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“I see, I—”
“And pretty young things, too.” He bares his teeth in a dangerous grin and oh my, it’s sexy. “After all, we’re famous for stealing babies and leaving changelings in their place.”
“That’s disturbing,” I mutter.
“But we’re also famous for stealing pretty girls.”
“Also disturbing.”
His grin widens. “Speaking of disturbing…”
I turn around and findherwalking determinedly toward me.
“Ophelia,” I whisper.
“Look what the cat dragged in. Or the griffin, more like.” She glances at Sindri, smiles at him. “Came to have some fun, Maddie?”
“It’s Mia,” I grind out.
“Oh, is it, now? Well,Mia…” She returns her gaze to me, looks me up and down. “I see the bird has flown the nest, the seed has blossomed… etcetera.” She waves a hand. “I’ll be frank, Mia. It doesn’t suit you.”
I frown down at myself. “What do you mean?”
“All this. Pretending to be something you’re not. A woman. A slut. A witch.”
“Charming,” Sindri says mildly. “Watch your mouth, witch.”
Ophelia’s eyes narrow. “Or what, fairy boy? Will you use your magic on me?”
“Are you registered at the Academy?” He cocks his head to the side, giving her a thoughtful look. “As a witch? Is the registration office aware of your status and oh,right, your true name?”
Ophelia waves a dismissive hand. “Miss Worthy, you mean? I don’t have to tell her anything.”
“You have a powerful patron, then,” Sindri says flatly. “Who is it?”
“As if I’d tell you. It’s none of your business, Sindri Arash. Or should I say Prince Sindri Tarquin Sendrick Ilan Arash of the House of the Wind, Bastard son of the Unseelie Sudei Ailen d’Arash and a Seelie princess who vanished from the records?”
Sindri chokes on a sharp inhale and the blood drains from his face. “Kerel. How the hell would you know this? What the fuck else do you know?”
“I know enough.” Her smile never wavers and I stare fascinated at this girl whom I thought I knew better than myself.
Maybe it makes sense that she turned out to be someone completely different since, as it appears, I don’t even know whoIam.
“What happened to you, Lia?” I whisper. “Since when are you a witch? Father and Mother would be horrified.”
“Father and Mother.” She laughs. “That’s right, they would be, especially if they saw you right now. Maybe you should go back to them, huh?”
“I can’t.”
“And why is that?”
“Don’t change the topic,” I whisper. “Why were you here under a false name? What do you want with the boys?”
“The boys you came to hurt on my behalf, huh?” She tips her head back, watching me from under her lashes. “Like I said, I came to help them. See the difference between you and me? I came here with kindness in my heart, whereas you came with unjustified anger. You’re ignorant, whereas I know exactly what is happening. You’re arrogant, thinking you’re some sort of hero when in fact you’re a stupid girl putting on airs.”
Funny how every insult she flings my way jabs like a knife in my chest. “You still haven’t answered my questions.”
“Haven’t I? You asked why I’m here. Question is, why are you? I think it’s time for you to go.” Her voice is starting to rise. “You have no business being here, in my way, distracting me when I have work to do. Piss off!”
