---- 230.


    SURPRISE, SURPRISE SILAS BAM! The door mmed open, and a woman with long ck hair entered with the traitor.


    I recognized her, I think...


    but like many of my fragmented memories, I couldnt say for sure.


    Either way, I couldnt let myself be seen; if she recognized me, it would put mydy in danger.


    So, Ihid in the shadows of the balcony, spying on them through the crack in the door.


    search everywhere! We need to find solid evidence for Morgana, because if Im wrong about this, Electras going to slice my throat! She ordered the girl, and they started rummaging through mydys belongings: the dresser, the nightstands, the wardrobe nothing was spared.


    She was going all in, but couldnt find a thing.


    Every time they passed near the balcony, I submerged deeper into the shadows that emanated from this curse.


    I''d had time to explore myself now that my life wasnt just about surviving.


    Inmy moments alone, Id tried to ept who I am and coexist with the monster inside me.


    It was time to put what Id learned into practice.


    ---- I wanted to be stronger, precisely so I wouldnt be her burden and so I could protect her.


    Nothing! Nothing, damn it! She pounded on the bed after flipping the mattress.


    You said there was a weird ve who always apanied her! Where is he?! She grabbed the girl by the hair in anger, forcing her to confess.


    T dont know! I dont know, Lady Drusi! He must be in his room, I didnt see herdyship take him! Hes got to be around herehes really sinister! The girl was holding back tears, thrown to the floor at that bitchs feet.


    Now I knew her nameDrusi De Croix.


    You''d better hope all the effort Ive put into you pays off.


    If that ve turns out to be a waste of time, your head will be the first to roll! She kicked her and barked at her to head down to my room, stomping down the stairs.


    This was my chance to escapeI had to warn mydy! But I couldnt go through the front doorI''d be discovered.


    I peered over the edge of the balcony.


    It was high, very high, and the ground wasnt evenit was made of massive, jagged stones at the towers base.


    I desperately searched for a way to climb down some vines, but it was almost impossible to jump without breaking my neck.


    ---- Thurried to the other side, but suddenly, my ear caught the sound of something slicing through the air behind me.


    T knew that sound all too wellId been struck by it too many times.


    A whip.


    I dove to the ground, but still felt the burning sting as my shirt tore and my skin split open.


    Tspun around immediately, facing that witch.


    Shed discovered me.


    So you were the strange energy I felt lingering.


    Looks like my little sister left some spell to protect you.


    Well, well...


    what a surprise, she sneered, stepping out onto the balcony.


    Her sharp eyes scanned me, and I could tell something about me seemed familiar.


    Damn it, my mask waspletely fractured, my tinum hair too conspicuous, and my features exposed.


    She might recognize me despite the scars.


    Itis you! she eximed, pointing at me, her eyes wide with shock.


    What are you doing here, Lucrecia Silvers favorite ve? What happened to you? She stepped closer, and I backed away, refusing to answer, my mind racing for an escape n.


    Dont even try itthats a fall to your death.


    Come here, Im ordering you, ve! She cracked the whip in her hand, leaving a mark on the stone floor.


    I didnt speak, just nced back at the edge of the balustrade.