Avery's POV.
I walked toward the kitchens, my head down, the image of Lucian’s indifferent face burned into my mind.
I stepped into the already busy kitchen, my hands still red and stinging from the morning’s scrubbing. I expected Marla to bark another order, but instead, I found myself paralyzed.
There, standing near the large prep table, was Elira. She was speaking to Marla.
“Why hasn’t she left yet?” I muttered under my breath. “What is she even doing here?”
As if sensing my presence, she turned her head. Our eyes met, and for a heartbeat, the bustling kitchen disappeared.
Elira's mouth curved into a slow, terrifyingly patient smile. She looked at my bare neck, her gaze lingering on the red marks where the collar had been.
Her eyes flickered with a dark, knowing glee as if she
