Chapter 2 Chapter 2

The trunk's lid creaks open, revealing the bond-breaking pact .

My fingers trace the edges of the contract as I murmur, "This pup, like the last, isn't meant for my path."​

Silas halts at the threshold. "Why send Moon's perch away? Buying a new-"​

"Moon's gone too," I interrupt, my voice as frigid as the winter wind that rattles the windows. "Robert and I head to Favalon. His parents will foster Moon-his mother adores familiars."​

His eyes flare with a sudden, wild grief.

Months ago, he'd groveled at my feet, pleading with tear-streaked cheeks to send Moon away for Bella's so-called "allergies."

I'd given him an ultimatum then: "Keep the familiar or keep me."​

"Truly?" he whispers.​

"Yes."​

Then, a blood-curdling scream pierces the silence.​

Bella bursts from the guest room, her bare feet slamming against the floorboards.

She careens into Silas, then crashes into me.

"Silas!The black familiar- its's here!"

She thrusts out her arm, two deep, parallel gashes oozing thick, dark blood-this time, no doubt about the authentipack of the wound.​

Silas' jaw clenches so tightly I can hear his teeth grinding.

"Clara Ashford, you lied!"​

A sharp pain stabs at my chest, but I steel mysel. I know all too well that he'll always choose the pitiful sister over his own mate. "Do you never wonder if Bella clawed herself in a nightmare?"

He seizes Bella's arm, his fingers digging into her skin as he inspects the gashes.

"This is real! You said the familiar cat was gone-you're targeting her on purpose!"​

With a flick of my wrist, I yank out my comm-sigil, as I open the pet transport feed.

"Watch the live sigil-Moon's in a transport. His claws can't reach here. Who really wounded Bella?"​

Bella freezes, her lip trembling like a leaf in the wind.

"Silas,I must've dreamed. Maybe a stray entered. Forgive me, Clara-"​

"Stop."

"You think to leave me blamed without proof?"

I point to the ceiling corner, where a surveillance sigil glows with an otherworldly light.

"Check the feed. See the truth."​

Bella's face turns ashen, the color draining from her skin.

Silas gapes at me, his eyes wide with shock.

"You installed this? Do you suspect-"​

I let out a cold, mocking laugh.

"This south room was your idea for a pup's room. You added the wallpaper, toys, the sigil."​

He whirls on Amy, his fury palpable.

"This was to be a pup's room! Who moved Bella in?"​

"Madam ordered the dismantling this morning," Amy whispers, her voice barely audible.​

Silas rounds on me, his eyes blazing with anger. "Clara, what game is this?"​

I shrug nonchalantly, masking the turmoil inside.

" Question me, or seek the truth.Better check out who hurt your sister Bella" I turn to leave.​

"Clara Ashford!" His shout echoes through the hallway as he grabs my arm, his eyes widening in horror at the sight of blood soaking my leggings. "What's happened?!"​

I glance down, feeling the searing burn of the herbs coursing through my veins.

"It's my cycle." I duck into the wash-room, desperate to escape his probing gaze.​

He stares after me, confusion etched on his face.

Then, realization dawns, and his eyes widen in horror.

"You're bleeding-" In a flash, he sweeps me into his arms, his voice filled with panic.

"To the healer's!"