Page 175 of Maksym
“Yes.”
“How?”
“She said he made her feel unwanted.”
“Did she say that meant the bond was false?”
“No.”
“Did she say Sage could replace Nikolay?”
“No.”
“Did she say she desired Sage?”
“No.”
“Did she say she would consent to a ritual altering her bond?”
“No.”
Loralee’s voice had gone smaller with each answer.
I did not raise mine.
“Did Sage tell you there would be such a ritual?”
“No.”
“Did any elder tell you?”
“No.”
“Did you know Madelyn would be drugged?”
“No.”
“Did you know her communications would be intercepted?”
Her head came up, shock raw and immediate. “No.”
“Did you know someone sent messages from her phone?”
“No.”
“Did you know someone answered messages intended for her?”
“No.”
“Had you known, would you have helped?”
Ironwood’s counsel half-stood.
The Magistrate’s staff struck stone once. “The witness will answer.”
Loralee stared at me.
For one moment, she looked angry. Not at me, perhaps. Perhaps at the spell. Perhaps at the dead man she loved. Perhaps at the version of herself that had not asked enough questions because belief had been easier than suspicion.
