“We’re back for a few days. I’m sure we’ll see you around. You should clean up and get some sleep. You need it.”
He walked away.
Helena stayed curled against the wall, too crushed beneath her despair to move.
“Marino.”
A cool voice jolted Helena awake.
Her eyes snapped open, and she found Ilva Holdfast standing before her, both hands resting idly on the head of her cane. Helena was still huddled against the wall where Soren had left her.
“Let’s have a private chat,” Ilva said, her tone even and emotionless.
Helena’s stomach shrivelled as she stood stiffly.
They went up a floor to Ilva’s office, and she produced a little key from her pocket to unlock it.
Helena had always admired that Ilva never tried to hide her lack of resonance, never acted ashamed or apologetic about it. Even t
