“Matty boy,” she cooed. “Come to your mother.”
“You are not my mother,” he spat, not moving an inch.
“Ah, but I raised you. I know you enough to know you hold no power in your blood. It’s Persinette who surprises me. I’d assumed a daughter of Viktor would have stronger magic than yours.” She paused. “There is one thing she has that you lack, Matty.” Her eyes narrowed as she stopped in front of Alex.
“Alexandre, stand.” He did.
One of her guards held out a knife to him hilt first.
“Take it.”
Once again, Alex obeyed.
Etta watched in horror, her heart pounding painfully against her ribs.
“Good boy.” La Dame traced a line on her own arm with her finger and Alex pressed the knife against his skin. Blood beaded around the blade and his hands shook as he tried to fight it.
“Alex,” Etta c
