"She left this for you."
Vera held out an envelope. Old. Sealed with red wax.
Celeste stared at it. Her hands wouldn’t move.
"When?"
"Three months ago. Before she disappeared."
Vera pressed it into her hands. "She said to give it to you when you learned the truth."
Celeste looked at the envelope. Her mother’s handwriting.
Damien stood behind her. Silent.
She broke the seal and pulled out two pages. Her hands shook as she read.
My dearest Celeste,
If you’re reading this, you know the truth. About Marcus. About the pact. About what you really are.
I’m sorry. Sorry I couldn’t tell you. Sorry I had to leave. Sorry for all the pain.
But I’m not sorry for saving you. I’d do it again.
Celeste’s throat tightened.
Ivan and Vera told you about the ceremony. The blood pact.
What they d
