{IRIS}
"Iris, wait!"
Caroline rushed after me, gripping my wrist gently. "Can we talk?"
I didn't want to. Not here. Not anywhere.
I was about to refuse when a familiar voice rang out, loud and commanding.
"Oh, dear Caroline—come sit here with us!"
Valerius's voice silenced the room.
I froze.
My gaze lifted to the long table where the vampires sat—Morgana, Sol, the others, and Lord Vladimir at the center.
My heart thudded violently.
But Lord Val's eyes were not on me.
They were on Caroline.
Something inside me shattered.
I tore my hand from hers, my voice cold and sharp. "Go and join your new friends, Caroline."
"Iris—" she began, but I cut her off and turned away.
As I left, I caught sight—just for a moment—of vampires guiding Caroline to a seat beside Lord Vladimir.
And then—
A small smile curved Lord Val's lips.
For her.
The pain hit like a blade straight through my chest.
