Page 12 of Consort of the Crime Queen

"The lion's den? You—you know where she is?"

"There's no other reason I would be here. What concerns me is that you clearly have no idea. How could you be so reckless?"

I lost my mother at quite a young age. Mrs. Graves is the closest thing I've had to that in my life. And right now the look in Sylvia's eyes is making me feel exactly the same as when Mrs. Graves told me off, then left Elysium without another word.

They're disappointed in me, both of them. And it's devastating.

"What do you mean?" I demand, shoving aside my emotions. "Just spit it out, for God's sake."

Sylvia takes a deep breath before saying, "Aurora is currently imprisoned with Don Imperioli. He plans to wed her to Nero in a week's time."

My father? "How do you know?" I rasp out.

"I've seen her with my own eyes. And I managed to head off my husband and Nero's plot for him to marry Aurora on the spot." Sylvia's face grows stern. "So tell me, Hadria. What exactly do you plan to do about it?"

CHAPTER 7

Hadria

After Sylvia leaves, my ears ringing still with her recriminations as well as her revelations, Lyssa hasn't yet returned. I don't need her information now, if she even returns with any—though I know she will. Few can resist the Wolf when she's determined to sniff out intel.

Thanks to Sylvia, I know everything I need to know, but it's still no help. I have no idea what to do about it. I stammered out some assurances to Aurora's mother, but I could tell she didn't believe me, either.

I pace back and forth, wondering what to do next. There is only one thing I can think of, and I hate to do it. It makes me seem weak. Puts me at a disadvantage. But it's the only move I can think of, short of storming my father's house, and I'm not willing to put Aurora into such danger.

Lyssa comes back an hour later, looking triumphant. She bursts into the war room, eager to share the news. "Guess who booked the wedding?"

"Don Imperioli," I say, completely deflating her. "I had a visit from Sylvia Verderosa while you were out. It was never Nero who took Aurora. It was my father."

Lyssa sighs. "So it was a whole waste of time making that priest piss himself. Well—what next? We can hardly burst into the church and steal her back again. They'll be expecting us this time."

I brace my hands on the table, staring down at the sturdy oak wood. "I have already contacted Don Imperioli." Lyssa's eyebrows shoot up, and I go on before she can respond. "My father has extended an invitation to the opera."

The heavy velvet curtain sweeps closed behind me as I step into the privacy of my father's opera box. From the stage sounds the soaring refrains of the singer on stage. I glance around warily, every sense attuned to potential threats. But it's only my father waiting here as stated, ensconced in a high-backed chair with his two hulking bodyguards stationed behind him.

I take the chair that one of them gestures to, and only then does my father acknowledge me. He steeples his fingers, regarding me with predatory focus. "Hadria, my dear daughter. So good of you to accept my invitation."

I incline my head slightly, refusing to relax my defensive poise. "You made it clear it would be unwise to decline."

He chuckles, a low rumble like stones grinding together. "Come now, let's not be so hostile. We have important affairs to discuss."

"If this is about Aurora?—"

He holds up a hand. "Patience. All in good time. Listen to the music. Let it soothe your heart."

I'd rather drive a dagger into his, but he has the upper hand here. The swell of music underscores our strained silence. He's playing with me, forcing me to endure this excruciating moment when my every thought strains toward Aurora's fate.

"How do you find the performance?" he asks mildly. "Her interpretation of Aïda is excellent, wouldn't you agree?"

"The singing is admirable," I reply through gritted teeth. "But we both know you didn't summon me here for a critique of the opera."

"Fine, fine." He sighs regretfully, as if denied a genuine moment of father-daughter bonding. "Let's get to business then, shall we?"

He stands, bracing his hands on the chair to help himself up, and I follow him out of the box and into the quiet hallway outside.

"You've been a very foolish and disrespectful girl, Hadria."

I stiffen. "Because I claimed what is rightfully mine?"

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