Chapter 101. How Useful

Gavriel’s words still lingered in the air. “Tell me, how should I deal with you?”

Althea’s heart hammered against her ribs. His voice was sharp, but his eyes—those eyes that never looked away—were heavy with something else. She swallowed hard, forcing her trembling hands to stay still.

“You deal with me,” she said softly, “by seeing me for who I am… not for what my father has done.”

His gaze darkened. He stepped closer until the space between them nearly vanished. “The world sees Cain’s daughter. They see betrayal in your blood. They demand I lock you away. Some even want you dead. Should I ignore them?”

Althea lifted her chin even as fear rushed through her. “I am not him. I saved those people. If I carried his cruelty in my veins, would I have done that?”

His jaw tightened. The fire in her voice seemed to disarm him for a moment, and that was all it took for her courage to hold.

“You ask me to trust you,” he said.

“No,” she w