illusionist like Beck.
Or Henry.
My hand claps over my lips as my heartbeat thrashes in my ears. It’s impossible. Henry refused to leave Eloise’s side. Plus, there’s no way he would know where we were.
Or would he? He’d been working with Crispin in the Agricultural Center. Perhaps Crispin alerted Henry to our arrival?
My stomach rolls and I wrap my arms around myself. What if that was the plan all along? To make it seem as if they’d been attacked the night of Kyra’s binding so Henry or Beck could get close to Mother and me.
He told me once he was jealous of her and that’s why he joined forces with the group that killed my father.
The door squeaks open and the hair on my neck pricks up.
“Good evening, Lark.”
I turn my head slowly. My uncle and Eloise stand in the doorway, waiting for my greeting. “Hello,” I say, dully.
They join me before the fire and I notice how close they sit to each other on the couch. Their knees touch, and Henry keeps his hand on Eloise’s forearm. She once said she’d never be interested in Henry, but I guess that’s changed.
Or it’s one more deception on their part.
“You wanted to see me?”
Eloise’s hair glints copper and orange in the firelight. “I miss you! All you do is work, work, work.” Her eyes crinkle around the corners. “I thought maybe you and I could do some magic. Practice where we left off?”
I narrow my eyes. “Why?”
Her smile fades. “I thought it would be fun.”
My tongue presses against the back of my teeth as I study the two of them. A curious look flashes in Henry’s eyes and I can tell he’s concerned about my reaction.
“Not to get a better handle on my abilities?”
“Lark! What in the world is wrong with you?” Henry asks. “Eloise wants to enjoy time with you and you’re accusing her of spying?”
Miss Tully slips between us and sets the tea service on the low table. As she passes me, she gives my shoulder a soft squeeze. It’s such a Bethina thing to do that tears sting in my eyes.
Damn it. I promised myself I was done crying.
“I…I…” The fog drifting through my mind recedes a little. “I don’t know what I’m doing. Annalise said that if I took control of the State, everything would be better, but it’s not. I’m making a mess, and I don’t know what to do.”
Henry reaches over takes my hand. His olive green eyes search my face. “Did Malin do something to you? When you first arrived?”
I jerk my hand away. “She helped me remember who I was.”
“By hurting you?” Henry speaks in a soft, soothing tone.
“No.” I pick at my fingernails. “Maybe. She set me on fire, once.”
Eloise’s mouth drops open. “She did what?”
I shrug. “It’s nothing. I did the same to Ryker when I needed to teach him a lesson.”
Henry’s face twists into a weirdly pinched look. “Did she ever tell you about Northwoods and Bethina?”
“Yes. I know Bethina was her step-sister and that you are their half-brother. I also know she killed your mother.” I squint at him. “I thought you were tongue tied.”
“The spell broke when Malin died.” Henry shifts uncomfortably. “When Malin came into her powers, she locked my mother in a room and tried to confuse her by switching day and night. But she took the magic too far and it turned lethal. She blew up our home to hide what she’d done.”
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because my sister has done that to many Light witches. It’s her way of ‘helping’ them.”
“Is it possible your mother brainwashed you?” Eloise asks.
“Of course not! She loved me!”
“Did she lock you in a room and make you think you were crazy?” Henry counters.
I wilt against the chair. The memory of the fireballs burning my skin races through my mind. The lack of contact with anyone other than her. The way she kept repeating what she wanted me to say.
“Yes,” I whisper.
Annalise bursts from the empty space near the table and shoves herself between Henry and me. “What are you two doing? Who gave you permission to speak to Lark?”
I push myself up so that I’m facing Annalise directly. My sister-in-law is taller than me, but I’m stronger and she knows it. “I wanted to speak to them. Is that a problem?”
She smiles coolly. “Of course not, but I have to think of your safety. They’re Light witches.” There’s a tiny hint of nervousness to her voice. “Not to