Margaret stared at her, first in confusion, then in disbelief, then with a kind of pained anger.
“I don’t know what kind of story you think you’re telling me,” she said, her voice low and controlled, “but if you expect me to sit here and listen to nonsense...”
“I know how it sounds,” Estelle said. “I know it’s hard to believe without proof.”
This isn’t enough,her dragon warned.Words won’t carry this.
I know.
Margaret pushed back from the table. “I think we’re done here.”
“Wait.” Estelle leaned forward. “Please. I know you can’t believe me like this. That’s why I came alone. Because I can prove it to you.”
Margaret stopped with one hand on her purse.
She’s torn,her dragon said.She wants to leave, but she can’t.
“Prove it. How?” Margaret asked.
“I need you to trust me,” Estelle said. “But I can’t prove it to you here. I need you to come with me.”
Margaret stared at her for a long moment. “Why should I go anywhere with you?”
“Because you love Adara,” Estelle said simply. “And because, despite everything, I still believe you want what’s best for her.”
Margaret’s jaw tensed, and she swallowed hard. “I do. I always have.”
“There’s a nature preserve about ten minutes from here,” Estelle said. “We can go somewhere quiet.”
“And then what?”
“You’ll see.” Estelle could barely breathe as she waited for Margaret to answer.
Margaret was silent so long that Estelle thought she would refuse. Then she picked up her purse. “I’ll follow in my own car,” she said.
We’re really doing this,her dragon said.
Yes,Estelle thought.Because running hasn’t worked. Because Adara deserves better than a life spent looking over her shoulder.
The drive to the nature preserve was short but felt longer. Estelle checked her rearview mirror more than once, half expecting to see Margaret turn around. But the sleek black sedan stayed behind her all the way to the small parking lot at the trailhead.
They walked in silence after that, following a narrow path through pines and aspens. Estelle led them away from the main trail and up toward a small clearing she had spotted on the map earlier.
“Far enough,” Margaret said at last, stopping near the edge of the trees. She folded her arms across herself. “Now show me your proof.”
Estelle pushed out her senses, making sure they were truly alone. They were.
“What I’m about to show you,” she said carefully, “will change what you think you know about Maris. About all of it.”
Margaret’s mouth tightened. “Then show me.”
Estelle’s dragon stirred, tense and ready.Last chance to change your mind.
I know.
Estelle took one step back, putting distance between them. “I’m not going to hurt you,” she said. “But you are going to be frightened.”
Margaret said nothing.
