Pulses hammered against Daisy's temples. The aftershocks of Kai's kiss still vibrated on her lips, a confusing counterpoint to the chilling words she'd just overheard. Isabel, her mother, 'The Veil' – the pieces spun in a chaotic kaleidoscope. Kai's gaze, dark and intense, still lingered on her. He had almost kissed her again. The boldness of it, the electric current that had sparked between them, felt wrong, yet undeniably potent. "We need to get out of here," Daisy whispered, her voice rough. Her fingers fumbled for the doorknob, the metallic chill a stark contrast to the heat blossoming in her cheeks. He nodded, stepping back, creating a sliver of space between them. The air in the opulent study, still heavy with the scent of old leather and the lingering presence of the men, felt suffocating. They slipped out, a pair of shadows melting into the vibrant hum of the gala. Music swelled in the main ballroom, a classical piece that felt utterly out of place given the insidious secrets crawling beneath the surface. Laughter tinkled, glasses clinked. The faces around them were masks of polite indifference, hiding God knew what. Daisy scanned the crowd, her eyes sharp. She searched for Sasha, a desperate need for clarity overriding the lingering confusion from Kai. Sasha. Her best friend. The person who knew almost everything about her. Could she truly be involved with 'The Veil'? The thought twisted Daisy's stomach into a knot. It was unthinkable. Sasha, with her bright smiles and fierce loyalty, a pawn in this dark game? Or something worse? "You alright?" Kai's voice was low, close to her ear. He watched her, his expression unreadable, a silent protector in a world suddenly teeming with threats. She shook her her head, a tremor running through her. "I need to find Sasha." Her voice was tight, strained. The betrayal, still a nascent thing, already clawed at her throat. He didn't argue. He simply moved with her, a silent, watchful presence as they navigated the throng of elegantly dressed guests. Each face they passed seemed to scrutinize them, a paranoid delusion blooming in Daisy's mind. Finally, she spotted Sasha near the dessert table, laughing with a group of people. Her dress, a shimmering emerald green, caught the light, making her seem vibrant, carefree. The sight stabbed Daisy with a fresh wave of nausea. How could she look so normal? So oblivious? Or was it an act? Daisy pushed through the crowd, Kai a step behind her. Her heart pounded a frantic rhythm against her ribs. "Sasha." The name was a raw rasp on Daisy's tongue. Sasha turned, her smile faltering as she saw the grim set of Daisy's face, the accusation blazing in her eyes. "Daisy! Hey, where have you been?" Sasha's voice was too bright, too forced. She glanced at Kai, a flicker of unease crossing her features. Her friends, sensing the shift in atmosphere, began to subtly disperse. Daisy ignored the pleasantries. She grabbed Sasha's arm, her grip surprisingly strong. "We need to talk. Now. Somewhere private." Her voice was low, dangerous. The venom she felt for 'The Veil' was now directed at the one person she never thought it would be. Sasha's eyes widened. She swallowed hard, her cheerful mask cracking. "Daisy, what's wrong? You're scaring me." "Scaring you?" Daisy scoffed, a bitter laugh escaping her lips. "Don't you dare play innocent with me." She tugged Sasha away from the lingering onlookers, pulling her towards a quieter hallway, Kai following silently. They found an empty alcove, dimly lit by a single ornate sconce. Daisy released Sasha's arm, stepping back. Her chest heaved, rage and hurt warring within her. She pointed a trembling finger at her friend. "'The Veil'. What do you know about it?" The words were sharper than she intended, slicing through the manufactured calm of the gala. Sasha flinched, her face draining of color. Her eyes darted around, searching for an escape, a denial. A fresh wave of tears welled up, her lower lip trembling uncontrollably. "Daisy, I..." She choked on the words, her voice barely a whisper. "I can't..." "Don't lie to me, Sasha!" Daisy's voice rose, a raw cry of anguish. "I heard them. In the study. They talked about Isabel. They talked about *you*. They said you were sending them information!" Sasha collapsed against the wall, sliding to the floor, her hands flying up to cover her face. Deep, shuddering sobs wracked her body. The emerald dress, so vibrant moments ago, seemed to mock her distress. "I'm so sorry, Daisy!" Her voice was muffled, thick with tears. "I never wanted to! You have to believe me!" Daisy felt a profound coldness spread through her. This wasn't a denial. This was a confession. Her best friend, the one person she had trusted unequivocally, was involved. The betrayal was a physical blow, knocking the wind from her lungs. "Why, Sasha?" Daisy's voice was hollow. "Why would you do this? To me? To Isabel's memory?" Sasha slowly lowered her hands, her face streaked with tears, eyes red-rimmed and bloodshot. "They... they made me. They threatened my family. My little sister, Lily. They said if I didn't cooperate, something terrible would happen to her. To my parents." Her voice cracked, raw with desperation. "What was I supposed to do, Daisy? They knew everything. Where Lily went to school, my dad's work schedule. They showed me pictures. Proof. I had no choice!" Daisy stared at her, the initial surge of anger slowly giving way to a sickening blend of pity and utter devastation. Sasha's fear was palpable, real. But the hurt remained, a gaping wound where trust had once resided. "You should have told me," Daisy whispered, her own tears starting to prick at her eyes. "We could have figured something out. Together." Sasha shook her head frantically. "They wouldn't let me. They said if I told anyone, *anyone*, it would be worse. They monitor everything. My calls, my messages. I've been living in a nightmare, Daisy. Every day, pretending, smiling, while this... this monster held my family hostage." Kai stepped forward, placing a hand gently on Daisy's shoulder. His presence was a quiet anchor in the storm. He hadn't said a word, just watched, absorbed, processed. "What did they want?" Kai asked, his voice calm, cutting through Sasha's choked sobs. "What information were you giving them?" Sasha gasped, trying to compose herself, wiping furiously at her tears. "Just... just things about you, Daisy. Your schedule. Who you hung out with. What you talked about. They wanted to know if you were looking into things. If you suspected anything." "And the information about Isabel?" Daisy pressed, her voice trembling. "What did they ask you about my mother?" Sasha looked up, her eyes wide with a fresh wave of terror. "They... they were asking about something specific. They kept mentioning an object. They said your mother hid it. They're looking for the 'Aethel-stone.' Your mother hid it."

Chapter 30: Betrayal's Sharp Sting