Lilja would’ve positively caught to her brothers if that occurred. Chilly washed over me simply imagining how Callum would’ve damage her if she’d been unfortunate sufficient to satisfy me again then.

Perhaps that was the one motive she didn’t need to damage me just like the others. Her coronary heart was nonetheless unscathed by betrayal and the necessity for revenge.

Yakim and Leon got here in final to affix their siblings.

The cake and the new chocolate sauce have been able to go as nicely.

“That appears wonderful!” Lilja gasped as I carried the meals to the desk. “I’m positive I can have your complete bowl of this sauce.”

“Have a style first,” I stated, feeling nervous.

Lilja stood up and grabbed the knife. Glee settled into her eyes as she lower out a big chunk of the cake.

“Go away some for the remainder of us,” Mikhail muttered, nonetheless trying disgruntled.

I hurried away to get the espresso and settled down with them for a chew.

“That is so scrumptious!” Lilja crooned, closing her eyes. “It’s so arduous to discover a good chocolate cake. This one hits the spot excellent.”

“The key is to splurge on all of the chocolate you’ve acquired mendacity round,” I stated with a chuckle.

“I don’t like sweets however this one’s good,” stated Leon with a critical face. “There’s a touch of bitterness that I’m liking.”

“I like my sweets,” stated Mikhail, sprucing off his piece shortly and grabbing one other one.

I appeared towards Yakim, ready for his verdict.

He glanced at me, a forkful of cake hovering at his lips. “It’s okay,” he stated shortly.

“Simply okay?” Leon requested, nudging him together with his elbow.

“It tastes like residence,” stated Yakim, staring proper at me.

My coronary heart pounded in my chest. Was he telling me he remembered the style of my chocolate cake from all these years in the past?

“Now that we’re right here, let’s discuss concerning the upcoming gala,” Lilja spoke after some time.

“Not once more,” Yakim muttered.

“Ignoring it gained’t make it go away, dude,” stated Leon, wrapping his arm lazily round Yakim’s chair’s backrest. “You’ve acquired to gear up as a result of we have to make an announcement this yr.”

“What are you guys speaking about?” I requested curiously. “Does ‘gala’ have the identical that means right here as within the outdoors world?”

“Yep,” stated Lilja. “There’ll be robes, jewels and fats, outdated males in tuxes.”

“Right here?” I requested, shocked. Volkov Manor was too grim a spot to host a celebration.

Mikhail chuckled. “Is itthatsurprising that we throw balls and events right here?”

“Type of,” I stated actually.

“This gala occurs as soon as each 5 years,” stated Lilja. “It’s the one alternative for outsiders to step into our residence. You don’t have any thought the lengths some individuals go to get our invitations.”

“Why?” I requested, questioning why anybody would need to come to this chilly, desolate manor in the midst of nowhere.

“Why?” Mikhail echoed. “Don’t you perceive who we’re but, Princess? We’re assassins. Probably the most highly effective males need us as buddies and allies so that they don’t find yourself being our prey. We’re supplied a daft amount of money to cease us from accepting a job for his or her heads.”

“That is our first time as hosts,” Leon stated in a critical tone. “Our dads took care of all the things earlier than. It’s our flip to handle this household’s affairs now.”

Supply: www.seynovel.com