And I remember something Tilda told me years ago. She said Siren's Call is the most hopeful place in Veritas. Not because of the tavern or the gambling hall or the brothel, but because it's where people come to see their loved ones. I never understood what she meant. Until now.
All those merchants who flood Veneficia Alley, who fill the seats at Siren's and order drinks they barely touch, they're not here for business. They're here to see the children they brought to Lunaris for a better life. Children who don't remember them. Who don't remember the sacrifices that were made for them.
"Ada?" Mara's voice is soft. Concerned. "Are you alright? You're..."
I touch my face. My fingers come away wet.
"I'm fine." I wipe the tears away with the back of my hand and force something like a smile. "Sara's expecting me." I clear my throat. "I don't know who Gerri is, but if she gives you trouble, tell her you're the best alchemy student I've ever taught. Tell her firing you would be a disservice to the Order." I hold her gaze. "And if that doesn't work, come find me. I'll handle it."
She stares at me, speechless. I don't wait for a response. I turn to Mother's office, grip the handle, and throw the door open without knocking. All three Sages turn toward me at once.
Their eyes flash silver in sequence, one after another, like a warning signal. In daylight, they look less menacing than they did in my childhood nightmares. It doesn't matter. I'm not afraid of them anymore.
"Ada." Mother's voice is exhausted. She sits behind her desk like a queen on a crumbling throne.
"Ada." Anala's smile is serene, almost peaceful. She perches on the edge of the velvet couch.
"Temp!" Freida grins from beside her, the only warmth in the room.
Despite everything, Anala's obvious relief and Freida's genuine excitement crack something in my armor. My lips twitch. They rise to embrace me, and I let them. Freida drags over a third chair so we can sit together facing the desk.
Diplomacy wasn't what I came for. On the walk here, I could only envision one outcome: burning this place to the ground. This is better. Probably.
"I went to the Hall of Truth last night." I cut off whatever small talk Freida was about to offer. "I watched the ceremony."
Anala nods slowly. "I thought you might."
"Because you saw it in a vision?"
"No." Her smile turns sad. "I just know you. I'm surprised you didn't go when Sara extended your apprenticeship. But I knew this time would be different."
"Did you want me to see it?"
Freida answers before Anala can. "We knew it would crush you to witness what the Council does. We hated lying to you." She exchanges a glance with Anala. "But we understood why the truth had to stay buried."
My chest tightens. "The Veritas residents—are they?—"
"All here willingly," Freida says quickly. Too quickly.
"What about Lenora?"
Silence. Anala's eyes flash silver. That's enough to answer.
"She's here willingly," Mother says after a long pause.
"Willingly." I let the word hang between us, ugly and hollow. If I hadn't been raised by these women, I might believe her. "Did you take her memories after she made the elixir? Or after she discovered what the Shroud really is?" I lean forward. "Was creating it your plan all along?"
Her eyes blaze silver. "We did not create the Shroud. It is a manifestation of the curse. It existed before the treaty was ever signed. We’ve never lied about that."
"But you took Lenora’s memories." My voice shakes, and I hate it. I hate that this woman can still surprise me. Disappoint me. "You took her memories, and you've done nothing to get my brother back from those monsters."
"We did what we had to do."
My sigil burns beneath my blouse. "What are the Shroudmaidens?"
"We don't know." Her voice is flat. "That is the truth."
"But you do know the Shroud feeds on the memory stones. On all that stolen pain."
