Dahlia
I found Serena in the estate's east conservatory, surrounded by plants that looked entirely too healthy for a woman who radiated the general warmth of a winter grave.
"You're stalking me," she said without turning around, still trimming something green and delicate with a small silver blade. "That's the third time you've walked past this room today."
"I got lost." I stepped inside anyway, deciding subtlety had officially left the building the moment she called me out. "This estate has a lot of hallways."
"Try harder next time." She finally looked at me, violet eyes unnervingly still, like she was watching every muscle twitch on my face. "You want to ask me something. Ask it."
Well. That was one way to skip the small talk.
"The bond." I crossed my arms, deciding bluntness was p
