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“What?” I wince as she sits up, instantly regretting revealing that detail. “Should I warn my friends?”

“Not unless they frequent seedy dive bars late at night.”

She thinks about that for longer than I like.

I need to give her the talk.

With everything that happened last night, I think we all assumed she wouldn’t say anything, but I should make it clear. “Ellery, I hate to ask, but you need to keep what you know about me, and this town, to yourself. You can’t tell anyone.”

“Of course.” She squeezes my hand. “I can’t imagine what would happen if people knew about all this.”

My phone buzzes.

“It’s Anna. You met her at the Fall Festival.”

“I remember. She’s…intense. Why aren’t you a fan?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Ex-girlfriend?” she asks, like she doesn’t want the answer.

“My absent brother’s ex-fiancée.”

“Right.” She nods. “I get the vibe now.”

Cleaned up the scene. Body is on ice at the med center. Council meeting in one hour.

“Council wants an explanation for my actions,” I say. “I’d like you there, if you’re up to it. This concerns you too.”

“If there’s anything I can say to make them understand it wasn’t your fault, I will.”

“He’ll be there. The man who made you forget. Are you sure?” I’d rather she be nowhere near Constantin, but it’s her choice.

“I want to look him in the face and let him see he did nothing.”

He did do something. And if the council hands her to him, he’ll do it properly.

“Can we go by my place on the way? I’ll need my own clothes.”

And that’s the most disappointing sentence I’ve heard today.

I wait on the street outside her apartment while she runs upstairs to change, then we walk to town hall. As we climb the worn stone steps, I grip her hand tightly, afraid of what we’re walking into.

Roslyn chats with Sigrid by the refreshments table, the rest of the council already seated in the small chamber. Sigrid spots us first, scanning Ellery with curiosity. Roslyn follows her attention and smiles when she sees her at my side.

“Ellery, this is my great-aunt Sigrid, and you know Roslyn.”

“Great-aunt? You look incredible.”

“I sincerely hope so.” Sigrid takes the compliment and holds out a delicate hand.

“Will you be joining us, dear?” Roslyn asks Ellery.

“If that’s okay?”

“Of course. We’d like to hear your account of last night. If you’re up to speaking about it?”

Ellery nods, and we follow the two into the chamber. Hazel, Caleb, and Lloyd are already seated. Pete comes in, closing the door.