Many whispered that Lenora Hawthorne was nothing more than an unassuming girl-a shadow among the ambitious and cunning. But those who truly knew her understood the truth: Lenora was no innocent. She had forged her path in darkness, her allegiance bo...
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THE AIR REEKED OF DEATH AND DECAY. The cold stone walls of the chamber pressed in around me, trapping me in a nightmare I couldn't wake from.
And there, at the center of it all, was my brother.
Lance knelt on the floor, his wrists bound with thick, enchanted chains. His breathing was heavy, his green eyes wild with terror as he looked at me.
A slow, venomous voice slithered through the silence.
"Ah... so here she is."
The Dark Lord himself stepped forward, his skeletal fingers curling around his wand. "Lenora Hawthorne."
Every muscle in my body screamed for me to run. To grab Lance and bolt. But I knew better.
I forced myself to stand still.
"Lenora—don't do anything he asks!" Lance's voice cracked with desperation.
Voldemort barely acknowledged him before flicking his wrist.
"Crucio."
Lance's screams ripped through me like a dagger. He convulsed, his body writhing under the curse, and panic sank its teeth into my chest.
I clenched my jaw, my nails biting into my palms so hard they nearly drew blood.
"Did I permit you to speak, boy?" Voldemort's voice was silk over steel. He lifted the curse with lazy indifference, watching as my brother slumped to the ground, panting.
I didn't react. Didn't cry.
Not yet.
Voldemort turned his gaze back to me, his red eyes gleaming. "I require a favor, Miss Hawthorne."
Favor. That word churned like acid in my stomach.
With a nod, he motioned for one of his Death Eaters to remove Lance.
"No!" My voice broke before I could stop it. I surged forward, but two masked figures caught my arms, yanking me back.
Lance was dragged toward the doors, his eyes pleading. "Lenora!"
I couldn't do anything.
I could only watch.
The doors slammed shut, sealing him away.
"Now," Voldemort mused, stepping closer, "as I was saying... I'm not really asking. Either you comply, or your brother dies."
My breath shook, but I forced my voice to stay even.
"What do you want from me?"
His thin lips curved. "Loyalty."
I already knew what he meant. I wasn't naïve. I wasn't stupid.
