Chapter 80:

The knock comes just as I exhale, sinking into the soft sheets of Caspian's bed.

Aries stiffens immediately, his presence flaring in the back of my mind. "You've got to be kidding me," he growls. "Can't they let you rest for one damn minute?"

I don't respond, pushing myself up with a sigh. My muscles protest after the fight with Eden, the weight of the day settling on my shoulders.

I cross the room and pull the door open just enough to peek out.

The enforcer from earlier stands there, his expression unreadable.

"The Queen requests your presence," he says, voice steady but firm.

My stomach tightens.

"No," Aries snaps immediately. "We're not going."

I swallow hard, glancing past the enforcer down the dimly lit hall. "She sent you personally?"

He nods. "She did."

"I don't trust her." Aries' voice is low, vibrating through my chest like a restrained snarl. "I don't trust any of them."