That one landed.
The air shifted.
She leaned forward.
“How would you like that narrative circulated? A grown man. An impressionable girl. You see how neatly that writes.”
I went very still.
“This is desperate,” I said quietly. “Even for you.”
“Desperate?” she repeated mildly. “No. Preventative.”
“You want to brand me?” I said. “Do it. I will still come for you.”
“Not while you’re under my care.”
“These walls won’t hold me.”
“They don’t need to hold you forever.” A pause. “Only long enough.”
I smiled faintly. “You’ll never find Seph. Or Gideon.”
Her eyes sharpened.
“So you do know where he is.”
I leaned back. “You don’t know anything.”
“I know Elliot Muir is involved.” She studied me. “The question, Kieran, is what you’re willing to endure to protect him.”
“I’m not afraid of pain, Georgina. You should know that by now.”
“And what about your friend,” she asked lightly. “The air mage.”
I went still.
Her smile deepened — slow, deliberate.
“The guards have had their fun with him,” she said. “I imagine you heard.”
The chain between my wrists shifted an inch.
“What do you want?” My voice was even now. Very even.
She leaned forward, elbows resting lightly on the table.
“I want to make you a deal.”
I let out a short laugh. “You don’t have the currency.”
“Oh, I do,” she murmured. “You just haven’t realised it yet.”
“You overestimate yourself.”
She didn’t react.
“I’m sure you remember my daughter,” she continued calmly. “Persephone.”
