“You take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, as long as you both shall live?”

Raven smiled. “I do.”

“Do you take—”

“I do.”

She smiled wider.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

I hit the button in my pocket.

The bells started to ring.

They were just overhead, so they were loud.

Powerful.

Echoing.

Raven’s entire expression changed when she heard that sound. Eyes watered, her face scrunched together, and she cupped her mouth as the tears spilled over. She completely lost it, succumbing to her tears.

Magnus cupped her face and kissed her. “Ma petite amie…”

The bells continued to toll. Rose petals were thrown into the air. Melanie and I clapped. The harpist continued the beautiful music even though it was barely audible over the bells.

Lost as they were in each other, everything else faded away.

Except the sound of the bells.

Ring. Ring. Ring.

Epilogue

The only sound was the wind.

It howled in bursts before it turned quiet once again.

The winter air was so cold that every window was frosted in the corners. A broken door creaked as it swung on its hinges. Snow was piled high between the cabins. Untouched by humanity, white powder was everywhere.

Boots crunched against the snow.

Vapor emerged from his nostrils.

Eyes bluer than the sky took in the sight.

A slow smile stretched across his lips. It turned into a full grin.

Every tooth visible.

Maniacal joy. Reckless excitement. Insanity.

He looked over his shoulder to the men behind him. Then he raised his arms in the air and turned in a circle, his boots kicking the snow aside. He dropped his arms and marched in the lead, heading to the abandoned opening between the cabins. “Here it lies.”

Also by Penelope Sky

New York Times bestselling author Penelope Sky pens another dark and suspenseful masterpiece.

Fender and Magnus have moved on from the camp. But someone else has moved in.

The Cult.

I see his wicked smile in the theatre. I see it in the apartment across from mine.

I see it everywhere.

Before I can run, I'm taken.

And when I wake up...I'm in the middle of nowhere.

The man who's taken me claims to be a demon.

And claims I'm his angel.

What happens when he finds out I don't have wings?

I'm not the only prisoner in this forest. There's a little girl too. Her name is Claire. She's beautiful, happy, wonderful. It's my responsibility to protect her--and I will give my life to accomplish that.

She says her father will save us both.

She says he's powerful, formidable, that he'll burn this entire forest to get to her.

I hope she's right.

*** Claire is unharmed throughout this story. There is no violence against children of any kind. ***

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