Page 56 of Wicked Ends

He holds out his hand, and in it lies a silver locket, old and tarnished but still beautiful. Engraved on its surface is an elegant letter ‘S’.

“What is this?” I ask, not reaching for it.

“It belonged to Abigail Smith. Your ancestor.” His voice is carefully neutral. “Sebastian—the man she betrayed, my ancestor—kept it.”

I stare at the locket, my heart pounding. “Why would he do that?”

“Why does anyone keep reminders of those who hurt them?” Ash’s eyes meet mine. “Because some connections transcend even the greatest pain.”

I slowly reach out, taking the locket from his palm. “Why are you giving this to me?”

“It belongs to your bloodline.” He pauses. “And I thought you might want something of your family’s past. Something tangible.”

I open the locket carefully. Inside is a tiny painted portrait of a woman with my eyes and a lock of dark hair.

“Abigail,” I whisper. I’d forgotten how much she’d looked like my mother.

Ash nods. “Sebastian couldn’t destroy it, even when he wanted to. Even when he hated her for what she’d done.”

I close the locket, curling my fingers around it. “Thank you.”

Ash steps back, his expression closing off again. “Happy Yule, Rose,” he says curtly, then turns and walks away, disappearing into the dark before I can respond.

The snow falls softly around me as I stand alone in the center of the garden, the locket clutched in my hand. It’s such an unexpected gesture, so unlike the Ash I have come to know.

I slip the chain over my head, feeling the locket settle, a reminder of where I come from, of connections that run deeper than I ever knew, then make my way back to the warmth and light of the three men waiting for me.

Twenty-Seven

Rose

The academy halls are loud as students pour back in after Yule break, comparing holiday stories and shouting about the expensive gifts they got, and family drama. I already miss the peace and quiet.

Drake materializes beside me, so solid now that a passing student actually bumps into his shoulder and mutters an apology, one that I didn’t get when the guy stepped on my foot.

He leans against the wall next to me, our shoulders touching.

I fidget with the locket hanging around my neck, a new habit I’ve developed since Ash gave it to me.

Drake’s eyes follow the movement. “Still wearing it?”

I drop my hand. “It’s the only thing I have from my family’s past. I kind of like feeling connected to them, even if Abigail was, well, you know.”

He knows, but he just nods. “First day back to class. You ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.” I push off the wall. “Soren first thing this morning. Advanced Shielding.”

Drake’s mouth quirks up at one corner. “Try to actually learn something.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” But I know exactly what he means, and the heat rising to my cheeks gives me away.

“Pretty sure you’ll be distracted.” Drake kisses my temple, his lips warm and real. “I’ll see you later?”

“You absolutely will.”

I watch him walk away, still in disbelief at how physical he is now, how present. Every day I expect him to start fading again, but if anything, he seems more solid than ever. Whatever my magic is doing is working. For now, at least.

The classroom is already half-full when I arrive. I slide quickly into a seat, trying to avoid eye contact. Despite everything that’s happened, or maybe because of it, I’m still the odd one out.