11
A few minutes later, Lincoln and I step into my parents’ kitchen. The room is wall-to-wall gadgets and stainless steel. Like I said, ghouls love technology. Everyone’s seated around our long table, including Mom, Dad, Lucas, and Cissy. My bestie is still in her Senatorial robes; we must have pulled her out of an official function. Lucas is in his long wizard robes. He’s an older dude with olive skin and long gray dreads.
Lincoln and I say our hellos—including an extra-long hug for Ciss—and then we take our seats at the metal table. A long pause follows. For a second, it’s like I’ve time-warped back to the Arena again. I’m twelve and frightened. Then I picture my honorary older brother shooting me that encouraging thumbs-up. Maybe I can’t save Walker and Drayden, but I can keep trying.
