From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

in the center. I crept forward, unsure of what I was even looking for, and
wondering if I’d even know if I found it.
Other than the missing furniture, nothing seemed out of place, but the
room felt oddlyy cold, as if a window had been open, but there were no
windows on this side of the banquet hall.
What had Malessa been doing in here? Reading a book or waiting for
one of the other Ladies in Wait or perhaps Ladyy Isherwood? Or had she
snuck in here to meet with someone she trusted? Had she been blindsided
byy the attack?
A shiver danced down myy spine. I wasn’t sure what was worse—
being betrayyed or blindsided.
Actuallyy, I did know. Being betrayyed would be worse.
I stepped forward, stopping short as I glanced down. Something was
behind the leg of one of the chairs. Bending down, I reached under the
chair and picked up the object. Myy head tilted as I ran a thumb over the
smooth, soft white surface.
It was…a petal.
Myy brows knitted as the scent reached me. Jasmine. For some reason,
myy stomach roiled, which was odd. I normallyy liked the smell.
Rising, I looked to the vase and found the source. Several white lilies
were spaced throughout the arrangement. No jasmine. Frowning, I looked
down at the petal. Where did this come from? I shook myy head as I walked
over to the bouquet, placing the petal in with the rest of the flowers as I
gave the room one last look. There was no blood on the cream carpet,
something that would’ve definitelyy stained if it had spilled.
I had no idea what I was doing. If evidence had been found, it had
been removed, and even if it hadn’t been, I didn’t have experience in this.
I just wanted to be able to do something or to find anyything that would put
our worst fears to rest.
But there was nothing to be done or found here other than what was
most likelyy realityy, and what did I believe about truth? That it often could
be terrifyying, yyes. But with truth came power.
And I was never one to hide from the truth.