Wait. “You’re a death-speaker?”

“Technically? No. I didn’t inherit my mother’s gift of seeing the dead.”

I’m still reeling. “Why didn’t you tell me before?”

She raises a shoulder. “It didn’t seem like you understood any of it. I figured you’d talk to me when you were ready and I’d explain then.”

Part of me is hurt Lennon knew what I’d been going through and didn’t offer to help, but the other part of me understands. She’d tried to reach out. She’d invited me to hang out this week, and I blew it off.

“I’m guessing you’re the reason for all the ravens?” she says.

I nod once and give a shortened version of what happened last night during and after the forced queen’s ransom and the Order’s belief I will be safe at Temple this weekend. I leave out Lily’s resurrection and that I’m the Eurydice.

After a moment, Lennon asks, “Do you want to escape?”

Yes…but something keeps me from saying that out loud.

“I can help you,” she adds.

“Why? They’ll just come after you.”

She smiles, but it’s a strange smile—challenging, as if she’s saying I’d like to see them try. I shiver.

“I hate shadow knights,” she says at last. The use of the word hate surprises me, but then she says, “They killed my mom.”

Her words slice through me and settle in my stomach, sharp as knives, and yet my brain can’t comprehend. Did she just say a shadow knight killed her mom? Why? When? How long has she lived with this secret? How long has she known she’s surrounded by shadow knights?

“Lennon…I…”

“Don’t be sorry,” she says quickly. “Just don’t trust the Order.”

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Shy and the Revelation

I know something bad has happened when I arrive at school because Natalie’s waiting in the parking lot for me. It reminds me of the day she broke the news that Lily’s relationship with a human was posted on Roundtable.

I immediately think of Anora.

Turns out, I’m not far from the mark. She shows me a series of posts about Anora that reveal her real name and link her to the murder of Chase Lockwood. This has negative consequences for Anora on all levels but also puts her in danger from human and Valryn alike—really, anyone who wants revenge for Chase’s death. There are Valryn who care very little that she was defending herself when one of their own died, and they think she should be punished.

I meet Natalie’s gaze. “Where is she?”

She hesitates. “Don’t get mad at me.”

My heart beats hard in my chest. Oh no. “What did you do?”

“I told Dad about the posts,” she admits.