A sharp sound rang through the air the crack of breaking wood snapping me back to the present. I turned to see Russell's clenched fists, his lumps white, gripping the table. The weight of the silence between us was too much, thick and unspeakable.
"Avalor," Russell growled, his eyes locked onto mine, "knows more than he's letting on. He's been playing us both."
My heart battered in my chest. "what are you talking about?"
"He's known all along about X's involvement. He's been using it to keep you close, to manipulate you," Russell said, his voice low but edged with anger. "That's why we can't trust him."
I stepped back, the room feeling smaller as I processed his words. "But why wouldn't he tell me?" My voice trembled, the questions coming faster than I could keep up. "What does X want from me?"
