m the confrontation inside. The weight of years of submission had been lifted from her shoulders, but she k

anym

gardens. The scent of blooming roses and damp earth filled her senses, grounding her in t

wasn't

len

amiliar voice, her fin

ct

od a few feet away, his expression unreadable, though

he said, taking a step closer

, her gaze steady. "Di

d. "You're ac

soft, humorles

ee me." He studied her, as if searching for

I d

ession into polite indif

eepened. "I don'

re was no warmth in it

aps. Or maybe something else. He stepped closer, rea

stomach

fatuation. But now, now the very thought of him made bile rise in her throat

ed startled

ck, her voice cold

espond, another voice

em to want your

ne sent an unexpected sh

anding on the man leaning casually

it made the air around them feel heavier. He was dressed s

breath

is

mediately, his enti

ow Victor suddenly held himself with restraint

or did she recognize him, yet so

deliberate. His sharp gaze flicked to Selene fo

," Kael remarked. "Didn't seem li

hed. "This is a pr

"Seemed pretty

ritation flaring. "I don't r

ng in his gaze. "No, you didn't." His lips curled slightly. "But you

ting and intriguing about the way he looked at he

chin. "Actually, I

she turned and walked away, ignoring th

go, a smirk tug

id nothing. Instead, he turned and w

e disappear down the path, somethin

rest

dn't realized she was holding

ost instantly, her bright gr

g else, Selene stepped inside

. "You're ac

moment before sighing. "I

fa, the warmth of the di

out the part about her rebirth-Lyra would never believe such a thing. But she spoke of

I always knew Liliana was a snake," she muttered. "An

"I don't want better.

d. "Now we'

n a long while, Sele

ace was sh

Lyra's home. The streets were quieter n

teady pace, enjoy

somethin

res

owed. Her pu

asn't

iliar voice drifted through

e walking alone at

ne f

leaning against a lamppost like he owned the night itself, w

dim light, locked onto hers with an

llowed. "E

smirk d