Kaelith/Reckoning’s POV

"You planning to say something, or do I have to drag it out of you?" Dad asks, his patience clearly hanging by a thread.

I’ve been sitting here for hours, not saying much of anything. He didn’t press me earlier, but I guess that window of mercy has closed.

"Just been busy, that's all," I reply, forcing the lie out as casually as I can.

"Sure you have," he shoots back, skepticism dripping from his ...