Riley was preparing for the Northern Coalition meeting when the message arrived.
A bloodstained envelope. Sealed with Blake's broken sigil.
"Don't open it," Grayson warned.
But Riley already was.
Inside—a photograph. Madison. Bound. Gagged. Terror in her eyes.
And a letter in Blake's handwriting.
*I still have power, daughter. Your friend will die on New Year's Eve unless you surrender yourself to me. Come alone. Unarmed. Or watch another innocent die for your revolution. - Blake*
Riley's hands shook. "He has Madison."
"That's impossible." Scarlett grabbed the photo. "Blake is locked up. He can't—"
"He escaped." Noah burst in. "I just got word. During the night. We don't know how."
Riley's blood went cold. "Madison. He has Madison."
"It's a trap," Grayson said immediately. "He w
