Estrella

My heart thunders against my ribcage. My pulse roars. Mother, Castor, Tess—all gone. And with the wedding in an hour, I cannot yet mind-link to Anwen. I am alone.

With the man who murdered my father.

An oil-slick smile splits Floyd’s face as he circles me. The dagger in his hand shines. I lift my chin, and fear burns into rage. Floyd does not check his work when he’s confident. I merely need to buy myself enough time to identify what he’s missed.

“You pretended to be our ally,” I say.

“Not true.” He shakes his head slowly. “I would’ve been your ally. Once you realized the Solberg snake...