The grand grandfather clock in the corner of the ballroom gave its first heavy, iron strike.
BONG.
The sound rolled across the polished dark floor like a wave of thunder, cutting through the smooth melody of the string instruments. The glittering light from the crystal chandeliers seemed to dim, casting long, ugly shadows across the faces of the dancing Vampires and Lycans. To everyone else, it was just the arrival of midnight—the official hour for the signing of the peace treaty. But to me, it was the sound of the fuse being lit.
Julian slowly brought our final dance to a stop right in the center of the floor. His massive hand remained wrapped tightly around my waist, his thumb rubbing a comforting circle against the silk of my dress. He looked down at me, his amber eyes shining with a
