“Oh, but this does concern me. It concerns all of us.” Serena palms the table. “Kylian Triori has control of the portal. He wants to conquer the kingdoms. He will do whatever it takes to get his way. Even if it means destroying this world in the process.”
“Ah, but you”—Margot leans in—“will prevent that.”
“I intend to kill him before it comes to that.”
“No. You will not. You will try, but when the moment comes, you will falter.”
The color leeches from Serena’s face. She shoves back, her chair screeching against the floorboards.
“You are wasting my time.”
“So blind,” Margot tuts, shaking her head.
“What are you talking about?”
Her gaze lands on me. “Your friends should go. You may not want them to hear what I’m about to tell you. It’s quite…personal.” She torques a perfectly arched brow.
My fists clench. I have no intention of leaving. I know what a trigger Serena’s mother is for her. And it’s obvious this female is just as cold and calculated. So I don’t feel bad for scowling at the face that has caused her insurmountable suffering.
“It’s okay.” Serena pinches the bridge of her nose. “I’ll meet you downstairs.”
“I’m not leaving you,” I bite.
“Run along, shifter.” Margot lifts a hand toshoome, then breaks into a laugh. “What—you really think I’d harm my owndaughter?”
Serena twists in her seat, peering up at me with pleading eyes. “Zadyn, please. Let me hear what she has to say.”
Fine. But I’m not going far.
Fine.
I turn sharply, towing a shell-shocked Marideth from the room with me.
My foot tapsa steady beat against the wood panels in the hall. “She’s been in there a while.”
Mar slides her gray eyes to me.
“I’m going to check on her?—”
Long, slender fingers wrap around my arm. “Don’t. She needs to do this alone.”
I know Mar is right, but I’m concerned.
Since Margot wasn’t exactly shy about spilling Serena’s secrets, I had to explain everything to Marideth while we waited. I told her all about Serena’s past and the people here that resemble the ones she knew—Sorscha, Jace, Derek, and now her mother, I guess. She was shocked, to say the least, but she swore to keep it between us. Knowing how much Serena trusts her, I’m not worried.
“And don’t you dare eavesdrop,” she hisses.
I hold up two hands in surrender. “I’m not.”
I’m actively doing my best not to listen through the walls. But it’s not easy. I finally breathe again when the door opens, and Serena steps into the hall.
“Hey.” Her eyes look glazed when she looks at me. “Are you alright?”
She nods absently, staring at me with a strange expression on her face. As if she’s seeing me for the first time. “I’m good. Let’s go.”
“What’s wrong? What did she say?”
“Nothing. She was just fucking with me in typical Dianna Avery fashion. Were you listening?”
