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Her steps caer in Mr Booth’s place

The gentleance He was tall and attractive-looking, albeit in a rather piratical sort of way, and with piercing gray eyes

“Lady Rhapsody, is it not?” The stranger’s voice was gentle but strangely icy at the sa properly introduced, but your guardian, Sir Isaac Booth, says this was a ent matter”

Rhapsody was still wary Mr Booth’s guardianship wasn’t exactly a secret, so this could be a ain her trust

“Your guardian ca for me” He took a letter out of her coat pocket and handed it to her

She glanced down and recognized her guardian’s seal Her fingers shook as she broke the seal open, and they shook even harder as she read the first line

Dear Rhapsody,

It is with ret that I write this, and because I know you are not for drivel that is only ht to the point I received a letter sore He wishes me to find you another heartkeeper—-

She quickly refolded the letter, unable to bear reading the rest I aht, but so up at the stranger, she said carefully, “The letter speaks of another heartkeeper”

“And that would be me”

Her heart leapt as soon as the words were uttered, but she couldn’t even tell whether it was because it hurt or shocked her to hear the words It was just…odd, the way she suddenly seemed unable to decide what to even think, much less feel, about the matter

“Your guardian had in his possession a vial with a drop of your blood,” the gentleh to confirm the most essential facts”

“How reer sht have been ed to explain “I a only at that moment she had yet to learn how to address him Was he a plain mister, a sir, or a lord?

“I apologize,” the stranger said right away, apparently sensing her predicament “I am William Domnescu—-”

“The Earl of Inized the name He was a half-demon from an ancient line of lions and one with vast properties in both Lunare and Brimstone

The earl’s gray eyes glinted “You know me then?”

“Only what I’ve read froe” Rhapsody hesitated “However, there is also another matter…”

“The Marquis of Sangre?”

She was about to nod when she noticed the way the earl’s features had suddenly turned stoic

“You know souessed

“I know only of what your guardian told me,” William said finally