“Keeping that information from you was wrong,” Ava signs.
Tiernan stands off to the side between us. “Now’s not the time, Ava,” he says.
“Letherdecide that.” Ava’s glower is cold.
“I want to know what she has to say,” I sign. I don’t bother opening my mouth to speak and let my hands do all the talking.
Ava nods and continues. “No one told me the truth about you. I figured it out on my own.”
My brows lift. “Which part?”
“All of it. I remember overhearing my parents’ conversations about the queen when I was just a child. I knew she was a Basduun—which is unheard of nowadays. So, when another Basduun showed up in the Verge, looking an awful lot like my father …”
“How did you know I was Basduun? Did your parents tell you?”
She shrugs and the corner of her lips curve up in half a smile. “I can sense it. Just as the fanatic apparently can.”
Still frowning, I turn to Tiernan. As a Mimic, he would’ve sensed if she had powers, wouldn’t he? “You knew?” I ask.
He shakes his head. “I had a feeling she wasn’t entirely Ordinary, but I assumed it was just dormant Mage blood running through her because of Alys’s powers. Since …” He quirks a brow. “I didn’t sense any Wielding capabilities. Whatareyour powers?”
Ava deadpans. “It’s personal.”
My temples throb even more. I start to walk again, but Ava sets herself firmly in my path.
“There are two groups searching for you. Which means that your presence here puts the Verge at risk.”
“Ava!” Tiernan exclaims.
Ava pays him no mind. “The word from Outside is that the Purists are like bloodhounds. Theywillfind you.”
My stomach clenches.
“I’m not saying you need to flee the Verge just for the hells of it. I’m saying that you should try to get information from the fanatic. If you want answers, that is. She might be barking mad, but she’s not afraid to hurt your feelings. She wants you dead, and I’m certain she’d tell you why.”
I flinch unwittingly.
“If you want answers, go talk to the Purist.”
I draw in a breath to ask her exactly what she means, but she turns and walks back toward her home.
I don’t realize I’m trembling until Tiernan places a hand on my back. I recoil, and he lets his hand drop. “I just wanted to ask you if you want to go home.”
I wipe more tears from my eyes. “No,” I say. “I want to talk to the Purist.”
He looks taken aback, but he pulls in a deep breath, his chest expanding. “Do you feel ready to face that woman? If you’re even allowed?”
My teeth worry at the corner of my lip for a moment. He’s not wrong. Right now, I feel like throwing shadows at people, like screaming, like crying. Dayfyd is my father. Thequeenis—was—my mother. The fanatic called me the lost heir.
But I needto know more. “Tiernan, I have to talk to her. I can’t … not know the truth,” I sign. “I’ve lingered in ignorance for too long.”
He rubs the back of his neck and shifts on his feet, clearly uncomfortable with me facing the Purist. “Alright,” he says. “Your choice. If you want to face her, I’ll support you. But you’ve just been hit with a lot of shocking information. It might be best if you go in there with a clearer head. Allow yourself to process everything first. Sleep on it?”
My lips part to let another protest through, but Tiernan gently places a hand on my shoulder and signs one-handed for a couple of words.
“I know this is bothering you. I understand, truly. What if we go there first thing in the morning?”
I heave a sigh and nod. “Alright.First thingin the morning.”
