Chapter 1

One Year Later

Veronica POV

“It’s time,” Ginny whispered as she brushed past me.

I stood upright, my heart pounding in my chest. I counted five slow seconds before dropping the tools I was holding. My hands were shaking, but I ignored them and slipped out of my post, weaving through trees and workers.

After months of planning, swallowing my rage until it burned my throat, I was finally going to get my revenge. I was going to take out the Grey brothers, both of them, even if it cost me my life.

I glanced at my work watch. Four minutes before the next shift of guards took over. Perfect. I quickened my pace and ducked into the shed, my heart beating so hard it echoed in my ears.

Inside, I changed into the guard’s uniform Ginny had stolen. The uniform hung loosely over my body. Just the right fit to hide my skinny bones. I tucked my fiery red curls beneath the hat and caught my reflection in the cracked mirror. 

A smile touched my lips. Ginny outdid herself. She was the best partner anyone could ask for and the only person I trusted.

A faint sound outside jolted me out of my musing. I yanked the hat lower over my eyes and crept to the door, cracking it open just enough to peek out. From the corner of my eye, I spotted a guard leaning against the shed.

Goddess.

I checked my watch again– two minutes early. 

Suppressing a groan, I looked around for another exit. None. Only the door in front of me. Out of options, I drew in a sharp breath and stepped out, forcing my legs into a casual stride.

“Hey!” he called as I walked past him.  I froze. “Staying past your shift again, Mikey? Found something you like this time?”

I forced a short nod, keeping my face turned away. The footsteps stopped. 

“Good for you, man! Hope she cares better down there than she does in general! Those women are pigs, don’t know what you see in them!”

I let out a faint chuckle, gave a thumbs up and resumed walking, not waiting around to find out more. I broke into a light jog as soon as I rounded the corner, taking the servants' route to the manor.

Last night, I stayed up memorising every hallway, every door of the manor. How Ginny had gotten hold of the floor plan was a mystery to me. But so was she. She had walked up to me on my first day on the field and stuck beside me like glue ever since.

When I told her about my pain and desire, she didn’t flinch. Instead, she mapped out a plan. Found someone to teach me to fight, to wield a blade like an extension of my arm. Then, she tracked down, one by one, the men who had killed Dever. And I snuffed out their lives just like they did his.

But this– this was the final piece of the puzzle. 

I patted the uniform, smiling as I slipped into the manor, unnoticed. I headed straight to the brothers' private quarters on the third floor– no guards and only a handful of wall scones lit the endless hallway.

My smile vanished. The hallways had identical doors lining both sides. And the floor plan hadn’t accounted for it.

How many rooms did two monsters need? And which one hid their sins?

I reached for the nearest door, throwing caution to the wind. It opened into a lit, warm, well-furnished lounge. I scanned the room quickly. Empty. I shut it softly and moved to the next. Another lounge, same setting. Empty.

Weird.

The fifth door produced the same result, and I leaned against it, shutting my eyes for a second. I needed a plan. This wasn’t going to cut it. 

My eyes snapped open as voices floated down the hallway. I gave a silent thanks and trailed the voices, stopping at the last door to my left. I lingered by it, taking my time. I need to be certain.

I reached for my dagger strapped around my ankle. Ginny had insisted on it, instead of a gun.

“Nothing is working,” a calm voice spoke, halting my movement. “We are running at a loss and are out of time. There will be no more compensation until you’ve fulfilled your end of the deal.”

A man.

“I held up my end of the deal,” another voice shot back.

I froze. That voice– It was a man’s voice too, clear as day, but it scratched the back of my head like a claw.

“Not to the end,” the first man spoke, drawling out his words. “You promised me a cure, not a burden in a dress.”

“Patience, Klaus,” the familiar voice said again, lower this time. “You’ll get what you paid for. But patience is something my pack cannot afford to have.” 

I straightened, frowning at the door. 

Klaus. That was the name of one of the Grey brothers.

But that other voice— why did it sound so familiar? I knew no one associated with these monsters. 

I pressed my ear against the door, determined to satisfy the itch at the back of my head.

“You know how hard the seasons have been for me,” the familiar voice spoke again, and I stared hard at my white knuckles, gripping the door handle. It couldn’t be. I’d seen him die. How could–

Something cold grabbed the back of my head, and slammed it into the door. I stumbled forward, falling headfirst as the doors gave way. Pain shot across my forehead.

“Guess who I found eavesdropping?” a new voice spoke from behind me. “A very dedicated guard. Had to invite him to the party.”

The conversation died around me, and I could feel eyes burning into my back. Wincing, I pulled myself on all fours.

“What’s this about?” the familiar voice snapped. It was unmistakable. “I thought this was a private meeting, Klaus. What is he doing here?”

How was this possible?

Gritting my teeth against the pain, I raised my head, searching for the man speaking. A shadow fell over my eyes, blocking my view.

“This is my house.” The person blocking my view growled. “I go where I like." 

He grabbed my jaw, forcing my face upward until I was staring into a pair of molten gold eyes. My stomach dropped. 

Grey brother. Their eyes were as infamous as their reputation.

The man smirked, flicking my hat off with his thumb. “My, my. Who would have guessed?”

He stepped aside, and my eyes latched on the nearest person, sprawled out on a couch. He was the carbon copy of the man standing over me, except for the colour of his eyes: one gold, one blue.

“I see,” the one with mismatched eyes muttered, his gaze flicking briefly to me before moving past.

I followed his line of sight, trying hard to push down the dread that was starting to gather at the back of my throat.

A whimper escaped my lips as my gaze rested on the man who was now halfway out of his seat. A man I had presumed dead.