Shelby Mahurin

There are some things that can’t be changed with words. Some things have to be seen. They have to be felt.”

There isn’t?”

“No. Not if you know where you’re going.”

“I told you I was found in the garbage. Do you think that was easy to talk about?”

“So why did you?” I tore through a hole in the velvet viciously. “I didn’t force you.”

He tugged my chin up once more, eyes livid. “Because you asked. Because you’re my wife, and if anyone deserves to know the worst parts of me, it’s you.”

“I told you I was found in the garbage. Do you think that was easy to talk about?”

“So why did you?” I tore through a hole in the velvet viciously. “I didn’t force you.”

He tugged my chin up once more, eyes livid. “Because you asked. Because you’re my wife, and if anyone deserves to know the worst parts of me, it’s you.”

Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live!”

C’est cela l’amour, tout donner, tout sacrifier sans espoir de retour.

a wounded animal is a dangerous beast.”

Un malheur ne vient jamais seul.

Misfortune never arrives alone.

—French proverb

When he didn’t answer, her smile grew small and cruel. Triumphant. “The witches are vicious. If they learn you possess the ring, their wrath on your remaining family will be . . . unpleasant.”

“I make it my business to know the business of my enemies, monsieur.” She rose gracefully to her feet, and he stumbled back a half step. “As they are now also your enemies, I must offer a piece of advice: ’tis dangerous to meddle in the affairs of witches. Forget your vengeance. Forget everything you’ve learned about this world of shadows and magic. You are wildly outmatched and woefully inadequate in the face of these women. Death is the kindest of their torments—a gift bestowed only to those who have earned it.