Marla's face hardened. "You're pushing your luck."
Nerida let out a soft laugh. "I know why you are here. You want to whisk him away to Lara. Where is the pretty Moonguard anyway."
"She is safe," Marla said folding her arms.
She leaned forward. "So you know where she is."
"I didn't say that."
Nerida's smile widened. "You didn't have to."
Marla stiffened, realizing too late she'd given something away.
Nerida slid off the window sill and walked toward her with slow, deliberate steps. "You witches are terrible liars." She circled Marla once, lightly brushing her shoulder with a finger. "If Lara is safe, then she is far from this castle. Far from the queen. Far from… danger."
Marla stayed silent.
Nerida's voice dropped lower, softer. "Which means you trust someone else to protect her. Someone outside these walls."
Marla narrowed her eyes. "Stay out of my way."
"Go," she said, flicking her hand toward the door. "You're wasting my air."
