Serene's Pov
They all waited for Erik to begin speaking.
Erik drew a slow breath. He looked strained. “He refuses to release her. He… demands a meeting. With you, Agnar. Face to face.”
“Well, that isn't a surprise,” said Etienne, the usual humour in his voice gone.
“Anything else?” Agnar asked, watching Erik intently.
“Nothing much. Just that he only left me alive to get the message across to you. He also communicated —in the most colourful words — that he would have your head on a platter and would make her watch while he does it.” His gaze cut to me as he finished speaking. “Oh,” he said, “Sorry. I didn't notice you. I was too hungry to.”
I was barely listening to him — the pounding of my heart drowning out anything else. Roman wouldn't let my mother go. My survival had caused her
