Page 127 of Hunger & Harmony

Selene rests back again. Her eyes close, and a small grimace twists her stained mouth. Cass tucks the sheet around her, helping her to get comfortable. My heart physically aches, splitting apart. She’s always been the steadiest, most unbreakable force. This isn’t fair.

After he stands, Cass looks to Ryel and Ezren.

“Please watch over her. She’s still very weak.”

“Of course.”

They both say it in unison. I guess there’s no seeing Niko before this conversation.

Every moment without him, I’m unraveling further. It was bad before, but now I don’t even know how he’s doing. Every flare of my pulse or ache in my ribs puts me more on edge.

My knees bounce once I’m sitting across from Cass. We’re in a different room. Smaller and less warm. His eyes remain on the wall as he speaks.

“Very few knew of His Majesty and Selene’s route to Sancte Noctis. Remnants of a failing glamour were found on a cloak she tore from a bystander.”

I hold my breath.

“Lorelai’s phone went offline just after. It’s safe to say we know who opened the gates for His Majesty’s gravest enemies.”

My mouth falls open, and I bring a hand up as I shake my head.

“What? No, she . . .”

I trail off, remembering one distinct thing. Lorelai was the one who handed me the box with an ash tree samara. She’s also the one who conveniently disappeared afterwards.

Even if I already know that, it’s hard to accept that the one who greenlit my approval not only betrayed us but orchestrated an ambush. She shared many long nights with Selene. Ezren was close with her, too, no matter their bickering. My fingers fall to my thighs and tighten into fists.

“Has she . . .I mean, this whole time . . .?” I whisper.

“I believe so.” Cass gestures to me. “I’ve made note of how she treated you. How many times did she put you in red when the dress code called for black? She made you stand out, or at least put you in harm’s way. It didn’t add up until it did.”

I lower my gaze. An enemy being that close is unshakably chilling. The fact that she always had her focus on me, too.

“We’re still figuring out who she works for. Clearly, she’s not a typical human.” He shakes his head. “But this isn’t why I wanted to speak to you.”

He adjusts his glasses again.

“Have you confirmed the entire prophecy?”

I nod slowly, and he reaches behind him. When he pushes a pen and paper into my hands, I know what he wants.

“You don’t have to. It’s probably hard to trust people right now, and I don’t want to be a part of that,” Cass says. “But the Royal Physician said there are traces of your blood in His Majesty. Dissonant blood.” His eyes lock on mine. “Or maybe that’s not the right word anymore.”

I glance down at the paper, and then back at him.

“You’re right. It’s not the right word.”

I don't need to show him my original copy. Leaning on the desk to my left, I scribble down the lullaby from memory. The bard’s prophecy. My fate.

After handing it back, he reads it over a couple of times.

“You were never the weapon.”

“I’m the answer,” I say quietly. “Resonant.”

It’s strange to say it out loud. The Vox Crown gave me this name before I could have ever understood. Now, it’s the only thing that makes sense.

“Resonant,” Cass echoes with a nod.