I remember the state in which we found her, and renewed anger and confusion surface. “Well, it certainly seemed like she needed it.” I’d planned to spin the rescue as a benefit to the Families, explain that keeping her is not worth the risk since she’s part of the royal family, but I’m too enraged after witnessing her abused condition.

Kor continues. “We sent you to the heretics’ school to get necessary intelligence, not for you to make friends and help them steal from us.”

“What are you even saying? You’re literally kidnapping people!”

“Almost all the Sires have agreed to cooperate willingly. As soon as we explained the importance of our work and helped them to understand their abilities, they were thrilled to help us.”

“You abducted a child from her home and kept her in abusive conditions—”

“She was not mistreated. We tried to make her comfortable and happy, but she barely ate, and we had to keep her in the cell since she tried to escape, which is dangerous for her in this area at night. Last night she attacked a guard—bit his wrist so hard he bled. That’s the reason we put on the collar. Even so, she shouldn’t have reacted so negatively, and I’m sorry for that.” His brows are knit together, genuine concern in his eyes.

“Yes, she’s chronically ill and needs to be returned home so you don’t unleash the ire of the entire royal family and their guard.”

“Unfortunately, we need her, and I can’t let her go.”

“I don’t… Who even are you right now?” I sniffle and realize I’ve started crying again. Crying because I don’t understand what I’m seeing on this island or how Kor could be a part of it. “Kor, you have to understand, the Makers, they’re not bad—those in charge have made selfish decisions, yes, but they’re good people.”

“Stop, Ada. I defended you when others said they didn’t think you were ready for this job. I believed in you. But they were right; you were easily brainwashed. I’m sure the heretics have many fine qualities, but these are the same people responsible for letting the rest of the world suffer when they had the power to help.”

“Their ultimate goal is to reunite with the rest of the world. They have a prophecy about it and everything!”

“Yes, the Oculus has found evidence of years and years of recorded prophecies that could help the entire world, yet those too they’ve kept only for themselves. The Grand Master won’t be happy to hear about your sympathetic mentality. I’m pulling you from the mission.”

“What? No, you can’t—”

He straightens his back and looks down at me. “I can. I’m the right hand to the Grand Master himself.”