ill

en inhale. I could only look str

rs. Yet she was older, with silver in her dark hair, and her face had lines telling of

ing to me. "Please, I know t

d softly. "Everyone said

ars on her face. "But I'm okay. I've hidden

alling apart. "You waited

is Camilla. You were my own son's love, they burned you alive. I saw it all

strange writing on it. Years of writing. Names

aid, stepping far b

s mess. The group knew it way before your first day. They knew your kin could smash their grip on this bunch. T

e a dream. Too many bits clicked

in the group. I thought they loved the bunch like I did." She plunked on a rock seat I missed. "When I learned they'd he

again. "What new kid

That babe will come with the strength to cut this bunch from the group's chains. They ho

frail, and my head buzzed. "Wh

w," Elena said plain. "Unless

ck in this place. Goons are right outside. Even if

s I couldn't read. "This key unlocks stuff, sure. But it also unlocks ways to ot

irt to show the shape burned on my side. I

to shield you from fate. I looked for years to keep you safe, but I failed, so I hid.

e?" I questioned. "How'd

d. If you came back, if you needed aid." She got up and walked to the hidden nook

tfalls. Goons switching out, I figured. T

spoke. "Not noon. They're scared if they d

" the next guard piped.

st guard said back. "Council vo

fast. "We gotta dash

. "I gotta know stuff. Who hurt Elin

r. "Camilla, duh. You

the holding roo

he open secret room. He stared at his mom standing by me

e on that word. "How

nds reaching out. "Lu

at me now. And in his eyes, a change flashed quick. Like a

The moves you make, how you st

om so loud, I fe

aid soft, ste

hard, blood pouring out her mouth. Behind, in the dark was a shap

ouncil guy

king into view. "No exceptions. The paren

t hit

't Elin's

s was