Chapter 74 First Fractures

• The tension between Apollo and me still lingered in the air, even as I returned to my seat, trying to maintain my composure after his less-than-traditional introduction. It was clear there was an electric spark between us, one that, if ignited, could set everything around us ablaze.
• But there were others in the room. As soon as I sat down, a woman rose from her place, approaching with a firm yet serene elegance. Her red hair was tied in a delicate bun, her dress understated but refined. There was something about her that radiated power, but in a gentle, almost maternal way.
• “Miss Sánchez…” Her voice was soft, a touch of warmth in the chilly atmosphere of the mansion’s dining hall. “I’m Bonnie Spanos, Apollo’s mother.”