a's

ago," Vera said. "He hasn't been seen in public since.

make it. His grandmother, Edith Howell, consulted a healer. The healer told her tha

I let out a cold laugh. That hea

ted the benefits of tying themselves to the Howell family, but

r biological daughter, the one they sa

ything about it?" Vera a

hand, thinking it throug

t ask questions, simpl

. "This is your new phone, along with

a small smile. "Exa

ck, I lived with my adoptive fath

People around me always treated me with respect and

estate, I lost Lyra and was locked away in an a

e current power dynamic

ly. Everything I was abou

r prepare anything for me. In their eyes, J

left, there was anot

he person outside, Lyra stirred, b

opened

wl of soup. She'd been Janice's shadow since sh

casual glance. S

ou," Rhea said sweetly, but her eyes held no re

I already had a good idea w

it

nd make sure you drink

ong second, then forced

whole thing in one go. Then I hande

on passed over her face

aralyzing powdered herb into the air around her, and said calmly, "Tell

a's

Nira's room, sneering to myself. Janice's

. Suddenly, a cold gust of wind blew through the closed hallway, extin

heart pounding. Ju

d like someone I knew. Som

ul was too weak. I couldn't see

g games!" I shouted, tryi

ice. Then a shadow rushed towa

ed. It w

ooked after she died-twisted,

five years ago. She fell from the top fl

hrough broken glass. Cold, haunted.

, trembling. "No... it w

fingers were broken, nails rip

"I'm in so much p

I lost control of my body. Finally,

oft, cold scoff. Then

the one standing in