Daphne's POV
"What exactly do you know about Lyra?"
His question sliced through the silence like a blade. I pivoted to face Benedict completely, my shattered hands pulsing with every rapid heartbeat.
"What could I possibly know about her?" Bitterness dripped from each word. "She's been nothing but poison in my veins since the day she drew breath."
"You're blood relatives." Benedict's voice carried that infuriating patience. Like he was speaking to a child. "Her opposition as well. Wouldn't basic strategy demand you study your adversary thoroughly?"
I wanted to spit back a retort, but the words died in my throat. The harsh reality was that I'd never bothered learning about Lyra beyond plotting her destruction. Never considered that understanding her might be useful.
