“We were busy,” I offered.
Her finger swung toward me.
I took one step back.
Survival instinct. Very healthy.
“Busy?” she said.
“Emotionally, physically, spiritually.”
Aiden closed his eyes.
Thane made the smallest sound behind Perse. Betrayal, probably. Or a laugh trying to die quietly.
Mom stared at me. “Keres Hades Tartarus.”
My full name.
Beautiful.
We had reached the public execution portion of the night.
“Do not Keres Hades me,” I said, because I was brave, stupid, and wanted attention. “I have been through a lot.”
“So have I,” she shot back. “I have been through raising you.”
Fair.
Perse made a sound.
Tiny.
Almost silent.
I turned toward her, half expecting Eden to be offended on our behalf or possibly preparing to reduce my mother to golden ash for yelling at her
