It wasn’t much to go on, but now Lexana’s behavior sounded out of character. Ren knew her as a soft-spoken girl, polite at parties, nice to her servers. Maybe that was just a front, disguising the power-hungry blackmailer inside.

Don’t jump to conclusions. Still, evidence pointed to her hiding something.

Across the bed, Audrina groaned. “You have your plotting face on, Ren.”

“I’m just thinking Lexana’s behavior is off. Would you mind terribly staying in her service a bit longer? Just to learn what she’s been up to.”

Audrina peered at her, suspicious. “Why?”

Ren’s mind raced. She needed an excuse. One besides I think she could be involved in a blackmail plot against me. “Well, if she is sneaking around on Danton…”

“You want to break them up? I thought you just said you were finished with him.”

Ren affected a sigh. “Can’t a girl want a little revenge?”

Audrina snorted. “Far be it from me, your loyal spy, to question my mistress’s motives.”

She said it like a joke, yet Ren still flinched, stung. “No, Aud, I didn’t mean… I’m sorry. You’re right, I’ve asked too much of you already. I’ll talk to Oruna—”

“Don’t.” Audrina pressed her lips together, clearly still annoyed. “You want to know what Lexana’s up to, so I’ll find out what she’s up to.”

“I don’t want it badly enough to keep you in a miserable situation, Aud. Your friendship means the world to me.”

“In that case, what kind of a friend would I be if I left you hanging now?” Audrina’s tone brightened, though it sounded forced. She rose and reached for the door. “I need to get back to work. I’ll report back soon, I promise.”

Ren sank back into her cushions, exhaustion and guilt warring in her chest. I’ll make it up to her somehow. Though she knew, deep down, she’d made that empty promise before.

Footsteps creaked on the far side of the room. Ren sighed and rolled over. Bright noonday sun painted the curtains. She must have fallen back to sleep after Audrina left.

Mama had returned from her morning errands. “Try and drink a little more water.” Her mother nodded toward the tumbler at her side without quite meeting Ren’s gaze.

“I’ve had enough water.” Ren searched her mother’s face. Mama crossed to the window, hands wrung in a worried gesture Ren recognized. “What’s wrong?”

“You’ll have all the time in the world for news later. For now, you must recuperate.”

She sat upright. “Why? Is the news so distressing it will send me into a fit to hear it?”

Mama dropped into a chair. “You first, Ren. Tell me about your accident.”

“I told you already—”