Lirael's POV

“Thanks.” She swiped her screen and held it to her ear. “Hi, Mom.” I relaxed, even though I hadn’t known I was tense to begin with.

“Oh . . . I’m just . . . on my way to a . . . friend’s place,” she said, her eyes darting to mine again.

I smiled to myself and turned to face the window, giving her as much privacy as I could, but I couldn’t help overhearing her conversation in the close confines of the car. I gave up trying to avoid listening.

“You know me, I ...