THE QUEEN OF THE BLACK RAVENS

e, I knew he wasn't there for coffee. He was there for me. The stranger's eyes locked onto mine, and something cold settled in my stomach. "Aria," Isabella whispered, her face pale.

xon. He looked just as shocked as I felt. I turned back to Adrian. "You're lying." "I wish I were." "Why would my parents keep something like that from me?" Adrian looked away. "Because Amelia disappeared sixteen years ago." Silence. Complete silence. I stared at him. "Disappeared?" He nodded. "She was taken." Every instinct in my body screamed that I wasn't going to like where this conversation was heading. "Taken by who?" Adrian remained silent. I laughed bitterly. "Everyone in my life seems to enjoy keeping secrets." "Aria," Isabella whispered. "Maybe we should go." "No." I looked directly at Adrian. "I want the truth." He sighed heavily. "The night Amelia disappeared, your mother blamed herself." My chest tightened. "Why?" "Because she was supposed to be watching both of you." I felt sick. My mother had carried that guilt for years. Alone. "After Amelia disappeared, your mother cut ties with everyone." I frowned. "Everyone?" Adrian nodded. "My family. Isabella's family. Everyone." "Why?" His answer shattered me. "Because she believed one of us was responsible." I stared at him. "You think someone kidnapped my sister?" Adrian looked exhausted. "We know someone did." The café suddenly felt too small. Too crowded. Too loud. I pushed away from the table. "I need air." "Aria-" I ignored Jaxon and walked outside. Cold air hit my face immediately. None of this made sense. A twin sister. A kidnapping. More secrets. How much more could one person take? The café door opened behind me. I knew without turning around that it was Jaxon. "You shouldn't be alone right now." I laughed humorlessly. "Funny. I've never been more alone." He was silent. After a moment, he spoke again. "I know you hate me." "I don't hate you." My voice cracked. "I just wish you'd loved me enough to tell me the truth." The silence that followed hurt more than words. "I'm sorry," he whispered. I closed my eyes. "I know." For the first time since yesterday, we stood together without arguing. It almost felt normal. Almost. Then a car screeched to a stop across the street. Both Jaxon and I turned. A black SUV. Dark-tinted windows. My stomach dropped. Because a woman was st