I hurried away from Aurora, my heart still pounding. Her threat echoed in my head: "Next time, I won't be so easy on you."

I barely slept. All night, I kept seeing Rael's intense stare and Kael's calm, knowing eyes. I could still feel the weight of that dagger in my hand, the one I never should have caught.

The next morning, I threw myself into work. Cleaning, organizing, staying invisible. It was easier to be Marin the maid than Liah the... whatever I really was.

I was picking ...