This story takes place in January, during the novel Ashes of Deceit [in the Amaranthine Saga]. It begins in Florida, eight days after Kioko's story.

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Tellith wedged the blade under the loose paint. He scraped, watching the bits drop down to the plastic, like faded rain. With a flick of his wrist, he started again on another chunk. Scrape. Rain. Scrape. Rain. Scrape. Rain.

He blew a frizzy curl off his forehead and looked at his brother. The ...