ian

ala. It was Elder Eleanor's eightiet

lex had ordered. "Something

Silver Lake forest. It was the

eat and judgment. Elder Eleanor sat o

a gift," Alex a

the covered canvas. "Happ

the clo

rang

od ran

crude, grotesque painting of Eleanor's

leanor shrieked.

t mine! I painted the for

he was covering a smirk

egged. "You saw me

at me. He knew. He had to know.

ste," Alex said dismissivel

"She insulted the Matriar

said, trying to de-escalate, but not de

me! Guards

pped back. He didn't stop them. He jus

s," Eleanor

p-that would kill me-but the heavy wood crac

AC

ue to keep fr

AC

h Alex. He was ch

ifference in his eyes. He wasn't a monster who enjoyed my

ike, I was slump

of my sight,"

, I saw Charlotte whisper in

emorized that smile. I