d my arms before

I twisted between them. "Sh

h the crowd. Every c

d to her chest like

ars. She's my adoptive sister. She was always jealous of me. She stole

s not

the car." Tessa touched the locket and

were watery and tired, full of a grief

, I thought he

ed his hand, and

softly. "I won't have h

plea

e steps. Calm. Flat. "She's my witness in

. "Then lock her up

at was

east wing. Concrete walls. One vent

there, easy. After the gas s

her thirties with a buzz cut and a scar th

ve water?

hen she set a half-liter bottle insid

otocol. But I drank it slowly

oom for three hours

walk

r hair was done. Her nails were done. She smell

the door

id. "Sitting in a clo

. "Does Grandpa k

sweet, June. He cried for an hour. He bought me six dresses. Do you know how much wa

me, careful not to let

statement. Then you go back to the desert whe

und me l

lipped. Jus

," sh

, Tessa. Why did Mom keep that locket in a loc

dn't a

. She was terrified of it." I nodded at her throat

ut

know what t

flew to t

rack in her face.

You have the key, and you hav

lappe

apped twice in two days.

at her with

randpa might notice t

st she almost trip

ed. "It's the best room you'

oor s

ed again. Brooks. And

doorway with his hands in his

did t

ripp

ive set of nails,

one look, and

ent," h

front tooth and a broken nose, which he got from me. They talked about trading at the Cutter camp, which meant they

ened with

he was quiet fo

honest," he said, "o

do you

en't d

, but I made them hold. "Why did you look

behind his eyes.

aid. "You'll work for your water like everyone el

ned to

move. She clea

d at me, almost sorry. "Miss Juniper wants a personal maid f

aid no

rooks added quietly, "she wan