Owen fumed as soon as he walked in the door that evening. I backed away from him, until my back pressed against the counter. “I’m sorry.” “Sorry? Alexis, do you have any idea how I felt when I came back and you were gone? Do you know what Rina and the council would have done to me if…if…” He couldn’t finish. “And Sophia…she would’ve killed me.” “I’m sorry,” I repeated with deepest sincerity. “I know I took advantage of you. And I understand if you never trust me again. I thought I was doing what was best.” “And exactly what did you think was best?” “Surrender to the Daemoni so they would leave everyone else alone.” Both Owen and Tristan groaned. “They want me. Not Mom. Not Rina. And not Dorian. And I knew you’d never just let me go.” “Of course not! That was incredibly stupid. And if Tristan hadn’t been there, you’d be in the Daemoni’s hands—or dead—and he’d be here. How do you think all of us would feel about that?” I couldn’t answer, knowing how horrible the consequences would have been for them.
