Isolde's POV
I watched Zeke leave the Queen's room, the silver lines under his skin still glowing faintly. Something had changed in him. I'd seen the flicker in his eyes when the basin tipped, revealing the offering page. The Queen hadn't noticed, but I had. I always notice everything.
"He saw it," I whispered once he was gone.
The Queen turned to me, her old eyes narrowing. "No matter. He'll bring Sienna to us, regardless. The blood bond between twins is too powerful to resist."
I nodded, keeping my thoughts hidden behind a wall of practiced apathy. For ages, I'd served the Midnight Syndicate faithfully. I'd wronged the Ruby Wolves, helped hunt them to near extinction. All for a promise the Queen had made me long ago – power beyond measure.
But power comes with knowledge, and lately, I'd learned too much.
"I'll go to the Shadowfang territory," I said. "To ensure everything proceeds as planned."
