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“If you hurt her,” Jacqueline said from the head of the table, “there is nowhere on this earth or beneath it where you can hide.”

I studied the silverware beside my plate. “Which fork do I use to respond to maternal intimidation?”

“The small one,” Carolina said. “The large one is for dismemberment.”

Jacqueline’s mouth twitched. I pretended not to notice because acknowledging progress might frighten it away.

The dining room could have seated thirty. Tonight, there were only three of us beneath a chandelier made from suspended crystals. Each one held a tiny captive flame.

Portraits of dead Fortman women watched me with collective disapproval.

“Your maker,” Jacqueline said. “Name.”

“Vivienne Cross. At least, that’s what she called herself.”

“Bloodline?”

“Negligent.”

Carolina kicked me beneath the table.

“Unknown,” I corrected. “She turned me in the hospital, taught me enough not to eat anyone, and left me at the town line three nights later.”

Jacqueline set down her wine. “Abandoning a newborn is a violation of vampire law.”

“Good to know she was professionally terrible, not merely personally.”

“Kingston Security is searching for her,” Carolina said.

Jacqueline nodded. “I will give Mack access to the coven archives.”

The offer surprised me. “Why?”

“Because what Vivienne did endangered this town.” Her gaze held mine. “Her abandonment also left you terrified and vulnerable when I approached you. I mistook that fear for arrogance.”

“I was also arrogant.”

“Yes. Appallingly.”

“I appreciate the clarification.”

Dinner arrived in courses, delivered by acolytes who stared at me as though they expected to find fangs floating in the soup.

Jacqueline questioned me about my finances, housing, feeding habits, and whether I intended to interfere with Carolina’s coven duties.

“She no longer has coven duties,” I said.

“She has been restored as heir.”

Carolina set down her fork. “I accepted restoration as your daughter. I did not agree to return as your obedient employee. Second Chances is my priority. Any role I take within the coven will be negotiated around it.”

The crystals overhead brightened with Jacqueline’s irritation.

“An heir has obligations.”

“So does a mother.”

Silence tightened around the table.