Ava’s POV
The fire crackled quietly in the clearing, a dramatic contrast to the tempest of emotions whirling around us. My eyes were focused on Lucia, every instinct screaming at me to either trust her or take her down. I couldn’t decide which was more risky. Seraph’s confession had rocked us all, but the image of Lucia, standing with tears flowing down her face, pierced harder than any sword.
I forced myself to take a breath, to quiet the wrath and bewilderment trying to consume me. “Start talking,” I ordered, my voice harsh and steely. “If you want us to believe you, now’s your chance.”
Lucia gazed at each of us in turn, her attention lingering on Ava. “I was trying to protect them,” she replied, her voice raspy. “My family. The shadows—they have them. I didn’t have a choice.”
“There
