GRAYSON'S BODY WENT RIGID, every muscle coiling like a predator preparing to strike.
The energy radiating from him intensified, making the air crackle with barely contained violence.
Mailah could feel it against her skin like static electricity, raising goosebumps along her arms.
"Move aside," Grayson said, his voice deadly quiet. "We're leaving."
"Are you?" Carson's perpetual smirk widened, but there was something in his eyes that didn't match his casual tone. "And here I thought you might want to say goodbye before your dramatic exit."
"Carson," Grayson's voice dropped to a growl that made even Mailah's spine stiffen. "Elin told us about the collective. About the meetings. About you being there."
The accusation hung in the air like a blade, and for once, Carson's smile faltered.
Behind him, Lucson and Mason exchanged glances that Mailah couldn't quite decipher.
"Ah," Carson said softly. "That."
