The chamber hummed with quiet menace, punctuated only by the soft click of Valerian’s shoes against the steel floor. Alina’s back pressed against the chaise, arms folded across her chest, eyes scanning every corner of the room. Her mind raced, attempting to absorb the torrent of revelations Valerian had just unleashed. The bloodline debts, the pact, the intricate web of her mother’s secrets—it was dizzying.

Valerian stopped, hands clasped behind him, eyes studying her as if she were ...