Book 1 & Book2

<p>The morning fog rolled over the Thames like a half-forgotten</p><p>secret curling through the streets of London with a damp chill</p><p>that clung to my designer coat. I tugged it tighter around my</p><p>shoulders the cashmere brushing my wrists with deliberate</p><p>softness a small luxury against the city's sharp edges. From my</p><p>vantage atop the terrace café in Kensington the city shimmered</p><p>in muted golds and silvers as if it were holding its breath for</p><p>something it hadn't yet named.</p><p>I sipped the last of my lavender latte feeling the warmth bloom</p><p>through my fingers into my chest. Everything smelled of rain</p><p>and polished stone of espresso and leather. I watched a delivery</p><p>man dodge puddles with the agility of someone who had long</p><p>ago learned to anticipate London's moods. Life had always</p><p>felt like a delicate choreography here a series of decisions and</p><p>glances that if made right kept you floating just above the</p><p>chaos. I liked it that way. I liked control.</p><p><br> </p>