Page 27 (1/2)

Instead of a wizened crone, I’m met with a formidable woman made of steel and shadow Like Sonya, she has coffee-colored skin and black hair, though hers is shot with streaks of white Despite her age, her brown eyes spark with life

"Lady Mareena, this is randmother, Lady Ara, the head of House Iral" Sonya explains with a pointed saze is worse than any cah me "Perhaps you know her as the Panther?"

"The Panther? I don’t--"

But Sonya keeps talking, enjoying watching ence agents becareatest of the in front of a spy

I force myself to smile, if only to try and hide my fear Sweat breaks out on my palms and I hope I don’t have to shake any hands "A pleasure to meet you, my lady"

Ara simply nods "I knew your father, Mareena And yourthe words to placate her

But the Panther looks perplexed, tipping her head to the side For a second, I can see thousands of secrets, hard-won in the shadows of war, reflecting in her eyes "You re at my lie

My voice catches, but I have to keep talking, keep lying "I don’t, but Iparents" Mom and Dad flash inI should think about "I wish they were here to help ain Her suspicion makes me want to leap off the balcony "Your father had blue eyes, as did your mother"

And my eyes are brown "I am different in many ways, e to say, hoping that explanation will be enough

For once, the queen’s voice isover the crowd It’s enough to pull me away from Ara, Sonya, and the quiet Elane, to a seat where I can breathe a little sigh to ain I addressed everyone properly and only spoke as h for both of us, regaling the wo love" for Cal and the honor she felt at being chosen I thought the Queenstrial girls would band together and kill her, but they didn’t, to randh they didn’t push their interrogation any further But they certainly will

When Maven appears around the corner, I’m so proud of my survival at lunch that I’ely relieved, and let a bit ofstrides

"Still alive?" he asks Compared to the Irals, he’s like a friendly puppy

I can’t help but smile "You should send Lady Iral back to the Lakelanders She’ll h "She’s a battle-ax that one Can’t seeer Did she question you at all?"

"More like interrogate I think she’s angry I beat out her granddaughter"

Fear flickers in his eyes and I understand it If the Panther is sniffing around my trail"She shouldn’t bother you like that," he mutters "I’ll let my mother know, and she’ll take care of it"

As much as I don’t want his help, I don’t see any other way around it A woman like Ara could easily find the cracks in my story, and then I’ll be truly finished "Thanks, that would--that would be very helpful"