Stone Circle Jumble of thoughts

Of all the things she expected, this was not the answer. Valette turned fully to Laurel. Merrick... Where did she know that name from? She couldn't place where she heard it. What struck her the most was that Laurel said this about her own son. She opened her mouth to say something but then closed it again. She was a bit surprised by it all. Valette had to gather her thoughts for a moment. "Why would you say that?," she asked, trying to keep the shock out of her tone.

She never realized Laurel had such thoughts like this. Valette couldn't even think of wishing her children any ill, even though one of them seemed to think that. She wondered what triggered such reaction from Laurel. Valette just hoped the female was open enough to share that with her.