FORBIDDEN THRONE: Stepfather's Claim

e

uld turn upside down in one night

ew scattered students hurrying to their dorms. I should've called a ride,

mist

Before I could scream, strong hands grabbed me and dragged me

.

ne had taken a hammer to it. When I tried to m

hen pani

part? Someone had stripped me down to just my under

ally awake," a

fancy tables where men in expensive suits sat drinking and watching me. But something was wrong wit

screamed, my

me just smiled. "Let's start t

is was an auction. And I

sand!" some

nty-f

ndred t

bones. The way they moved, those eyes, th

lp me!" I screamed, tear

lver eyes leaned to his friend and said, "I l

wer. My life as I knew it was ending. I'd becom

" shouted a man with a

y!" calle

ccept when a deep voice cut t

to

ilent. Every head turned toward the back

se her

such power that the auctioneer's fa

releas

arp features and midnight black hair. But his eyes – silver like quicksilver – held something

ns while a third brought me a blanket. The crow

looking at me. "Make sure she does

hat, he turned

never spoke a word. They dropped me off at my apartment building with a warning

my head as I stumbled into my a

.

at happened – who would believe me? Men with glowing e

urst into my room, practica

e grabbed my hands. "I've met someone. Someon

her words. "What? Who? You ha

me is Kieran. He's incredibly wealthy, owns land up

ttled in my stoma

l about you. He's sending

? Mom, this is crazy. Y

kept talking about the palace we'd

the airport, I had no choice but to go with her. I couldn'

te airstrip surrounded by pine forests and mountains. More black cars waited to drive us alo

e?" I whispered as we

tedly. "Isn't i

anicured grounds to the front entrance,

man said to my mother. "Mr. Volk

ngs, artwork, antiques that belonged in museums. But I barely n

ction. The one they

essed in a tailored black suit. Those silve

er's hand. "Welcome." His voice was the same comman

flickered across his face – r

t be your dau

"Yes! Lena, this

is was the man who'd saved me, and

t you properly," he said, h

d my nightmare wasn't ove