He had no choice. He steered to the left, easing his struggling car towards the biker. The biker veered off and suddenly pulled away in a deafening ro...r with the acceleration that only a massive V-twin motorcycle can manage. The bike was gone. John was left shaking with fear and rage. He barely noticed the bike brake for the big row of stoplights at the bottom, to take a hard right turn onto a side street. John went straight through when the lights changed and made his way home.Later that day. My parents thought I was sufficiently mature to emancipate me when I was only 16—at Amelia’s age, actually. And I was 17 when I was Denise’s guardian. Aunt Janet, why did you begin to protest?”“Well, Kevin, I’m not questioning your maturity or commitment. You have your own life plus a demanding academic program this year,” she pointed out.“Good points; I won’t debate them because it would appear that I’m downplaying their importance. And those are definitely significant considerations. But. A sigh escaped him and he leaned back in the swing.“Yeah. I thought that dealing with the former rat king would give me a break, but between whatever Emily was doing and Cecilia being gone, I just can’t seem to relax. I feel like something is about to happen, and I’m worried it’s going to happen when I go in that wardrobe. I’m also worried about that emerald. If it was so powerful, why did she just give it to the rats?” He looked at her. “Oh, right. Ratu learned that the emerald can apparently. "Lady Cousland," Anora murmured. "Thank you for joining me." Your Majesty. It is my honour. Please, call me Sierra. Lady Cousland is how I think of my mother."I kept my head down, avoiding eye contact, instead glancing around the room. Anora's room was larger than the one I theoretically shared with Solona, even bigger than Alistair's. Somewhere she'd found two small tables and some chairs, and there was tea set up at both – a fancy set at one table, which also boasted a silk tablecloth with a.