Hope's POV.
They’re all talking at once.
Malakar’s voice is low and steady, like he’s trying to calm a storm that hasn’t started yet. Lucian paces, running through the timing again like it’ll somehow make this safer. Aarden’s asking questions no one is answering. Emory keeps watching me out of the corner of her eye, like she’s waiting for me to crack. Talon’s arms are crossed, brows drawn, the word “reckless” hanging unsaid between every breath. And Dorian—quiet, focused—just watches us all like he’s already thinking ten steps ahead.
I sit in the middle of it, nodding like I’m listening.
But I’m not.
I’ve heard the plan a hundred times.
Get close. Tell him what he wants to hear. Make him believe I’ve turned. Make him believe I want to be with him.
It won’t be hard. Not really.
I kn
