Page 89 of The Alien's Vicious Starflash Manor

And as much as I want to take her over my knee to compel her to learn what she needs to know, that will only lead to…

I cut off the thought before I can respond to it.

Distractions.These are all distractions.

Despite my continued attempts to exert control over my power, the temperature in my study drops another ten degrees as I stare at the papers spread across my desk.

Notes and theories about Lara’s power mock me with their uselessness. Nothing I’ve tried has provoked a consistent response.

Goddess damn it, even the attack at the ball produced only a momentary flare of magic—impossible to replicate without risking more lives.

I’m no closer to understanding how to awaken the sisters’ abilities than I was when I first discovered their heritage.

A knock at my door breaks through my brooding.

“Enter,” I call out, not bothering to look up from my notes.

“Lady Uanna has arrived, Your Lordship.” Khrint’s voice carries a carefully neutral tone that makes me lift my head.

I lean back in my chair, ice crystals forming in the air around me as I exhale. “Show her to the blue parlor. I’ll be there shortly.”

Khrint bows and withdraws. I remain seated for a moment, gathering my control. The last thing I need is Uanna sensing any weakness. She’s always been too perceptive for her own good—or mine.

When I enter the parlor, Uanna stands by the window, a vision in white and silver silk. She turns at my approach, and those pale blue eyes assess me with familiar calculation.

“Ivrael.” She moves toward me, one hand extended. “How desperate you must be, to summon me here.”

“Lady Uanna.” I take her fingers in mine and bow over them, brushing my lips across them with only the barest touch before I straighten and step back, maintaining careful distance. “Thank you for coming.”

“Could I refuse?” Her smile curves like a crescent moon, sharp enough to draw blood. “After all, if your plan fails, I’ll be just as dead as you.”

I gesture for her to take a seat, but she remains standing, drifting toward my desk instead. “How thoughtful of you to care.”

She snorts but doesn’t respond directly.

“I heard the most interesting rumor while preparing to travel here.” She trails one finger along the edge of my desk, and I have to resist the urge to freeze it solid beneath her touch. “Something about you consorting with firelords.”

“Rumors can be dangerous.”

“So can firelords.” She spins to face me, all pretense of pleasantry vanishing. “Have you lost your mind? Firelords? They’ll betray you the moment it serves their purposes.”

“The plan requires their cooperation.”

“It requires them to be predictable.” She practically spits the words. “Firelords are never predictable. They’re animals, ruled by instinct and flame.”

I turn back to her, letting my power frost the windowpanes behind me. “They’re necessary.”

“They’re a liability.” She presses her lips together, watching me with those too-perceptive eyes. “But I suppose you’ve left me no choice in this either. Your letter made that quite clear.”

“You always have a choice.” I infuse my voice with power. “You simply don’t like the alternatives.”

She laughs, the sound brittle and sharp. “And what of your little mixed-breed pets? Are they ready for court? Or will they embarrass us all and get us executed that much faster?”

“That’s why I asked you here.” I raise an eyebrow. “To ensure they don’t.”

“Someone has to.” She moves closer. “Your plan is insane enough without adding untrained hybrids to the mix. If they can’t convince the court they belong there, we’re all dead.”

“Then I suggest you focus on preparing them properly.”

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