MANUEL'S POV

The phone was pressed to my ear as I walked into the kitchen. “How many bodies were found at the border?” I asked.

“Three,” he answered on the other end, his voice low. “And they all have that cycle drawing beneath their palm. What did Aurora call it again?”

“Ritual cycle,” I replied, leaning back against the counter, the cold surface steadying me.

“Yeah, that. I mean, if it isn’t connected to Laura’s death, then what does it mean?”

“Did you ...