MACE

The room felt too small all of a sudden.

Too tight.

Too close.

I looked at Cassandra, searching her face for even a hint of doubt—some sign that she might take it back, soften it, tell me she was wrong.

She didn’t.

Then I looked at Jaynayah.

She stood there like the ground had shifted beneath her feet and she was still trying to find her balance. Small. Too small for the weight Cassandra had just dropped on her shoulders. Her hands were clenched at her sides, knuckles pale, eyes bright with fear she was trying—and failing—to hide.

A growl stirred low in my chest.

“I don’t like this,”...