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“Euralys,” Medenia hissed.

The Tetrian warrior ignored her, her finger only digging deeper into Graeson’s chest. Ellie’s deep black eyes sliced through him as if she believed that she could force out an explanation by looking at him.

When Graeson had left Kalisandre, he had ducked back into the grand hall to find the others. Without an explanation, he ordered them to leave. At the command, Ellie and Medenia had exchanged silent glances.

“Not here,” Graeson had said at the time. He would only admit his failure once and would not do it in this castle where prying ears could overhear.

Without further questioning, the four of them hurried out of the grand hall, Emmett tossing back the remains of the wine into his mouth as they weaved between the guests.

On the way back, guards patrolled the streets leading to the guest house, so they walked in silence. Their confusion and anger guiding them. Graeson knew it was only a matter of time before the questions came, and he dreaded the conversation they were bound to have. He didn’t want to be told he was wrong or foolish for believing it would be easy to convince Kalisandre of the truth. He already knew he was an idiot. He didn’t need someone else to remind him.

Graeson shoved Ellie’s hand off his shoulders, saying, “She’snotmy girlfriend.”

Across from them, Armen leaned against the back of the couch, ankles crossed as he watched with a smug look. Graeson contemplated smacking it right off Armen’s pretty little face, for Kalisandre had wound him so much that the tension in his body was too tight. He needed some release, and punching Armen might do the trick.

“What’s going on?” Terin asked, rubbing his temple.

Graeson bit down, pain spiking through his jaw.

Ellie groaned, her features reddening. “I don’t care what she is to you. What I do care about, however, is that your behavior endangers Medenia. If I cannot trust you, Graeson, we’re out. We’re done.”

“My behaviors?” Graeson shouted, pointing a finger at himself.

“What happened?”

Graeson barely looked at Dani, for he could only handle one angry woman right now.

“Yes,” Ellie said. Her hands sat on her hips, the tips of her ears red and stark against her white hair. “Do not play dumb with me, Mr. I-Can-Do-What-I-Want-Because-I-Think-I’m-A-Big-Shot.”

With a huff, Graeson rubbed his chest in the spot where Ellie’s long, pointed black nail had nearly pierced him, and for a split second, he wondered if she had drawn blood.

“What.Happened,” Dani repeated, this time with more bite filling each word.

Graeson scoffed, “No one was ever in danger.”

“Really?” Ellie tipped her chin up, cocking a brow. “Are you sure about that?”

“Yes,” he hissed. “She doesn’t know any of you are involved.”

“Graeson, what did you—”

Terin’s words were cut off when Sylvia interrupted, asking, “Kalisandre recognized you, didn’t she?”

Graeson opened his mouth but snapped it shut only a second later, the lie unable to come out.

“Did they just say—” Moris began.

Dani cut him off with a sigh, saying, “Graeson, you didn’t.”

Graeson rubbed his jaw, the muscles growing sore from clenching it for so long. He looked at the others as they all stared at him, waiting for an answer.

His gaze fell upon the men resting against the front door. This wasn’t his fault. At least, not entirely.

With a laissez-faire expression, Emmett stood with his hands in his pockets and his head against the door.

Graeson’s lip curled. “She wouldn’t have recognized me if Emmett hadn’t failed at his job.”

Emmett’s eyes sprung open.