Jade was already on her feet.
"I have to go." She shoved the phone into her hoodie pocket and missed the first time. "I have to find him. She's going to—"
"Assieds-toi."
Séverine didn't raise her voice. She didn't have to. Jade froze halfway to the door.
"Assieds-toi, Jade. Tu ne sais même pas où il est."
(Sit down, Jade. You don't even know where he is.)
Jade's face crumpled. She sank back into the armchair and pressed the heels of her hands against her eyes.
Aria looked at her aunt. "Who is Valérie?"
Séverine sat back down. For a moment she just watched the fire, and Aria thought she might refuse to answer.
"La vraie tête des Vipères," she said at last. "Lydia porte la couronne. Valérie tient la laisse."
Jade lowered her hands. Her voice came out wet and hollow. "The real head of the Vipers. Lydia wears the crown. Valérie holds the leash."
Aria let that sink in.
