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Started reading
October 9, 2025
In the case of the Valory, there were two conflicting accounts. One said the Valory was a treasure chest that held the Valors’ greatest magical gifts. The other claimed the Valory was an enchanted prison that locked away all manner of magic beings, including an abomination that the Valors had created.
To her surprise, he had left without a fight or a word. But she knew he would be back. He wasn’t done with her yet, though she was done with him.
Evangeline had never been afraid of the dark before. Dark was for stars and dreams and the magic that took place in between days.
He moved as if the night should have been afraid of him.
The stories said his kiss was deadly to all except his one true love, and as he’d searched for her, he’d left a trail of corpses.
“Children treat their toys better than you’ve treated me.”
He’d been infected with vampire venom, and she’d been infected with stupidity.
“You must find them,” the old librarian repeated. “One for luck. One for truth. One for mirth. One for youth. But you must be careful. The stones are powerful, deceptive things. And the translation—”
“Glad to know you’re thinking about me when you kiss your husband.” Heat flushed her cheeks. “I’m not thinking nice things.” “Even better.”
Evangeline tried not to panic again, but her nerves were fraying at the edges. If she were a book, she would have felt as if her pages were slowly being torn free of the spine. She was bruised, she was bleeding, her husband was cursed, now she seemed to be cursed. And Jacks was still holding her hand.
“I hurt everyone, Little Fox. But you have to be alive to hate me.” His eyes iced over. “I do not want you dead, and I’ll kill anyone who tries.”
“So thoughtful,” the taller maid said dreamily. “I like him already,” the short maid agreed. I want to punch him, Evangeline thought.
Once, she might have run to him. Once, she might have wept for him. Now, she wanted to throw things at him. Sharp, hurtful things.
my kind of girl
He had always been a little entitled. It was a minor flaw she’d ignored in the past, but suddenly, it didn’t seem so harmless.
He smelled of apples and cruelty, but Evangeline was shaking too hard to push Jacks away as he led her out of the dark solarium.
Evangeline hastened her pace, hoping to lose him in the shadows of the darkened garden. But Jacks didn’t stop following her, and she had a feeling he never would.
He took another slow step. “You’re a little scary right now, did you know that?” She glared at him. “That was a compliment, Little Fox.” He reached toward her and brushed a lock of hair behind her ear with one featherlight touch.
