Chapter 18
"Marcus, get up to my study right now!" Charlotte demanded, her voice cracking with rare panic.
"I'm already outside your door, Charlotte," Marcus replied through the speaker, his tone unusually solemn.
The heavy oak door of the study opened slowly, and Marcus walked into the room.
He was not carrying his tablet or his security radio; instead, he held a sleek black velvet box in his hands.
Charlotte looked at her trusted cousin, noticing for the first time a small silver raven pin pinned to his lapel.
The exact same emblem stamped on the red wax seal of the black envelope.
Charlotte took a step back, her back pressing against the cold glass of the window.
"Marcus... what is that pin?" Charlotte asked, her voice dropping to a terrifying whisper.
Marcus set the velvet box on her mahogany desk, looking at her with a mixture of sadness and profound respect.
"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you the truth earlier, Charlotte," Marcus said softly.
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"My job was never just to protect you from Evelyn and Julian."
"My job was to prepare you for tonight."
