I felt a sudden pang of sympathy for her. It was not like we had an oh-so-lovely relationship. Jenna hadn't exactly been an icon of maternal warmth to the original Irene, and she certainly hadn't been to me since I arrived.
Yet, looking at her tremble, fragile body, the heavy truth weighed on my chest. My own choices had brought this terrifying mess right to their doorstep. Of course, I had not really had a choice.
The alternative was letting Selene die and facing the executioner myself. Still, watching her all tensed made my defenses drop for a fraction of a second.
I reached out and gently placed my hand over Jenna's tightly gripped fingers, halting the frantic motion of her silk fan.
"Take a deep breath, Mother. We have nothing to hide. Just let the guards do their job," I murmured softly, keeping my voice low and steady.
