POV: Mina (Age 17)
I made it halfway to the Sterling estate before I stopped running.
My short hair whipped around my face, the ragged cuts I'd made with Rafe's knife uneven and rough. His collar sat heavy around my neck. His Academy letter was clutched in my hand.
But something was wrong.
I stood there in the forest, gasping for breath, and realized what it was.
I'd left Rafe's body in the clearing.
The assassins would find it. They'd take it back to Uncle Mordath as proof. They'd parade it around as evidence that the Oracle twins were dead. They'd probably burn it or desecrate it or use it for some dark Council ritual.
My brother's body deserved better than that.
Through my destroyed throat, I made a sound that might have been a growl or a sob. Then I turned around and started ru
