Page 93 of A Crown Without Mercy

Sylvana knew immediately based on Mira’s emotional state of mind and how Laurent failed to make eye contact with her, there was more to the story.This is bad on so many levels,she thought.

Mira placed her hand on Sylvana’s, discretely turned her palm up, and opened and closed her fist. Sylvana looked into Mira’s eyes, feeling as though someone had just shoved her off a cliff. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.They know everything,she said to herself. After a moment of gathering her composure, she stood protectively in front of Mira and Laurent, turned toward the brothers, and crossed her arms. “So now what?”

“So nowwe have a real conversation, but I think it’s best if Mira and Laurent weren’t present,” Riordan replied.

“What are you going to do with them?”

“They will not be harmed. They will be down the hall,” Nicolai replied.

Riordan called to the guard telepathically.“Take Laurent and Mira to the chamber two doors down.”

He walked in and nodded. “Milords.” He then motioned for Mira and Laurent to follow.

Mira wrapped her arms around Sylvana. “I never meant to tell them. Please forgive me,” she pleaded.

Sylvana hugged her tightly. “It will be okay, Mira.” She then lifted her chin and smiled. “I won’t let anything happen to you or Laurent, and Alaric is also here.”

“Do you hate me?” Mira asked.

Sylvana cupped her face in her hands and smiled. “I could never hate you, Mira.”

Nicolai walked over and reached for Sylvana’s hand, but she pulled it away. “Do not touch me.”

“Have a seat, Sylvana,” Riordan stated.

She sat on the edge of the settee while Nicolai and Kieran took a seat opposite her.

“How did you find them if they ran away? And why did you bring them here?”

“As you are aware, we have been monitoring the acreage around your manor. Our warriors found them deep in the forest and brought them here for their own safety,” Riordan stated.

“For their own safety? Bullshit, you could have taken them home,” she stated.

Riordan spun the glass in his hand and took a sip. “We could have. However, your lives are in jeopardy and the sooner we uncovered the truth, the sooner we could make arrangements for you and your family.”

“What arrangements? And why are our lives in jeopardy?”

“The Lycans are aware of your existence, and we fear the Faye is as well,” Riordan replied.

“And what about my father?”

“We have yet to locate him, and I assume he has gotten himself into a precarious situation,” Riordan answered.

“What about Calista and Alaric?”

“Alaric is here, we have eyes on him, and a few of our warriors will stay back to watch over Calista when they take Laurent home.”

“I want to be the one to explain things to them.”

“As you wish.” Riordan nodded. “There is one thing you need to know. We have blocked you from speaking to Calista and Alaric telepathically outside of these walls.”

“Why?”

“We don’t want someone hearing a conversation that would relay pertinent information they could use against you and/or your family.”

“I don’t appreciate the way you all are making these decisions without my knowledge, much less my opinion. Calista and I can cloak our own damn conversations.”

“As well as you did with Riordan?” Nicolai questioned.

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