set fire to the norms’ homes and businesses and attacked the citizens. All to provoke us. Our people lifted the village’s shield to flash to the Norman town and fight, but Daemoni were already waiting for them. We’ve lost several lives—both Amadis and norms. Including a few . . . children.” Owen’s voice cracked with that last word.
My stomach rolled as if I’d plunged over the highest hill of a roller coaster. I clutched at my chest, finding only leather straps instead of the missing necklace.
“People . . . died . . . for us?” I gasped breathlessly. “We can’t let them keep attacking. Tristan, we have to get out of here.”
“You cannot leave,” Solomon said. “If the Daemoni surround us, you cannot get off the island without being captured . . . or killed.”
I stared at him with disbelief. “We can’t let them kill anyone else because of us.”
Julia piped up again, reminding me I remained connected to her mind. “Even Alexis knows they can’t be here.”
“Yes, she is concerned about everyone else’s safety, but we must keep her protected,” Rina insisted.
“We must let her leave! Let them go, Rina. It is best for everyone.”
Next to me, Tristan murmured, “Give me a moment, my love.”
I let him search for the best solution while Rina and Julia continued in the back of my mind.
“Her safety is paramount to our survival,” Rina said.
Julia blew out a breath. “I didn’t want to do this, but if you don’t let them go, if they don’t leave immediately, I will expose your secret.”
My full attention jetted back to the other room in time to see Rina’s eyes narrow. “What secret?”
“Your secret about the next daughter.”
My breath caught again. Rina knows? She knows about the girl?
“Yes, we should go,” Tristan said at that moment, covering the noise in my throat. “It’s the only way to keep everyone safe.”
I barely heard him, still reeling, as though I’d been punched.
“We’re getting out of here,” I said, again sounding breathless.
“No!” Rina commanded as she burst through the door. “You cannot leave our protection!”
“You choose your own blood over all of the Amadis?” Julia’s thought followed her in, though her body did not. “Do you forget your role?”
Rina’s face blanched, but I didn’t feel sorry for her. Not when her betrayal stabbed me like daggers in the heart. She knew something about our daughter—the very one she dismissed after the council meeting, saying it was a ludicrous idea.
“Yes, I think that’s exactly what we need to do,” I said, trying with everything I had to keep my cool. “We don’t need your protection. Tristan is the most powerful creature on this planet. According to you guys, I might be the second most powerful.”
I didn’t personally believe that last part, but, hell, everyone else did, and it supported my argument. I’d say anything to get out of here.
“Where will you go?” Mom demanded. “You’ll be attacked everywhere.”
I didn’t have an answer, but Tristan did.
“The States, as we’d originally planned,” he said.
“And if she is recognized as A.K. Emerson?” Rina challenged. I knew she didn’t believe that possible. She grasped at straws. Why did she want to keep us from leaving, especially if her secret would be revealed? I didn’t understand her anymore—no, I never really knew her at all.
“We all know I look nothing like the author’s pictures.”
“We’ll use disguises, if necessary, but that’s where Alexis wants to go,” Tristan said. “It takes us away from the direct center of the current action here in Europe, and it’s a place where they likely won’t search for us. They won’t expect us to go anywhere near where we once lived.”
Just then, I realized Julia’s mind signature was still close by—she was listening to our plans. And so was that other signature, which I’d nearly forgotten about.
“Rina, who was with Julia?” I demanded, seemingly out of the blue. She looked caught off guard.
“Nobody,” she said.
“Bullshit!” I ignored my mother’s hiss and persisted. “There was someone else.”
I wanted to tell her about the other mind signature, but I couldn’t. Too many people in the building weren’t aware of my power, and I wasn’t about to try telepathy with her while still minding Julia and the other signature. Too many thoughts to manage safely.
“I do not know what you speak of, Alexis,” Rina said, sounding offended. “It was only Julia. I would have sensed anyone else, would have heard their thoughts.”
Again, I couldn’t say what I wanted to—that it was the traitor who could