Page 55 of Twisted Truths

“Youhave a responsibility,” Gabriel shoots back. “I don’t know why you’re so upset. You didn’t have to force me to take a Chosen this time. What’s the problem now?”

Seraphina’s lips curl into a calculated smile. She’s almost vibrating with restrained fury.

“The problem, dear,” she says, her voice like silk drawn tight over barbed wire, “is you seem determined to repeat history. We both know howthatended.” Her gaze flicks to me. “Let’s hope your new Chosen doesn’t meet the same fate as the last.”

My breath catches at the threat.

Wrapped in civility, dipped in concern, I hear it for what it is.

By the tension thrumming through Gabriel’s body, so does he.

“Speaking of my last Chosen,” he says smoothly, almost lazily, as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. “I’m sure you’ll be thrilled to hear that Hadley and I will take over the care of my son, seeing as he’s the outcome of my last attempt at legacy.”

The silence that follows his statement is deafening.

Seraphina’s eyes flick from Gabriel, then linger on me. Sharp. Assessing. It’s a silent game of chess, and I’ve been moved into a dangerous position.

“I see,” she finally says, her tone unreadable. “Well, that’s going to be impossible, seeing as Franklin is a child of the Circle and the two of you are no longer welcome here.”

Gabriel snorts a derisive sound. “You’re not serious.”

“I’ve never been more so.” Seraphina’s words are measured. “You’ve both defied our customs and disrespected our sacred rituals with this farce. The Sunfire Circle demands loyalty, which neither of you has shown in your actions.”

I flinch at the dig. Until two weeks ago, I had heeded her warning to stay away from her son.

Gabriel releases me and takes a step forward, his jaw tight. “You’re really going to cast out your own son?”

“We do what is best for the Circle,” she says, her tone absolute. “Even when it costs us.”

He turns to his father, a flicker of desperation crossing his face. “You’re going to let this happen?”

Guardian Solomon simply shrugs, the motion infuriatingly casual for the situation. “You know how these things go. It’s been decided.”

Seraphina decided.

He is not the most powerful voice in the Circle.

She is.

Terror claws up my spine.

They’re really doing this.

We’re out.

With that truth comes the crushing weight of everything we’re about to lose. Shelter. The protection of Gabriel being a guardian. Franklin. Our chance at finding out what really happened to Zara.

My mind races with a million questions, all tangled in fear. Where will we go? How will we keep Franklin safe now? If someone at the Circle was behind Zara’s murder, and the rest of her family, what’s stopping them from coming after us next?

I glance at Gabriel, who’s still glaring at his mother like he’s trying to burn a hole through her with sheer will.

Seraphina doesn’t falter. In her mind, we’re pieces no longer on the board.

Expendable.

Gabriel inhales sharply through his nose, then turns to me with a clenched jaw. “Come on,” he mutters, grabbing my hand.

I follow him out on unsteady legs.