"Mom, why would you do such a thing?" Aeron's voice sounded hurt in every word. "Why would you speak to her like that? She's done nothing but care for me, help me. She's saved my life more times than I can count, and you know it."
Elarya's jaw tightened. "No. She has not saved you. She has brought this upon you. She caused all of this. They caused all of this."
Aeron blinked, frowning. "They? What do you mean they? It's just her, and she didn't do anything wrong. She didn't ask me to go anywhere. In fact, she told me not to expose myself!"
Elarya's eyes flashed with a mix of pain and frustration. "She told you that… and you believed her? You really believe her?" She shook her head slowly. "That is how they are, Aeron. Full of sweet words. But underneath, they are manipulators. All of them. You just won't understand."
"I do understand!" Aeron's voice cracked with emotion.
