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“No,” I whisper, dropping my arm.

“Are you ready to know the truth?” Griffon asks.

I look at Archer. He’s looking at me, and I know he's aware. I see his fire working under the ice. My mind is spinning. Yes, I want answers, but I want my soul bond more.

“Let him go,” I hiss, turning my attention back to Griffon.

“I will, Daughter. Just not yet.”

“Don’t call me that,” I rasp.

“Why not? That’s what you are.” He holds his arms out.

“If you think I’m going to hug you, you’re delusional,” I grit out.

“I expected that,” he sighs, dropping his arms.

“Explain,” Aria snaps.

“Gwen lied to you,” he growls, his expression fierce. “She kept you from me. I thought you were dead, and when I found out you weren’t, I began to search.” He looks at me, then at Aria. “Can’t you feel it?”

“No,” I say firmly.

I need to get closer to put him to sleep, but the thought makes my skin crawl. The owl didn’t freeze, and I try not to show any emotion as I see him creeping towards Archer. I focus on Griffon, avoiding Archer's gaze. He's continuing to work to break the ice. I don’t want to draw attention to him, fearing what else Griffon will do.

“Open yourself to it, and your magic will tell you,” he says, tilting his head. “I feel you both in here.” He pounds his chest.

“How could Travis be with Betty if you were her soul bond?” Aria asks, and Griffon concentrates on her.

I want to hit her. She’s way too curious. I want answers, but not like this. If Granny lied to us, we need to find her and not believe the strange warlock.

I glance quickly toward my bond while Griffon stares at Aria. The bird is pressing against Archer’s frozen pants, aiding him.

“Because Betty isn’t your mother.”

“Wait, what?” I focus on Griffon. My world is exploding. My magic is ready to fight, yet my shock is holding it close.

“Mary was beautiful,” he whispers, smiling slightly.

“Mary,” Aria rasps.

“She was my soul bond, and we lived happily. We had been together for a few months when we found out she was pregnant with you.” He smiles softly at me with adoration. “We were so excited to meet you.”

I’m nauseous. My body rebels, my magic retreating inside me, and my mind doesn’t want to hear what he wants to say. All I can picture is what he did to Betty and Travis. He killed them, so nothing would stop him from trying to kill Archer.

“Aria, stop time,” I hiss.

“Did you love her?” she asks weakly.

I glance at Archer as ice cracks. The shards fly off his body. Fire travels over him, steam rising from his skin, and he steps forward. Rome and Mara shake off Griffon’s spell and follow. Relief spreads through me, needing him to hold me. Before he can use a spell, they're frozen again.

Griffon laughs.

I glance at him, but he didn’t deploy a spell; Aria did.

“Aria,” I gasp, shocked. She stopped time for Archer and my friends.

Griffon moves closer to her, oozing pride at her actions.