Grace Goodwin

Her next words chilled me to the bone.
“If I were you, I’d put the gun down.”
“And why is that?” The man’s voice was deep and calm. Arrogant.
He would die.
“So my mate doesn’t kill you.”

She stood still, shocked for a heartbeat of time that was an agony for me. I needed her, needed to touch her, kiss her, feel her alive and well in my arms

Mommy?”
“What baby?”
“Is he my new daddy?”
Lindsey’s smile was so full of love when she looked at her son I felt tears gather in my eyes. By the gods, what I wouldn’t give to see her look at me like that, with complete and total unconditional love. “Yes. Is that okay?”
The small man l

Welcome to the family, Kiel.” She wiped at her cheeks and lifted her eyes to me. “I hope you know, wherever you take my daughter, I’ll be going, too.”

were wet, and I realized I’d actually been crying. Now they fell for a different reason. Loss. I was bereft. Empty. Back to my cold, calm center that so far, nothing had breached. Nothing but him

in junior high like my stupid friends. I didn’t cheat on tests or lie to my mother. I was boring and sad and pathetic and so lonely

without knocking.
“Do you have the birthmark, too?”
I heard the question as I walked behind Warden Egara into the room, one hand on the back of my testing gown to keep my butt from being exposed. The small space was an actual conference room with a table and chairs. Two women were huddled

two women, recognized

exactly? Is there a wedding ceremony

together to talk, to help you feel more