Aria stared at Cyrus, her heart racing. Something felt wrong. Very wrong.
"Wait," she said, putting up her hand. "You said they have Mom? But Luna Seraphina is right here."
Cyrus's green eyes sparked. Just for a second. But Aria caught it.
"I meant... they caught her earlier. She escaped," he said quickly.
"No." Aria stepped closer. "You're lying."
"What? Aria, we don't have time—"
"You said the rogues broke through the main walls. But I can still hear our pack fighters fighting up there. If they broke through, the war would be over."
Seraphina's eyes narrowed. "Cyrus. What's really happening upstairs?"
"I told you! The rogues—"
"ENOUGH!" Aria's voice bounced off the stone walls. Her violet eyes flashed silver. "I'm tired of your games!"
The room went silent except for the faraway sounds of battle.
Cyrus's shoulders sagged. The fear left his face, replaced by something cold and calculating. "Fine," he said. "You want the truth? Here it is."
