LOGINI can hardly believe it. Before my friends can say anything else, I squeal and throw my arms around them both, jumping up and down. Liam and Brian and the twins are the one major thing I’ve missed dearly since leaving Bo’Arrocan, and to find that they’re finally considering living in Ordan full time
“On schedule, believe it or not,” I reply. “The Bo’Arrocan branch is finally running smoothly, and the Ordan location just graduated its first class of seniors. Six of them got full scholarships to prestigious art schools.”“That’s amazing, Iris.” Alice squeezes my arm. “You’ve created something tru
IrisFive Years Later…“Fifty years of marriage, and they still make each other laugh like that,” Arthur says, appearing at my side with two glasses of champagne. He hands me one and clinks his against it, and we watch as my parents twirl on the lawn, my mom throwing her head back at something my fa
“Gee. Thanks,” I manage to laugh weakly. “I’ll see you all next week.”“You most certainly will not,” Arthur, Hunter, and Alice all say in unison, making me roll my eyes.Outside, Arthur’s car is waiting, parked haphazardly half on the curb. He must have driven like a maniac to get here so quickly f
IrisEight months later…“And that’s why the colors on this side of the color wheel are considered ‘cool’ colors,” I explain to the class of children sitting in a semicircle around me. “They remind us of water, ice, and the sky.”I’m demonstrating on a large color wheel chart when a sharp pain rips
And through it all, Augustine’s breathing grows slower, shallower.Then, quietly and calmly, she goes.Her hand turns limp in mine. The steady beeping of the heart monitor flatlines. The doctor steps forward, checks for a pulse, then shakes her head.“Time of death, 10:47 AM,” she says quietly.I br
Iris“So what’s your plan, exactly?” I ask Ezra. “Get Arthur away from Veronica and then what? Lock him in a room until he comes to his senses?”Ezra frowns. “I’m not entirely sure yet. But I’ve been thinking—we need to create a situation where Arthur has no choice but to show up. Something very… pu
The last thing I remember is seeing Iris’s face in my dreams. Her eyes, glowing golden…Where am I?“Iris?” I call out, looking around the unfamiliar room.But it’s not Iris who is lying beside me. It’s Veronica, her blonde hair spread out on the pillow, her delicate lace nightgown stark black again
Arthur“Arthur, darling, what do you think of this one?”I glance up from my lounge chair on the hotel balcony to see Veronica modeling yet another new dress—this one a shimmering red number that hugs her curves in all the right places. She gives a little twirl, the fabric catching the light of the
“And let me guess,” I say, crossing my arms over my chest. “You want me to do something about it.”“Not just me. The people want you to do something,” Ezra explains. “You’re the wronged mate. The abandoned mother. The human orphan turned wealthy werewolf heiress. It’s the perfect storm for you to st







