THE PUPPET MASTER SMILE.

ELDRIC'S POINT OF VIEW. I stared at the huge Ravenscroft crest on the wall in my study, created with pure gold, and the family’s signature jewels; black opal, and alexandrite, the damn thing stared back at me, reminding me of my status each time I glanced at it. I hate the damn thing. The lion on it, the name, everything about this place makes my blood boil. I clutched the ice pack in my hands harder, placing it on my cheeks. That bastard packed a punch, I’ll give him that. I swirled the whiskey in my glass, watching as the amber liquid caught the light, and stretched my lips in a slow, thin smile that never touched my eyes. The crest didn’t belong to Lucien. It didn’t belong to Alicia. And it sure as hell didn’t belong to her parents, those pompous bastards who looked down their noses at me. No, it belonged to me. Me. Eldric Hayes. Ravenscroft. I clenched my jaw at the sound of the name in my head. It should be my name that quakes fear, and admiration in the minds; and hearts of every