Doon From City Of Ember Novels & Stories

There was even a substantial reward offered for information leading to her safe return. "Fuck," Luca muttered, running a hand through his hair. "This complicates things." Sofia felt a hysterical laugh bubble up in her throat. "Complicates things? Luca, my father just turned the entire city into a hunting ground. We're screwed." Luca's hand found hers, giving it a reassuring squeeze. The warmth of his touch sent a shiver down her spine, momentarily distracting her from the panic threatening to overwhelm her. "We're not screwed," he said, his voice low and intense. "We just need to adapt. Change the game."

Ember’s POV: “Meet Damon. He is our…business partner.” He then looked at the man who was still assessing with his dark stare, “Damon, meet my daughter, Ember Valdez.” My eyes widened and my head jerked toward the stairs. Damon. I remembered the name. Father had a very secretive phone call with him during my engagement party. He was the one who assured Father that the welcome gift had been delivered to the North. Now, all of a sudden, I seemed very much interested in this mysterious man who was somehow linked to the North. I didn’t miss my Father intentionally not mentioning his last name and I very much noticed the pause he took before lying about being his business partner.

I thought out loud. "Or we'll be leaving soon," Matteo suggested. Matteo would do anything so as not to make this meeting hold. He had expressed his displeasure since the beginning of this whole meeting and I didn't blame him "Just used G****e Maps, one of his houses is close by. Why the fuck did he choose to build a house in this secluded part?" He was asking when we noticed a car firing away in our direction, the car lights blinding Matteo who shielded his eyes from becoming damaged.

The ember tunnels beneath Emberhold were not built for the living. They wound beneath the city in patterns even the oldest maps failed to chart, tunnels carved by flame, reshaped by generations of unseen hands. There were no names carved above the arches, no markers or shrines, no songs sung to comfort the roots or drive away the darkness. Only echoes clung to the walls. Sometimes, if you listened with the right kind of fear, they whispered of choices made in secret, of a bloodline twisted not by ambition, but by memory and the desperate hope to protect what should never have been left behind.

It was a video, grainy, like it had been recorded in haste. Ember stared into the lens. Her face was bruised, but her eyes burned bright. “My name is Ember. I was created by Ash Phoenix as his final weapon. But I am not him. I don’t want war. I don’t want destruction. I want truth. I want family.” She paused. “Alma Sterling if you’re watching this, I need your help.” Ezra exchanged a look with Alma. “This could be bait.” Roman agreed. “Or a trap.”

I whispered into Damien’s ear, just loud enough for only him to hear: “We’re unstoppable now.” He turned, eyes molten with love, and kissed me again…..slow, deep, claiming me not as a possession, but as an equal. As queen to his king in an empire we no longer inherited, but chose. Outside the glass walls, the city burned with light. And we stood…..reborn. As Damien and Elena stand at the top of their new empire, a message arrives. One word. Encrypted. “Ember.” It’s a codename Elena remembers from a childhood secret …….a person thought long dead…

"Don't let her fall asleep. Hypothermia is setting in." They wrapped me in rough wool. The friction was agony. I was a bundle of broken nerves. He didn't take me to my room. My old life was over. We moved through a hidden door in the paneling. A passage I never knew existed. Dust filled my lungs. I choked. We descended in a service elevator. It groaned in protest. Down, down, into the earth. An unmarked van waited in an underground garage. Its engine was a low growl in the gloom.

The black flag was embroidered with a golden Holbeck eagle and roses, a symbol of the family's honor. Holding my hand, Fabrizio led me to the altar. He picked up the microphone and declared loudly, "Today, I'm announcing to everyone that the true Donna of the Medicis, Liliana Medici, has officially returned." Thunderous applause filled the chapel and refused to fade. I took the microphone and swept my gaze across the crowd, my voice steady and firm.

I absolutely refused to make myself small for any man. I went back to the bedroom and started packing up my things. Even though we had been married for several years, I had pathetically little to my name. As the Donna, I was expected to lead by example. Thus, while the family was expanding, lavish spending was out of the question. In just a few minutes, I had packed everything up. Looking at the master bedroom, which was almost unchanged, I felt as if a lifetime had passed. I'd poured all of my heart and soul into Marco and the family, but all I got in return was his betrayal and indifference.