“It’s Ivan. Not that it will mean anything to you now. You did the right thing calling me.”

The name conjures no image. Triggers no memory.

“How do we know one another?” I ask. “Do you know where my family is? My adoptive parents? Any siblings? I need you to tell me how to find them! All of them.” My voice falters. I feel strangely fragile. Far too vulnerable.

“Audra, are you sure you’re safe? I can’t tell you anything unless you’re safe.”

I glance at Rolan, who slowly sits, gaze fastened on me.

“Yes. I’m with a Watcher.”

“A Watcher.”

“Yes.”

“You’re with someone claiming to be a Watcher.”

“I need to warn my family. He can send someone to get them to a safe house. But I don’t know how to contact them or where they are. I don’t remember their names. And I can’t remember who I knew there, in Europe, but if they’re like me they’re in danger. Please.”

The voice on the other end is speaking, but something else has snared my attention: Rolan’s jacket, gaping open as he leans forward on the sofa. The butt of a gun peers from his side.

“Audra?”

I quickly look away. “Yes.”

The voice says, very low, “Is there someone with you? Clear your throat for yes.”

I quietly clear my throat.

A soft curse from the other end. “Listen to me very carefully. There is no such thing as a Watcher. Your adoptive parents died a few years ago. Anyone close to you knows that. Whoever you’re with, he’s testing you. Get out of there, Audra! If he thinks for a second that you know or remember anything of value, he’ll kill you for it.”

I feel the color drain from my face, abruptly pace to the window, back to Rolan.

“I see,” I say, my voice unsteady.

“Say whatever you have to to get away and call me back at this number. I’ll hold on to it as long as I can.”

The line clicks off.

I stand with the phone to my ear a moment longer, try to collect myself.

“Yes,” I say to the dead line. “Please ask him to call me. No, at this number. I’m sorry to bother you. Okay. Thank you.”

I tap the phone off and exhale a shaky breath before turning around.

Rolan looks expectantly at me. “Well?”

“Well, he definitely thinks I’m off my nut,” I say.

“Who?”

I give a little shrug, mind racing. “This guy named Marko. He recognized my voice, though I guess he only knows me through his brother. He didn’t seem to know what I was talking about.”

“What’s his brother’s name?” He’s staring intently at me now, eyes that should be fatigued crystal sharp.