Velvet Requiem (Book 3)

The Broken Passage

Layla walks into the office at Lexington & Co., her steps more confident than they've been in weeks. The protective amulet glints subtly around her neck, and the grigri bag is tucked securely beneath her blouse, lending her an almost imperceptible aura of strength. Her jewelry—a mix of protective charms from Madame Zaire—adds a mysterious edge to her style, catching a few curious glances as she moves through the familiar space.

Poma spots her from across the room and makes her way over, a bright smile breaking across her face. "Hey, witchy woman," she teases, giving Layla a quick hug. "That new drip got you glowing, girl. Whatever spell you cast, keep it."

Layla laughs, a genuine sound she hasn't heard from herself in a while. "You know it, P. Got some new energy to shake things up."

They settle in at their desks, screens lighting up as they dive into the day's work. Fall marketing posts for the company's new line need attention, and the buzz has been electric. Layla types out a few captions, leaning into the cozy, alluring vibe of the collection, while Poma edits short video clips.

"Yo, the engagement on those last vids is crazy," Poma says, her eyes lighting up as she checks the analytics on their favorite social app, Clixx. "People can't get enough of this line. We're trending, Lay."

Layla nods, a hint of pride breaking through her focus. "Told you this one was gonna hit different. Folks love that mix of classy and bold."

Their work moves swiftly, the two of them a well-oiled machine. Amid the creative flow, Layla sneaks a glance at her phone and quickly types out a message to Kyren:

"Meet me at Madame Zaire's shop. 5:30 PM. Don't be late."

She sends it and turns her attention back to Poma, who's reviewing their newest draft. "You good?" Poma asks, catching the flicker of distraction in Layla's eyes.

"Yeah, I'm good," Layla replies, forcing a smile. "Just... tying up loose ends."

Poma gives her a knowing look but lets it slide. "Alright, witchy vibes and all, let's get these last edits done. We've got the whole world waiting."

They dive back into their work, but Layla's mind is already halfway to 5:30, where another world—and more answers—awaits.

After wrapping up her workday at Lexington & Co., Layla grabs her bag and heads out, slipping into her Range Rover with a mix of nerves and determination. She weaves through the late-afternoon traffic, her thoughts racing as she heads toward the west side of Nashville where Madame Zaire's shop is nestled. As she pulls into the gravel lot, her eyes catch the unmistakable sight of Kyren's black sedan parked out front. A familiar tension settles in her chest—his car is here, but there's no sign of him inside. Layla takes a deep breath, steadies herself, and steps out, ready to face whatever awaited her inside.

The air inside feels heavier than usual, the familiar scent of incense tinged with something sharper, almost metallic. Layla notices immediately that something is off. Madame Zaire, who usually greets her with a knowing smile or a comment about "feeling her energy" before she even crosses the threshold, is absent. The shop's dim light flickers, casting shadows that dance unsettlingly against the walls.

Kyren is already seated in one of the low, creaking chairs, his posture tense, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. He looks up when she enters, the lines on his face etched deeper than before.

Layla stops in her tracks, folding her arms. "Kyren, I wanted you here so we could figure this out together. I didn't expect you to start anything without me."

Kyren's eyes meet hers, a mixture of frustration and something that almost resembles regret. "I didn't start anything, Lay. I'm just here... waiting."

Before Layla can respond, the faint sound of footsteps draws their attention. Madame Zaire emerges from the back, her movements slow, as if the weight of the world has settled on her shoulders. Her usually vibrant energy is dimmed, her eyes tired but sharp. She approaches with deliberate steps, her gaze darting between Layla and Kyren.