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Chapter 1

Isabelle

We have to do so

It has to be you, Izzy

For the good of the family

My sisters’ voices ring in my ears, even hours after our conversation I stand on the curb and stare up at the building before me It looks nearly identical to those around it: a nondescript gray square reaching into the sky as if it has every right to be there It’s not reuably holds the most power Carver City has to offer Neutral space Every territory leader has an open invitation to coo—for a price, of course My eldest sister has been here a few ti

Or I was before my father died

It’s been s toforever My father was supposed to live for decades yet, to pass power to his daughters and retire to do whatever powerfula territory He was fond of saying he’d like to spend his last days surrounded by dogs and grandchildren

It won’t happen now Cancer took hi him back

I have to close ainst the cascade of e into the devil’s den I’enius like Sienna I arew up, the one who values her personal freedom above all else My sisters were always destined to hold positions within our father’s organization I was allowed to find my oay Up until my father’s death, I believed that ould lead me on countless adventures and travel across the world To freedom

That’s no longer an option

The first step is the hardest: to keepto do with, to not turn and run until I’m somewhere far fro me to encase myself in

Inside, the facade of normality continues I step into the elevator and take slow breaths that do nothing to cal heart I don’t know if I can do this It seeh froenerals have left us and areno plans to return It’s i to ensure it happens Simple