“Harrison isn’t going to be joining us. I thought it might be better for just us to talk. I’ve always felt we had a connection, you and I.”

“Yes.”

“That’s one of the reasons this has all been so heartbreaking. You betrayed me, Grace. You used the trust I placed in you to undermine me and our community.”

I dropped my eyes to her shoulder, unable to hold her gaze. “Can you ever forgive me?”

Rose considered before she spoke. “Your greatest mistake was trusting your brother instead of the law. I know the sins here are largely attributed to your brother’s curiosity. That doesn’t excuse your behavior, but it does give it a different tone. And yes, we are taught to forgive. But forgiveness is hard and must be earned.”

“Of course,” I said.

“I must admit I care for you a great deal, Grace. I’ve always seen you as part of my family. A daughter of sorts.”

I wanted to weep there in her office. To fall at her feet and beg her to see me as she once had. To swear I would never betray her again. But I wasn’t sure that would be in my best interest. Rose preferred strength over weakness. It was in part why she disliked my mother, I thought.

“It will take time and work,” Rose continued. “All of Haven Valley will need to be reassured of your commitment to them. You are still committed, aren’t you?”

“Always,” I said, looking back up at her.

“Good. Now tell me what happened beyond the perimeter.”

Be careful, Grace. Bobbie’s words filled my head. Even here, in a place with perfect laws to keep you safe, there is danger. Again, I thought of what Jamie had said to our mother about protecting myself from what was coming.

I cleared my throat. “It took us most of the day to reach the cliff from where we could see the city Jamie spoke of.”

“Most of the day? And no danger along the way?”

“Not that we saw. We knew it would have taken us at least another day’s walk to reach the city, so we stopped for the night. Jamie left to get more firewood.” I looked down at my hands in my lap. To lie or not to lie about my encounter with Bobbie? The moment had come.

Be careful, Grace.

And I made a choice.

“I was waiting for a long time and I started to get worried. That’s when I heard his cries.”

“Jamie’s cries.”

“Yes.”

“And you were alone?” Rose asked.

I nodded. Tears stung my eyes as my memory of those awful cries returned to me. “I should have gone out to find him, but I heard movement in the trees, and I just knew they were out there.”

“You saw the Fury as well?”

“No,” I said quickly. Maybe too quickly.