Chapter 2

It was the twenty-sixth day of Rowan's coma.

Kael and Vivian came to my tent together.

Kael sat across from me, with his usual gentle smile. "Lia, you haven't been well lately, and there's a lot going on in the tribe. Why don't you hand over the chief's seal? Vivian and I can take care of everything for you."

I didn't move. I just looked at him. "The seal is inside my body. It would have to be cut out."

"I know." Kael's smile faded a notch. "That's why I brought the healer."

The tent flap opened. The healer, Silas Reed, walked in carrying his medical kit, with two guards behind him.

Vivian let out a soft sigh, her eyes glistening. "Lia, I know you can't bear to give up the seal, but look at what's happening now. You failed to shift, and the tribe is already talking.

"You're a lizard. Holding onto the seal only brings shame to the tribe. I'm doing this for your own good. Once the dust settles, I'll give it back. I promise."

"A lizard?" I laughed without humor. "Who told you I'm a lizard?"

"Don't blame Vivian for speaking out of turn," Kael said. "Everyone saw those scales on you. I've kept the rumors under control, but I can't hide the truth forever.

"If you insist on keeping the seal, I'll have no choice but to tell the tribe the truth. You can't even shift. You have no right to remain the heir."

I stared at him. His words cut deep.

So this was the love he'd always claimed to have for me? His love meant nothing.

"I won't hand it over." I spoke slowly, stressing every word. "Rowan is still lying in that bed. Until he gives the word, no one is taking this seal."

Kael's face went completely cold.

Vivian stepped forward, tears streaming down her face. "Lia, stop being so stubborn! I'm your best friend. Would I ever hurt you? You can't even shift. Keeping the seal will only make you a laughingstock. You'll bring shame to the entire Silver Serpent tribe..." She broke off with a sharp cry.

Before she could finish, she staggered back two steps. "You... you pushed me?"

Kael's face changed instantly. He caught Vivian and steadied her. "Are you alright?"

Vivian shook her head, biting her lip as she looked at me. "Lia, I know you're upset about what I said... but I really am doing this for your own good. You can't even shift properly. What good will the seal do you? Just hand it over and live a quiet life as a commoner. Wouldn't that be better for everyone?"

Kael whipped his head toward me, his eyes icy. "Aurelia Vale, you've gone too far!"

The next instant, he was in front of me. One hand clamped down on my shoulder while the other pressed directly over the seal on my chest.

His fingers curled into claws. His nails shot out and drove deep into my flesh.

Pain exploded through my chest.

"Arghhh!"

I heard my flesh tear.

Kael ripped the blood-soaked seal from my chest.

It was a polished greenstone seal carved in the shape of a coiled serpent. It was covered in my blood and glowed faintly green in the firelight.

I collapsed to the ground, blood pouring from my chest.

Vivian rose to her feet. Not a single tear remained on her face.

She walked to Kael's side, took the bloodied seal from his hand, and wiped it clean with a handkerchief. Her voice was soft and sweet.

"Kael, you were right. Lia is so stubborn she wouldn't cooperate. Good thing you were clever about it."

"You..." I pressed my hand over the wound, my vision darkening from the pain. "You two..."

Vivian crouched down and leaned close to my ear. "Lia, be a good girl and lie still. Rest up with your foster father."

She straightened, putting that pitiful, innocent look back on her face. Then she addressed the guards behind her. "The heir is badly wounded. Please see that she rests. No visitors without my orders."

The tent flap fell shut, blocking out the light.

I lay on the cold ground, the hole in my chest still oozing blood.

It hurt.

But the betrayal hurt even more.

I closed my eyes. Blood soaked through the blanket beneath me.

As consciousness slipped away, I remembered the last thing Rowan said before he fell into his coma.

He had told me, "Lia, there is something inside you more important than the chief's seat. When you're ready, you'll know."

A jolt of searing pain shot through the wound. 'Dad, I'm ready now.'