

I stare up into his handsome face. His perfectly shaved beard and mustache showcasing his full lips. The chiseled jawbone that could grace the cover of any magazine and those deep brown penetrating eyes. I take in every inch of the beautiful man and then burst out laughing.

Markis’ brow pinches. He lets me go and takes a step back.

“I’m sorry,” I say, sobering, wiping the smile off my face. “I just can’t understand how I ever fell for your bullshit.”

He frowns.

“I told you once before, I am not that young girl with a crush on her mentor, Markis. Your head games do not work on me.”

Like a cobra striking, he reaches out and grabs my neck, pulling me into him. His face transforms from handsome to the monster I know him to be.

“You should be thanking me for being kind to you. You’re the reason I was sent to ground. I have a good mind to kill you now and say forget that damn fey power.”

I choke out a laugh. “Yes, but then how will you find out what happened to your precious Toraya and baby?”

Every ounce of his anger and fury fades as he stares down at me. He shoves me away and I go tumbling back to the window seat. Thankfully, it breaks my fall.