Page 5 of Queens

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say. “I haven’t been.”

“Don’t lie to me, Cassia.”

“I’m not.”

Silas rises and walks toward me, his fluid movements making him look every bit the threat he is. I know down to my bones that he’d never hurt me, but my blood still boils in response to his proximity.

I don’t have control of my wrath. I know myself well enough to admit that, and the urge to fight slams through me as Silas enters my personal space.

He reaches for me, probably intending to place a hand on my shoulder or something equally as harmless, but he freezes at the last second. A long beat of silence stretches before he steps away and tilts his head back, subtly exposing his neck.

My hands stop shaking.

“Have you been seeing that therapist Gray found for you?” His voice is too quiet. Too filled with concern.

I shrug. I go when I feel I need to, which isn’t as frequently as my parents would like. Apparently, Gray spent a lot of time researching the best help for me, but I didn’t ask for that and I honestly don’t want it. I don’t need help. I’m managing just fine on my own.

“I go every few weeks,” I admit.

“Good.” Silas clears his throat, his gaze returning to my bag. “What’s in there?”

“Nothing.”

“What are you up to, Cassia?”

“Nothing.”

He wants to push. Silas always wants to push, but he and Mom are the only ones who know when to stop. Aziel and Gray can’t detect the line, and they’ll push and push until I lose control.

Valeria pops her head into the office. “Dad?”

Her gaze flickers between Silas and me before settling on Silas. He doesn’t look away from me, not for one moment. He’s going to push.Fuck.

Valeria continues. “I need your help with something.”

I gulp, praying he lets this go. It’s not as if I haven’t gotten caught sneaking into Aziel’s office before. I’ve gotten caught sneaking intoallthe offices in this house—but it’s usually for small, stupid things that earn me an annoyed sigh and a smack on the back of the head. I’m praying that’s all Silas thinks this is.

They can’t know of my plans to kill Mammon.

Valeria huffs. “It’s a fated matter.”

Silas visibly hesitates, teetering between questioning me and helping Valeria. A long beat of silence stretches before he finally turns away. He’s letting this go, and I do my best to hide my relief as he follows Valeria out of the room. She shoots me a wink before leaving, the subtle action reminding me why she’s my favorite sibling.

Well,Luca’smy favorite sibling, but that’s only because he’s dead and never had the opportunity to anger me as Valeria and David have. I should visit his gravestone before leaving for Greed. It very well may be the last time I ever see it. There’s a possibility I’ll never return, that Mammon will see through my façade and murder me before I have the chance to kill her.

She might recognize me. My parents have worked hard to keep my siblings and me out of the public eye, but I’m sure the occasional image or description of us has slipped into the wrong hands.

I wait until I’m confident Valeria and Silas are gone before slipping the files back into Aziel’s desk. They were useless, offering me no helpful or valuable information. I shouldn’t be surprised, and I make sure to place the file exactly as it was before.

Everybody is just beginning to meander into the dining room when I finish, and I force my expression into a mask of calm and cool indifference as I join them. Mom is closest to me, and I immediately pull her into a tight hug.

“Morning,” I say, kissing her cheek.

She’s still in her ungodly-pink cotton pajamas, and she reeks of Silas and Gray. The scent isn’t too heavy, thank the fucking Lord, but it’s enough that I know they slept beside one another last night.

“My children together in one place,” Mom teases, returning my hug. “What have I done to deserve such a treat?”

I should probably feel guilty that we’re only here to cover up my temporary theft, but I don’t. She’ll be thanking me when I return with Mammon’s head.