“All of this started because of your sister.” She mumbled under her breath and looked as though she suddenly understood something. Turning, she moved towards the door.
“What are you doing?”
Calm eyes found mine. Despite the chaos surrounding her, she suddenly seemed strong. Her footing somewhat regained. “Going to ask where Iona is.”
My brows pulled together. “But you already have. They won’t tell you.”
“They will this time. For Edda has seen it.” She swung open the door and marched into the room.
The hum of conversation died at once, and all turned to her.
“I want to know where Iona is,” Ariana stated.
One of the servants snorted. “This again. Listen, you want to rub the old man’s feet, knock yourself out. But we are not getting involved with your mess.”
Her jaw clenched. “Is everyone here so afraid?”
“If you were smart, you would fear too.”
“Are you truly ready for this?” Gorm cut in with a question directed at Ariana, searching her face for something.
“Ready for what?” She looked at him with surprise.
He nodded as though she answered, though she never did. “I will take responsibility for whatever comes next.” He announced to the room.
“There’s going to be serious blowback for this.” Another man snapped.
“Ariana and I are prepared for that, aren’t we?” Gorm asked her and she responded with a nod.
“What kind of blowback?” I asked.
“The kind you don’t want.” The first man muttered and leaned back in his bed.
I didn’t have time to ask anything else before Gorm answered Ariana. “You will find Iona at the House of the Velvet Wildfire.”
25
ARIANA
Istood before a small building with a wooden sign hanging above that readHouse of the Velvet Wildfirepainted in red letters. My hand hesitated by the doorknob while I took a moment to collect my wits before entering.
Erik opposed my going alone to the place Gorm said I would find Iona. Yet he did not fight me as hard as I expected, stepping back and allowing me to ultimately decide. Understanding that I couldn’t protect him, couldn’t protect anyone if things went poorly. However, I had Clause’s promise of never killing me as a shield, which offered a small bit of comfort.
With a slow exhale, I pushed the door open, entering a small, dimly lit room. A bell on the door chimed, alerting whoever to my presence.
On inhale, I drew in the scent of sex and musk that was poorly covered by vanilla-scented candles. My stomach turned at the smell. Disgust coated my insides, before bubbling out of my pores and likely only adding to the stench.
A woman entered the small space from behind a beaded partition drape. Her movements were far too graceful for such an establishment. She had her blond hair pulled back into a sleek ponytail. Blue cold eyes met with mine and sharp teeth peeked through as she smiled viciously. Her icy gaze moved over me. There was something almost familiar to the sharp features of her face.
“I think you are lost, little lamb,” she said to me.
There were no chains on her wrists. No discomfort written on her face. Nothing that portrayed a person forced to be in such an enterprise.
“Iona?” I asked, a gut instinct telling me it was her. The Lysian before me was the correct age and certainly looked beautiful enough to fit in flawlessly with a royal family.
The smile dropped from her face. “Who are you?”
“My name is Ariana. I am the Bavadrin Leader Superior.”
