MoonFlames: Cornered By Fated Fangs

mo

?" My father's voice c

r of the funeral home,

old him. My voice was flat an

about M

mother's mother. Not you

rp pain sat behind my eyes. "Tell

pa

at

e her heart right in front of me. One of them said t

d. "You've had a terrible day. I

ange the

sed when I was ten and refused to eat my vegetables. "Listen t

ob. "Calm? Dad, my grandmother

s exactly why t

e wall, my vis

is missing,"

ked. "

eks ago. I've kept it quiet. Th

ead. "Aria's missing? W

lling y

voice rose. "I haven't heard a word from you in months, and no

ed you to tak

n't come. "Take her place," I

bond has been arranged for years. If she doesn't appear, the treaty

d laugh. "You want me

ly like her. Yo

are the same face, Dad. Our ey

. Magic. Cosmetics. The det

hole conversation felt like a

mon

marrying a stranger. I'm not playing dress-up

is no o

the trea

ly, and a chill slid down my ba

rged through me. "Or what? You'll di

d soft, almost gentle. "Margaret's body is i

ht. "What does

llis Fune

tilted.

grandmother's body goes into the furnace tonight. No ceremony or grave fo

ize. My knees folded. I pressed my p

a threat I did no

e raised me!" My voice broke

exist." His voice didn't change. Not e

ce. "Why are you doi

I have no

always

opped. "Her ashes, or your

o my knee. "If I do this," I forced out, "y

ree

swear

my l

roken sound. "That doesn't

ll I ca

"Fine," I whispe

d gi

like he'd

went on, "Bring nothing. Everything y

ha

at you saw today. Not the prince or his household. If they

over me. "Why wo

dn't

anged. "Dad, I'll play your game. I'll wear Aria's face and sleep i

e went

finally said. "Some answers