Chapter 92. The Sister’s Betrayal

Avery’s POV

The garden was quiet, save for the occasional rustle of leaves as a breeze drifted through. I sat on the stone bench, my fingers absently tracing the veins of a fallen leaf in my lap. The air smelled of damp earth and late-blooming roses, but I hardly noticed. My mind was elsewhere, spinning with thoughts I couldn’t quite control.

The thought of my new ability should have thrilled me. Instead, it terrified me.

A shift in the air made me tense. I turned my head slightly, already knowing who it was before he spoke.

Dylan.

He didn’t say anything at first, simply lowering himself onto the bench beside me. I could feel his presence like a tangible force, heavy and unwavering. He wasn’t touching me, but he might as well have been with how aware I was of him.

A long silence stretched between us. I wished he would just leave. I wished he hadn’t come at all. But Dylan never did what I wanted.

“I know who poisoned you.”

His vo