Zane~
I stood there, rooted to the polished obsidian floor of my father's private chamber, as his voice punctured through the thick tension in the room.
"Don't look so shaken, Zane," he said, folding his arms behind his back, his tone maddeningly calm. "I wouldn't have her killed. She's Katrina's daughter. There's too much history there. But I'll make sure she never sees you again."
My mouth parted. I felt the floor tip sideways beneath me.
"What?" I croaked, but it wasn't a question. It was disbelief. Shock. Fury.
"She'll live," he added with a dismissive wave of his hand, like we were discussing some far-off inconvenience. "But she'll be far away. Hidden. Removed. Whatever it takes."
"You—" My voice broke. I cleared my throat and tried again. "Call them back. Whoever you sent. Call them back now!"
He blinked at me, slowly… and then laughed. A full, unbothered laugh that scraped every nerve in my body.
"The deed's already done, boy. You can't save her now."
