She answered the questions robotically. She pushed down any and all of the emotions that threatened to rise up and choke her. She both hated and loved her mother to varying degrees at different times. It was a dichotomy she was used to. Right now, even as worried as she was, she hated Devi. She hated Devi for putting her in this position. Emma hated her for abandoning her and Kirra in her grief. She hated her mother for leaving Emma to explain her disappearance to Kirra.

The call with ...