The words on the wall wouldn't leave my mind.
SHE WAS NOT THE FIRST ONE THEY CHAINED.
I kept staring at them long after the others had stopped speaking.
My fingers were still wrapped around Kael's.
His warmth should have comforted me.
It didn't.
Something inside me had gone cold.
"Lyra."
I blinked.
Kael was watching me.
"What?"
"You've been staring at that carving for minutes."
"I know."
"Are you all right?"
I wanted to say yes.
I couldn't.
"I think my mother knew about this place."
Damian stepped closer.
"Your mother?"
I nodded.
"The carving showed her."
Kael's expression tightened.
"Then maybe there are more memories hidden here."
I looked at the wall.
"I don't want to remember."
The words surprised even me.
Kael squeezed my hand.
"Why?"
"Because every time I
