Chapter 2

Fenris’s luxury car pulled up in front of the familiar villa.

Through the window, I saw the house glowing with light, and I could faintly hear the sounds of laughter and music.

Two years, and it was still as lively as ever; my absence hadn't changed a thing.

"Welcome home," Fenris said, reaching for my hand.

I shifted my weight and avoided his touch.

The foyer was covered in flowers and streamers, clearly decorated for a lavish party.

Selene was standing in the center of the living room wearing a champagne-colored evening gown that probably cost more than a pack house.

A diamond necklace sparkled under the chandelier. Caspian stood right beside her, tenderly adjusting the train of her dress.

I stood there in my prison rags, looking like a stain on their perfect picture.

The moment Caspian saw me, a flash of excitement crossed his face. He started walking toward me quickly.

As his gaze landed on my gaunt, skeletal frame, a hint of pity flickered in his eyes, and he looked like he wanted to reach out.

But Selene was faster.

"Emma!" Selene beamed the moment she saw me. "You’re finally back!"

She rushed toward me in her high heels, arms open for a hug. I instinctively tried to step back, but she already had me in a tight grip.

"I missed you so much," she said loudly, her voice a perfect blend of excitement and grievance.

"I'm so sorry, Emma. I passed out right after I was stabbed, so I had no idea Fenris and Caspian had sent you away. I know you didn't mean to hurt me." She lowered her voice into a soft, manipulative plea. "Now that you're home, let's just put the past behind us and try to get along, okay?"

Hearing her bring up the incident from two years ago in that "forgiving" tone caused Caspian’s expression to harden instantly.

"It’s good to have you back," Caspian said, his voice devoid of warmth. "Just make sure you learned your lesson. Selene was the one who insisted on letting you out early. Don't you dare treat her like that ever again."

I watched him silently. He was still handsome, still regal, but he felt like a total stranger.

I remembered years ago, when our parents died in a border skirmish and I cried for days.

Caspian, only eighteen then, held twelve-year-old me and swore he’d protect me with his life.

Back then, he used to braid my hair, stay up with me through my nightmares, and give me the best of everything.

He told me I was his only family and his entire reason for living.

I closed my eyes, forcing those memories into a grave. I didn't have a brother anymore.

Seeing my silence, Caspian took it for agreement and his expression softened slightly.

He pulled an elegant jewelry box from his pocket.

"I got this for you," he said, opening it to reveal a necklace set with a massive healing gemstone. It was priceless. "The past is the past, Emma. Forget the bad blood. You’re still my little sister."

My little sister.

I used to live for those words. Now, they felt like a knife to the chest.

"Wait!" Selene chimed in. "I have a gift for her too."

She turned and picked up a tray from a nearby table. On it sat an exquisite crystal box containing something shimmering.

"I picked this out just for you to celebrate your freedom," she said, her smile looking terrifyingly sincere. "I really hope we can be like real sisters from now on."

"Go on, take it," Fenris urged. "She went through a lot of trouble for this."

"Yeah, see what's inside," Caspian added.

I mechanically reached out and took the glass box.

But the second my fingers brushed the surface, a white-hot, agonizing pain seared through my palms.

Liquid silver.

The box was coated in high-purity liquid silver.

My instincts took over and I dropped it.

The glass box shattered against the floor, shards flying everywhere.

One of the fragments sliced right across Selene’s left cheek, leaving a thin red line.

"Ah!" Selene screamed, collapsing to the floor and clutching her face. "Why? Emma, do you still hate me that much? I just wanted to make things right... why are you doing this to me?"

I looked down at my hands. My palms were charred black from the corrosion; I could almost see the white of my bones.

But Fenris and Caspian weren't looking at me.

They both lunged for Selene, hovering over her to inspect the tiny scratch on her face.

"Emma!" Caspian roared. "I thought you’d changed, but you’re still the same heartless bitch! Selene begged for your release, and this is how you thank her?"