Chapter twenty one
* A Delicate Peace*
The cruel text message sat in Lyra's mind like a thorn, but she refused to let it take root. She knew it was from Axel. It was exactly his style—twisted and meant to cause fear. After seeing how Axel had hurt Xami at the breakfast, she knew he was the real poison in the family. She deleted the message and tried to sleep, pushing the ugly words away.
The next morning, the first light of dawn was just coloring the sky when a soft groan pulled her from a shallow sleep. She walked quietly into the living room. Xami was still on the couch, but he was restless. His forehead was damp with sweat, his face pale. The empty tequila bottle stood nearby; he had clearly drunk too much.
A strange feeling tugged at Lyra's chest. He looked vulnerable, not like the
