Dorian arrived twenty minutes later with Thalia in tow. He looked exhausted dark circles under his eyes, his hair messier than usual, tension in every line of his body.
Through the bond, Selene could feel his reluctance. He didn’t want to be here. Didn’t want to face her. But he’d come anyway.
“This is a bad idea,” he said by way of greeting.
“Your life is a series of bad ideas,” Selene countered. “This is just another one for the collection.”
His mouth twitched. Almost a smile. “Fair.”
Seraphine clapped her hands together. “Wonderful. Now that we’re all here, let’s talk about the ritual. The one you’ve been avoiding thinking about.”
Dorian’s expression shuttered. “I said I need time.”
“And I said we don’t have time. So here’s what’s going to happen.” Seraphine’s voice took on the t
