Her voice dies, and when I look up at her, I can read the shock and fear in her eyes. “Your Majesty,” she breathes, fear thick in her voice. “Mira, come here.” But when the girl tries to move, I grip her arms lightly. “No, stay.” My eyes are on the healer. “She’s a shifter.” Terror flashes in her eyes. “I… Mira…” The little girl is beginning to sense that something is wrong, and she tries to pull away from me. Dazed, I hold her tighter and look down at her. “Do you know who I am?” She shakes her head mutely, glancing nervously over her shoulder at Mary. “How old are you?” “S–Six.” “Six,” I breathe in a hushed whisper, a strange emotion burning through me. “Seven years since we… She was pregnant. She was pregnant when they—” Bile rises in my throat. “She has your scent,” Jimmy say

