Emory's POV.
The mood grows increasingly awkward as we all stand around outside, waiting for Velara and Vladimir to arrive. Malakar and Hope thought it best for everyone to be present before I begin explaining what I know about Hope’s father and the prophecy. I agree with them — I just wish everyone would stop looking at me in a dozen different ways.
Hope stares at me like I — and I alone — hold the answers to everything she’s ever questioned about her life. There’s so much expectation etched into her face, it almost breaks my heart. I really feel for her. She might not believe it after everything that’s happened, but I care about her — deeply. She’s my friend. My best friend. The last thing I ever wanted was to hurt her, to betray her trust. But I had no real choice — not when the truth
