Chapter 26 · My Mom Never Died

"She's in the greenhouse behind the clinic." Vera's voice came through the phone like poison wrapped in silk. "You want proof she's breathing, you trade that death claim. Now."

I didn't move. Couldn't. My mom's face on that screen, older, thinner, alive.

"Lena." Kael's hand closed over mine. His palm burned. "Don't."

"Don't what?" I yanked free. "Don't trade your execution for the woman who's supposed to be dead? Don't burn my whole life down because you need me to play nice?"

"Don't make a deal when you don't know what it costs."

"I know what it costs." I turned the phone so he could see her face. "She's alive. My mom is alive, and Vera's had her this whole time."

Kael went still. That terrible wolf stillness that meant his control was shredding from the inside.

"Where?" His voice dropped an octave.

"Greenhouse. Back of the Crowne family clinic."

"That's private property. Warded.