"You lied to me."
The words cut through the silence like a dagger to the gut.
Seraphis didn't flinch. "Say it louder, Haelyn."
"You said she was bound. Contained. That the wards would hold her back…"
"And they did. Until they didn't."
Haelyn's jaw clenched. "Because you knew this would happen. You were waiting."
"For what?" Seraphis raised a brow. "For her to feast on your child? Don't be stupid."
"Don't you dare…"
"Then don't act like a child who didn't want to see the truth." Seraphis stepped forward, her voice like steel dragged through ash. "Nemesis never wanted Archer. Never wanted Artemis. She wanted him."
Haelyn gripped Ezra tighter, her heart hammering.
"My son."
"Yes."
Silence.
Ezra stirred in his sleep, unaware that his name had just become prophecy.
Archer stood in the doorway, arms crossed. "Say what you're not saying, Seraphis."
