Page 79 of The Devil's Canvas

Liora, silent until now, lifts her gaze to me. "Because that’s how fate works. When a Weaver dies, their gift does not vanish—it transfers. And when you made your deal, the Loom did not disappear."

She lets the words settle before delivering the final blow.

"You gave it to Melanie."

The room stills.

Owen barks out a sharp, humorless laugh. "Yeah. And here’s the problem—Melanie only cares about herself."

I exhale slowly.

My laugh is quiet. Cold. Dangerous.

"So I put the Weaver’s gift—the hands of fate—" I shake my head, a smirk curling at the edge of my mouth. "In a self-indulgent, power-hungry narcissist."

Theron lets out a slow breath. "That actually explains why everything’s gone to shit."

Selene, usually the last to be rattled, runs a hand through her hair, looking up at the ceiling like she’s asking the universe for patience.

"Holy fuck. No wonder the Loom is unraveling."

I take another breath, pushing down the urge to rip Cassius apart limb by limb.

Because this?

This isn’t just a mistake.

This is a fucking catastrophe.

Chapter Fourteen

Ophelia

JulianandIhadan incredible night. I notice the mark is changing—becoming more solidified, the gold burning brighter.

I press my palm to it, and it starts pulsing.

I miss him. I never thought this would happen to me. I’ve always been someone who enjoys solitude, someone whoneedsit. But now, for the first time, I don’t want to be alone.

I want to be with someone. Withhim.Not because of a stupid mark. Because of who he is.

He said I could reach out—just think of him and speak.

Ophelia:Julian?

Crickets. Nothing. A big fat zero. I try again, because I’m not a quitter.

Ophelia:Julian?

It’s like a black cloud rolls in, and when I reach for him, I slam straight into a mental brick wall. Is this asshole telepathically ghosting me? Rude. Guess even soulmates come with call screening. What a dick move.

Seriously,fucked up.

I’m done. Why do I keep trying? What if I’m the only one feeling this while he’s perfectly fine? My chest tightens. I can’t breathe right. Maybe he doesn’t care like I do. Maybe I’m just...alonein this. Wanting him. Needing him. And he’s slipping away.

I don’t know how to stop it. I don’t even know who I am anymore.

I think of him one last time. Take a shuddering breath and close my eyes.

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