Page 34 of Unkindness of Crimson Ravens

Roxanne’s empty eyes did not leave the fire’s flames as she moved to sit upright. Without sparing me a glance—as though I was not even there—she let out an exhausted sigh. Perhaps I was lucky she paid me no attention. I did not wish to be in the middle of whatever forced Roxanne into such distress.

Was this about the mysterious meeting she and Francis had attended earlier? Why would they need to meet with the Barrens of all people? I had to know what the subject of these discussions was without anyone withholding the information from me.

Perhaps Roxanne would’ve been a perfect candidate to tell me all I needed to know; we only properly met this morning, she wouldn't have been aware of how little I knew of the situation with the Barrens.

I had the perfect chance at succeeding if I played my role well.

Chapter 13

Protege

Gathering myself, I prepared for the likely unpleasant conversation.Just say the words, Cordelia.I chided myself, annoyed at my own uncertainty.

“I see the meeting didn't go as planned?” I asked her, ensuring I kept my voice steady. I could not show her I cared about her answer. I definitely could not show her I had no idea what was going on.

“Huh,” she snorted, noticing me for the first time. “Didn’t go as plannedis an understatement,” Roxanne’s soft accent swept through the room as she rolled her eyes.

Her answer did not give me much to work with. I had to do better than this.Think, Cordelia, think.

They’d met the Barrens, just like they'd met someone in my garden. What had they talked about then? My memory failed me at my attempt to recall the events that took place months ago.

A meeting with a noble can only mean one thing.The sudden realization hit me right before I gave up on my weak attempts at this manipulation.

They’d tried to come to some kind of agreement, bargained perhaps. If the meeting hadn’t gone well, the Barrens must have refused whatever was offered.

“Barrens are foolish people. Nothing will ever change their minds. Their own selfishness will be the death of them,” I said, praying I reached the right conclusion.

“Foolish, indeed,” Roxanne said slowly, turning to meet my gaze. Her brows frowned, as though seeing me for the first time. Her gaze sent a shiver of cold through me. Had I already given myself away? “They will never believe us, thanks to your mother.” Roxanne glared at me.

“My mother?” I failed to hold my tongue from asking. What did Mother have to do with the meeting? Had she been there as well?

“What?” Roxanne laughed at me. “Did you think the information about the Wurdulacs’ attacks was public? Not everyone is a royal daughter with access to such knowledge.”

Wurdulacs’ attack?My breathing quickened at the reminder of the vampires that took my brother and father from me. Were they attacking humans again? What about our treaty? How many people had already suffered from their invasion?

Mother knew.

She knew and did nothing to prevent it.

Suddenly everything finally fell into place. All the rejections from joining the council meetings despite being allowed before. All the secrecy in her study. The Vanishing List.

“You had no idea, did you?” Roxanne narrowed her eyes on me.

“Of course I did,” I replied defensively, trying to hold my mask of indifference.