Chapter Fifty-Two
Malachi's POV
Dinner was quieter than usual. Just the three of us at the long table. Me, Alicia, and Sophie. The rest of the family was at some charity event I'd refused to attend. I had no interest in playing nice with people I despised.
Sophie was talking about her day, something about a book she was reading. Some fantasy story with dragons and princesses. She was animated, her hands moving as she described the plot. I found myself listening, actually paying attention instead of letting the words wash over me like I usually did with meaningless conversation.
"And then the princess found out she had magic powers," Sophie said excitedly. "But she didn't know how to control them yet. Do you think that's scary? Having power you can't control?"
"Yes," I said. "Very scary."
Alicia's eyes flicked to me across the table. She'd been quiet most of the meal, picking at her food more than eating it. Something was bothering her, but I couldn't tell what.
