Chapter Thirty-Seven
The Lost One
In the never-ending silence, Lind rocked herself back and forth. After a while, she leaned forward and counted her toes again … still ten. Her boots were gone – who knew where? Where did things go when they were lost in Qalān? The voices had started, but she knew they were lying. No one was looking for her. Soon she would die and her toes would drop off …
Lind? LIND?
She looked up. Her boots were talking to her now? She must be mad.
“Lind, darling?” a soft voice said. “Oh my baby, my blessing, I’ve missed you so much!”
“Mother?” The word seemed obscenely loud and she cringed as Qalān reacted with a violent shaking.
“Why did you leave me?” her mother said. “I cried for you.”
Lind shook her head. “No! Mother! I didn’t leave you,” she whispered. “I wo
