Page 96 of Dance of Deception

The Raven leans forward slightly. “No one’s trying to piss you off, Hound. We’re just?—”

“Succeeding,” I snarl.

The Raven is silent for a moment before he replies.

“You really believe she doesn’t know anything?”

“Yes,” I say flatly.

“But you can't prove it,” The Wolf grunts.

My head snaps in his direction. “Exactly how would you like me to prove a negative, motherfucker.”

I canfeelhis eyes narrowing behind his mask.

“Watch your fucking tone,” he grunts back.

“Why don't we take it down a notch,” The Raven says, his voice rising along with his hands. “Everybody just take a step back.”

The Bull exhales noisily behind his mask. “Look, we trust you, Hound. We just don’t trusther.”

Possessiveness flares inside me—hot, unexpected.

I should stamp it down and bury it deep, but I don’t.

Instead, I whirl on him. And before any of them can react, I’ve stood abruptly and grabbed The Bull by the collar, yanking him into me, looming over him.

“You're talking about the woman who is going to bemy wife,” I snarl viciously.

For a moment, no one speaks.

Then I feel a hand on my shoulder. I glance back, seeing The Raven standing and slowly shaking his head, telling me wordlessly to calm the fuck down.

The Stag exhales smoke through his nose, shifting slightly in his chair.

“No one needs to prove a negative. We just need to know for certain if she knows anything, or if she knows what her father had on this Court.”

“Andagain,” I mutter, letting go of The Bull’s collar. “I’m on top of it.”

“I suppose that means you’re going through with the wedding?” The Bull grunts sarcastically.

I don’t answer.

“Well,” The Wolf shrugs, leaning back in his chair, “let’s hope you don’t regret it.”

I push back from the table quietly.

“I think we’re all quite aware that I’m not overly burdened with the concept,” I murmur. I button my jacket before I let my eyes drag over the rest of the group. “I’ll handle it. Like wealwayshandle it.”

I push open the doors and step into the darkness, then let them close behind me with a resounding thud.

17

LYRA

“Well,I’m sure you don’t want to hear it…”

Milena’s eyes meet mine in the mirror.

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