~ Seraphina ~
The silver spoon felt heavy in my hand, a useless weight as I pushed a piece of over-poached egg around my plate. Across the mahogany expanse of the dining table, Adrian was the picture of corporate vitality. He was dressed for a board meeting—crisp white cuffs, a tie the color of dried blood, and an expression that was unsettlingly light.
"I had a fascinating chat with Julian Vane yesterday," Adrian said, his voice casual, almost cheerful. He took a slow sip of his black coffee, watching me over the rim of the cup. "You remember Julian? High-stakes litigation. The best in the city when things get… messy."
My heart did a slow, painful roll in my chest. I kept my eyes on my plate. "I remember the name."
"He’s agreed to take us on as a client. Just as a precaution, of cours
