Matilda was still nowhere to be seen. Furious, I stormed into the council hall.

My heart was beating so quickly that I thought it may explode, and my chest constricted. Anger couldn't wait, but panic could.

"Where is she?" I insisted.

The council elders froze. Standing up, one of the oldest cleared his throat. "Maya, Matilda, she—"

Excuses were not what I wanted to hear. Furthermore, I most certainly did not want to hear any more lies. I was tired of hearing about them. Before I ...