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My grin was as sharp as my claws as they pierced through his chest. I ripped the blackened heart from him. It beat rapidly within my grasp as the darkness slowly funneled itself into me.

The pain of so many women rushed through me, flooding my mind with the memories of their abuse and neglect. My grip tightened around the man’s heart as the last of the darkness funneled through me until nothing remained but ash in my hands.

A single luminous tear slowly trailed down my cheek, a release of not just my hurt, but theirs as well. Shed for every woman whose life he’d stolen.

The man’s body slumped against the brick wall, hidden behind the dumpster and shadows of the alleyway.

Right where you belong. Trash.

Flexing my hand, my claws retracted, fading back to the delicate tan skin. The invigorating sense of fullness washed over me, and my well of power radiated.

Smoothing my dress, I stepped over his body and made my way out of the alleyway, heading toward the main dock. As I approached the marina and stepped onto the dock, my heart hammered in my chest.

Preston’s yacht loomed ahead of me, massive and gleaming white in the distance. It was more obscene and pretentious than I’d remembered. A wave of nausea washed over me.

Fuck. I think I'm going to be sick.

Seeing the yacht, the same yacht where it had all ended—or really, where it had begun—was more jarring than I expected.

Steady, my queen, Layne reassured me. You’ve come too far to falter now.

I sighed and slowly nodded as I pressed my eyes shut, quieting the roaring thoughts in my mind.

I’d been preparing myself for this moment since my final breath. All the nights of struggling through the hunger’s control, not understanding how to use my newfound magic, and the never-ending loneliness—all of it had shaped me for this moment.

I can do this, I told myself.

My feet moved on autopilot towards the yacht, heels clacking against the wooden planks. The sunset was low, dappling the surface of the Sound in golden fire.

Up ahead, the crowd was gathered near the gangway, about to head onto the yacht. Everyone was well-dressed, laughing amongst themselves, as if they were the only people in the world. The kind of people who thought the world existed only for their own entertainment. Dad would have scoffed at this entire thing.

Ducking behind a shipment container, I slowly peered from around the corner. My stomach knotted, and my face heated with anger. The huge gilded lettering had been seared into my mind, resurfacing the memories of that night. I’d caught glimpses of it as I’d hit the water, just before sinking below the surface.

Willows’ Way.

I almost spat as I shook my head.

No more nerves. Preston’s time was up, and I wouldn't allow him to shake me—not anymore.

I’m coming for you.

I waited until everyone boarded before slowly approaching the gangway. If I were forced to use my golden song, I wanted to do it as discreetly as possible. It had taken me a long time to get to this moment, so I had to be careful and patient.

One of the crewmen was slowly pulling the gangway up as I reached it.

“Excuse me!” I called out, still not used to my glamoured voice. “Sorry, I’m late. Do you mind?”

The crew member’s head peered down from the deck, a guy around my age. He lowered the walkway and made his way down, clipboard in hand.

I flashed him an alluring smile that reached my eyes.

“Your name, ma’am?” he asked.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary, will it?” I laughed, just as anyone with privilege would.

The deckhand held out his arm as I made a move forward. “Uh, sorry. This is exclusive to invite-only. I’ll need your name, please.”

With a lilting chuckle, I slipped my magic into my voice, melodic and convincing. “I’m on the list. You’ll let me up now.”