Page 107 of Death Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Not even Lucinda.

But her eyes promised the argument was not over. Only postponed.

And as Hunter started assigning tasks, I realized something with a sinking clarity.

Lucinda did not only want me to fail.

She wanted me isolated when I did.

CHAPTER 16

Aurora Briggins walked into the council chambers like she owned the marble.

Not in the arrogant way Lucinda owned rooms, with politics and posture and that polished smile she used like a blade. Aurora owned space the way a predator did, with quiet confidence and an easy scan of exits.

She looked younger than her age, like she had stolen time. Her blond hair was pulled back, her black cargo pants meant business, and a neon pink shirt that didn’t compliment the room.

Faith’s face lit up with the kind of grin she saved for sparring. “Welcome to the shit show.”

Aurora laughed, a real laugh that bounced off the marble and made the room feel less like a tomb. “I had a feeling.”

Lucinda’s head snapped toward her. Her eyes narrowed as if Aurora’s very existence offended her sensibilities. “What are you doing here?”

Aurora lifted her brows. “Good evening to you too.”

Lucinda ignored that. Her gaze cut to Hunter. “This is council business.”

Hunter didn’t move, but the air around him shifted anyway, that subtle alpha pressure that reminded everyone he didn’t need to shout to be heard. Reed was silent beside him.

“I called her,” Hunter said.

Lucinda’s lips pressed into a thin line. “You called a private investigator.”

“I called help,” Hunter replied. Then his tone changed, still calm, but edged. “And before you start assigning blame like you’re handing out party favors, remember whose land we are standing on.”

A ripple moved through the room. A few heads turned. Elijah studied the ceiling as if it suddenly had fascinating architecture.

Lucinda’s jaw tightened. She looked like she wanted to argue. She also looked like she knew arguing would go poorly.

Her silence was not acceptance. It was strategy.

Faith smiled brighter at that.

Aurora’s gaze swept the room and landed on me.

“Salima,” Aurora said, voice friendly but direct. “You look like you slept in a blender.”

“I had a busy night,” I told her.

That was an understatement. The bond with the egg tugged at my insides, steady and draining, as if the baby was gently reminding me that my body was not an infinite resource. Every time I thought about leaning too hard on my magic, I felt that pull.

Aurora nodded toward the long table. “Do we have any leads on the relic?”

Faith made a noise that could have meant yes or theories and bad feelings.

Hunter gestured for us to focus. “Aurora, you’re here because we need your eyes and instincts. We need the relic found. The calling has escalated again.”

Aurora’s expression sobered. “All right. What do we know?”