Forty Two

"They all have a chance. The competition was a joint project between us, and every son‟s strengths were taken into consideration. But only the strongest, the most cunning, the ones who want it most will prevail to the end. Only one will win. And in our diabolical need to make the prize as seductive as we could, we have entrusted too much to the winner. You haven‟t read the contract. The winner will have power beyond all of us if used properly. The other fathers can believe their spawn will win, but mark my words, Deville will be standing in front of the contract in the end. And he‟ll sign."

Her heart seemed to beat in every part of her body—her ears, her legs, her stomach.

"Sarah doesn‟t want to marry him. It would be disastrous for both of them."

"Disastrous? Power, undeniable power, and wealth? A new title?"

"Sarah—"