Tall. Controlled.
Composed.
The shape of him filled me with the same terror it always had—bone-deep, instinctive, trained into me from childhood.
He stepped toward me, blocking the doorway, his eyes colder than the tile floor beneath our feet.
“You couldn’t stay out of trouble for one month, could you?” he said, shaking his head with measured disappointment. “I should have known.”
My throat tightened.
“Father,” I whispered.
“Hello, Persephone,” Gideon Quinn said calmly.
Chapter 42
Seph
I froze. My whole body went still, like my off switch had flipped.
On the couch sat Jess, her arms wrapped around her knees, guards standing like statues around her.
“Jess. Are you—are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She tried for a smile, but her eyes flicked to the guards. “They let me out and I came straight here, but—”
“No one hurt you?” I stepped forward before I could stop myself.
“Of course not, Persephone. What an idea,” Gideon drawled, dripping contempt. I shot him a glare, instinctive and sharp.
Jess ignored him. “I’m fine. I’m sorry, Seph. I didn’t know he’d be here. I would have warned you.”
Gideon walked the perimeter like he was inspecting a crime scene. His expression twisted as he touched the wall, rubbed his fingers together, and found something to dislike.
“So,” he said. “This is where they put you. And with the Firestarter who killed a child.” His lip curled. “I’ll be having a conversation with Warden Wild about this lapse in judgment.”
“Hey!” Jess snapped.
Gideon didn’t even bother looking at her. He stepped around her like she was something he might accidentally tread in.
“It’s just a room, Father,” I said, keeping my voice steady. “I’m fine here. With Jess. I don’t care where I sleep.”
“That was acceptable,” he said coldly, “when no one knew who you were. We were all fine. And then you had to tell them, didn’t you?”
I hadn’t. But what was the point? He wouldn’t believe me anyway.
“Why are you here, Father?”
Gideon didn’t answer. He just flicked his fingers toward the guards. “Come. Let’s go for a walk.”
“Seph—” Jess rose slightly, watching him with open disgust. “Do you want me to come with you?”
“I—”
“Of course not,” Gideon cut in, derision dripping. The idea seemed to physically repulse him.
Jess’s glare could have scorched the walls. “I was talking to Seph,” she said flatly.
