Chapter Ten
Ransom, step forward,’ said Dad.
My heart filled with pride that Dad would let him join the ritual—without prior warning, and without parents. I wished I deserved to be his daughter.
Ransom shuffled between the rows of staring adults and stood facing Dad and Mum. Everyone could see he was tall enough to be declared an adult, but everyone also knew he wasn’t from Luar.
Dad laid his hands on Ransom’s shoulders and turned him to face the hall. ‘Who will speak for this child?’
People twisted in their seats to see. Chairs scraped and creaked as their owners searched one way and then another.
So much for everyone being solemn and still.
I looked straight at Ransom’s adopted parents. They were more than half asleep, drowsy from the ritual, and hadn’t noticed the sudden tension
