Mom’s features sag. “Not this kind of evil.” She stares out the window at the rain. “This is the kind of darkness that can’t stand even a glimmer of light.” She turns to me, her face lined with tears. “During the wars, they hunted down and killed every member of the Lewis family, save for me.”

My forehead creases as I wait for this news to seep through my mind. Every relative dead? I picture the happy faces in the diplomacy offices. Shock waves run through my body. That can’t be right. “I thought there were Lewises in Lower Purgatory. I wanted to meet them.” Plus Grandma, Dani, and the million other Lewises from the diplomatic offices.

“Those folks have the name, but they’re not part-Furor. None of them have our fight in their veins.” Her bloodshot eyes lock with mine. “The ghouls wiped out anyone who could be next in line for our Senate seat. Anyone who could remember or resist.” Her eyes glisten. “It wasn’t just us; they targeted all Senators.” Her voice breaks, and the sound cracks my heart in a way I never thought possible.

“We can talk about this later.” I half-rise from the bed.

Mom sets her hand on my arm. “No, you’re right. You deserve to know your heritage.”

I sit back down beside my mother, my mind spinning. “I don’t get it. Why did you and I survive?”

Mom bites her lip. “A friend sacrificed everything so I’d be safe. When you were born, the protection applied to you as well.”

My throat tightens. “Who was that person? Was it my father?”

Mom squeezes her eyes shut, fresh tears glide down her cheeks. “That’s all I can tell you right now, Myla.”

I know my mother well enough to realize one thing: that answer means ‘yes.’ Yes, your father died to save us both. And more. A web of dark secrets still hangs around this house. Part of me wants to grab her shoulders, force her to tell me more and tear the sadness from our lives. Another part feels super-guilty for having pushed as hard as I have. She looks red-eyed and miserable.

Trembling, Mom sets her hand over her mouth. “I need some time alone.” She sucks in a shaky breath. “We’ll talk again after Verus’s next visit.”

I rise to my feet. Rage, empathy, and guilt battle it out inside me. I force myself to step toward the door. Best to end this before we both lose it. “Okay, Mom.” I walk away, gently closing the door behind me. Her quiet sobs echo through the house.