Chapter 52

Evie bursts into Trystan’s bedchamber without knocking, angry that Trystan left before Evie could share Evie’s new lead and alarmed that Lyssa is missing. Evie finds Trystan shirtless and exercising, and their awkward banter quickly gives way to concern. Evie explains that Edwin, Becky, Blade, and the guards have not found Lyssa, and that Tatianna and Clare also seem absent.

Trystan uses an amethyst to order everyone to search for Lyssa Sage and report any sightings. Trystan tries to reassure Evie, but Evie admits Evie is not well after stabbing Evie’s father and is more furious than frightened. While they wait, Evie sprawls on Trystan’s painfully uncomfortable bed and forces the subject of their recent kiss.

Evie presses Trystan to address what happened between them, while Trystan insists the kiss was an accident. Their charged exchange makes clear that neither of them has forgotten it, but Evie agrees to postpone the conversation until after Evie’s mother is found, demanding they revisit it no matter the outcome.

Evie finally tells Trystan that the woman in the painting was Renna Fortis. Trystan explains that Renna is the matriarch of the Fortis family and that, if Evie’s mother is at the Fortis Family Fortress, the situation could be serious because the fortress is inaccessible to the public. Trystan hints there is another complication but refuses to say more, promising instead to make inquiries.

As Evie snoops through Trystan’s belongings, Trystan repeatedly stops Evie, especially from investigating the armoire, making Evie suspect Trystan is hiding something there. Marv then storms in and reports a deliberately started fire in the courtyard. Trystan initially treats the fire as manageable, but when Marv says the Valiant Guards may be responsible, Trystan rushes out with Evie following, though Evie privately suspects someone else is behind it.