ALEXANDER
I had to lean against the edge of my desk to keep me steady. I wanted to get angry at her for keeping it away from me. I wanted to express my disappointment.
But nothing came out.
I couldn't bring myself to speak. My mind was moving too quickly, going through every possibility and rejecting each one almost as quickly as it appeared.
There was only one explanation that made sense. I already knew the answer... I just needed to hear it from her.
"Mom..." I paused, tightening my grip around the phone. "It's the dark magic, isn't it?"
Helen didn't answer directly. She didn't say yes, and she didn't deny it either. She took a slow breath.
"I knew what I was getting into before I did it, Alexander."
That was enough. I had my answer. I leaned more heavily against the desk, starin
