As soon as Edith disappears into Helga’s office, my brother turns his back on me. I reach for his shoulder but quickly stop myself. “Wait. Please, it will only take a minute. I have to tell you something important.”
Nils clearly wants nothing to do with me. “What is it?”
The hatred in his voice stings like a slap.
One that I deserve.
“Stay away from Edith,” I warn him, lowering my voice. “She’s dangerous.”
“Dangerous? Coming from you? That’s rich.” He lets out a small, disbelieving laugh, but his smile doesn’t reach his eyes. “If that’s all, I’m leaving.”
Nils won’t listen to me. I have tomakehim.
“There was an attack,” I whisper harshly. “I’m not supposed to tell anyone, but you need to know who you’re spending time with.”
Nils pauses. “An attack?”
“Keep your voice down.” I glance at Helga’s closed door. “A girl isdead, Nils. And Edith is responsible. That’s why Helga wanted to speak with her. You have to be careful. You don’t know what she’s capable of.”
“Who was it?” he asks slowly. “Who died?”
I pause. “A witch. I believe her name was Emilía.”
His eyes shoot wide. “What?Emilía?Iknowher, she’s… she was my friend.” Nils blinks a few times, like he’s trying to make sense of what I said. “That’s not possible. We just gave Edith a tour the other day.” He rubs his face. “Are you sure it was Edith?”
“Not yet.” The file I stole should help, but I can’t mention that to him. I’m sure he’d tell Helga I broke into her office. Warning him about the attack is probably a mistake, but I won’t stand back and watch while Nils is in danger. Not this time.
“IsawEdith,” I add, my sense of urgency rising. “Her hands were covered in blood.” I take a step closer. “Our first attack in years happens as soon as she arrives at Skallagrim? You’re the smart one. You must realize the likelihood of that.”
Nils shakes his head, his curly hair swaying. “No, you’re wrong. Edith isn’t like that. She’s been nothing but nice to me.” His gaze locks with mine, his brown eyes fierce. “Unlike you and Dad.”
“Nils, please,” I say. “She’s dangerous. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
Nils scoffs. “A little late for that, don’t you think?”
His words hit me like a blow to the stomach. I fight to find something to say. Nothing seems like enough. I clench my teeth, trapping any pointless apology I could offer. I should have seen what was going on earlier. I should have recognized that Father’s brutal treatment of Nils went beyond the training ground. I should have stopped it.
I should have done a lot of things.
Instead I hesitated.
I always hesitate.
“Does Dad even know you’re talking to me?” Nils asks.
Another blow. If Father knew I was speaking to him, especiallyaboutthis, I don’t know what would happen. I shake my head stiffly. “Of course not.”
“You should leave, then,” Nils says flatly. “Before we’re seen together.”
He tries, but fails, to keep the bitterness out of his voice. Before I can respond, Nils turns and heads down the hall like he can’t wait to get away from me. It takes everything in me not to follow him.I didn’t know,I want to call after him, but it won’t make any difference.
Excuses don’t matter. Only actions do.
When it mattered most, I did nothing.
My limbs turn leaden. I have to lean against the wall for support. Father is right. I can’t do anything correctly. I revealed a secret I swore not to—and for what? Nils won’t listen. He’s going to get himself killed. I smack my palm against the wall in frustration.
I’m a damned fool.
