Elise's expression turned sad. "Yeah."
There was an awkward silence before Uncle Jin cleared his throat. "Does Thea know the secret of Elena's birth?"
"Like you said, the fewer who are privy to a secret the better the chances of it remaining a secret."
"Who does she think Elena belongs to?"
Elise's lips quirked. "I may have led her to believe Ryan and I had a brief fling."
"Smart," Uncle Jin said.
Elise's expression was wry. "I thought so."
Elena's gaze followed Elise as her egg donor rose. "Where are you going?"
"I can't linger. They'll be watching me." Elise looked at Uncle Jin. "Do you have a plan?"
"The makings of one."
"Good," Elise said with obvious relief. “I won't ask for the details since I'm compromised. I can't be trusted."
"Come with us," Elena said impulsively as Elise moved to the door.
Now that the invitation was out, Elena found she liked the sound of it. Hope spread through her.
"When Auntie arrives, take her hand and allow her to pull you out of this place," Elena pleaded, meeting her mother's eyes.
Despite everything, the little girl inside Elena still held hope that her mother could be saved. That, deep inside, she was the person Elena had always believed her to be.
If Elise really was telling the truth about wanting Elena, she would take this offer. All she had to do was meet her in the middle. Not even half way. Just lift her hand so Elena and Auntie could grab hold.
"I'm afraid not, little bird," Elise said, destroying the last of Elena's hope.
Alright then. That was that.
Her mother didn't want her? Fine. Her aunts and uncle were more than enough for her.
Elena swallowed hard, notching her chin up to meet the egg donor's gaze. "Is it because of them?"
Stop it, she told herself. She already gave her answer. Don't open yourself to any more hurt.
"Are they older or younger than me? My half siblings or full?"
She supposed it didn't matter. It was selfish, but she already hated them either way.
Elise's expression softened. Her hand dropped from the door as she turned and went to her knees in front of Elena, reaching for her cheek. "Oh, my darling, it's not like that."
Elena slapped her hand away, backing out of reach. "What's it like then? I want to know the reason I wasn't good enough. Is it because I'm half human? Or did you just never want me?"
She was a mistake, after all. An accident. A freak who should never have existed in the first place.
Elise grabbed Elena, pulling her into a fierce hug. "I wanted you more than anything."
Elena lost the fight against her tears. They rolled down her cheeks as she hung in her mother's embrace, not able to return it despite having dreamt of this moment for years.
Elise pushed Elena away to look into her face. "Before your aunt and uncle, I was an empty shell of a woman. I didn't experience emotion. I didn't understand it. Joy. Sorrow. These were only words other people used to legitimize their actions. Your aunt and uncle gave me back my humanity. They broke me out of my cocoon and showed me that surviving wasn't living. Your father taught me what love was. That to protect it sometimes sacrifices had to be made, but that it was always worth it." Elise wiped the tears from Elena's face, affection shining from her eyes. "But you, my dear, you gave me a heart and a soul. You are the only reason they didn't completely brainwash me."
"Then why?" Elena demanded with a broken sob.
"Because they're mine," Elise declared. "They deserve better than this fate. Just like we deserved better. I had no part of their making but that doesn't change the fact that they're embedded in my soul the same way you are."
Elena couldn't control her tears. They fell from her eyes. A lifetime's worth.
Uncle Jin draped his tail around the back of Elena's neck, giving it a small squeeze. A hug. Her first one from him.
"You lied to Kira," Uncle Jin said quietly. "You're not here for the generals."
"I did; and I didn't. Lothos and his allies are trying to do something important. They're worth saving. I know you and Kira don't see it because of your history with them, but I'm betting she’s beginning to."
Elise nodded at Elena.
Uncle Jin's silence held a grudging note, but he didn't argue.
"Never doubt my love for you," Elise told Elena, rising. "It's the only thing I have left to offer you."
A whimper tried to crawl out of Elena's throat as Elise strode out of the room without a single look back. Tears were useless. They wouldn't bring her mother back. And they wouldn't save her when the Osiri came for her.
"It will be alright, dear heart," Uncle Jin whispered, cuddling against her neck as she walked over to close her door. "We'll find a way through this. I promise you, Elena."
Elena barely heard him as she caught sight of Kai watching Elise from the shadows of the rock garden. "Oh no."
"Shit," Uncle Jin cursed as Kai looked in their direction.
He tucked himself under Elena's hair, going very still as Kai crossed the room.
"You're familiar with the masters' toy?" Kai asked, arching an eyebrow at Elena.
She stiffened, her eyes narrowing at the pejorative term in reference to her mother.
Uncle Jin squeezed the back of her neck. "Easy."
Elena took a breath, expelling it lightly as she met the other's probing gaze. "I don't know what you're talking about. She was in my room when I returned. I thought you sent her."
"What did you two talk about?"
"You'll have to ask her." Elena sent the Sye a cocky look. "I'm not at liberty to say."
Elena gave herself a mental pat on the back. With how rigid Tsavitee society was, Kai probably wouldn't question her further if the Sye thought the discussion was considered Top Secret.
The trick always worked for Tommy. She hoped it would do the same for her.
The moments dragged by as the Sye studied her.
"You're doing good," Uncle Jin whispered. "You just have to fool them a little longer."
Elena really hoped so. Maintaining an innocent expression for this long was difficult. Any moment she might break and give away her fib.
Fyr cleared his throat, making his presence known.
The Sye frowned at him. "What is it? Can't you see I'm busy?"
Fyr's expression remained blank as he stepped closer, lowering his voice to speak into the other's ear.
"I see." Kai looked over at Elena to give her a cold smile. "We'll pick this up at a later date."
"Looking forward to it," Elena chirped.
Kai strode away. Fyr lingered, studying Elena for a moment before following.
Elena's breath whooshed out of her as she bent forward to set her hands on her knees, her relief making her light headed. "Did you do that?"
Uncle Jin rubbed his cheek against Elena's in comfort. "What do I always say, Elena mine? Never bring a pulse pistol to a fight of improvised explosives."
Elena straightened. She was pretty sure she'd never heard Uncle Jin say that.