Page 413 of Coal Hearts

Sapphire Scars

The Jewelry Box Series

Book Three

by

New York Times Bestseller

Pepper Winters

Prologue

...............................

Henri

THE CURSE OF BLOOD & DARKNESS

by

Henri Mercer

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I THINK THERE COMES A POINT in everyone’s life when you wake up.

You wake to the truth of who you are, what you’re doing, and who you’re meant to be.

Some people wake and realise they’re on the right path already.

Others wake and come face to face with all their mistakes.

Near-death experiences can cause such an awakening.

Reaching rock bottom can slap you into seeing.

Sickness and burnout, terror and tragedy—they’re all feared but can grant such freedom if you submit.

Pity I didn’t submit.

Pity I wasn’t ready.

Because when my awakening happened...

I broke.

Chapter One

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Ily

“THIS WAY!” PETER HOBBLE-RAN beside me, dripping with pain and grunting with every stride. “I know a shortcut to Neverland!” He chuckled, but it came out more like a sob.

Every jewel spurred onward, so used to obeying Peter when he was sober and smart, not questioning his judgement now he was high and hurting.

The way we ran as a group reminded me of track at high school. How we’d always start as a group and slowly thin out the more distance we covered.