Seraphina's Point Of View
Lydia's chest rose sharply, uneven, blood trailing from the corner of her mouth down to her collar. She stared at me like she was trying to reconcile two different people in one body.
Her voice came out hoarse.
"What did you just say?"
There was no venom in it this time. No bite. Just disbelief. Like she needed to hear it again to make sense of what was happening.
I didn't hesitate.
My fingers twisted back into her hair and I dragged her head up until her neck strained and her eyes were forced level with mine. She winced, hands gripping my wrist, but I held her there. Close enough that she could see exactly what I meant.
"You heard me, Lydia," I said.
My voice was steady. Not loud. Not hysterical. That calm tone made her breathing grow faster.
"Your parents are nothing compared to my mom."
Her pupils trembled.
