"Whose secret?" I asked, keeping my voice as casual as I could manage.

Maya looked at me, her lips parting slightly like she wanted to tell me, but hesitation flickered in her eyes, holding her back.

Then I remembered her earlier words—about how knowing this secret might cost her life. I raised a hand to stop her. "You don’t have to tell me. I’ll figure it out on my own."

"Elaine, no," she said quickly, shaking her head. "You don’t need to ...