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"But you believe me?"

"Yes," True says "I do" His eyes narrow; his lips press together For the first time since I’ve known him, I have to look hard to see the kindness in his face For a moment his expression is different--closed-down, cool, and still

We’re both quiet as alk out into the deeph and talk, and I try to catch the sound of Atlantia breathing in the gaps

The two of us pass Cara’s stall A new cluster of people has gathered around et it back," True says "Don’t worry"

I feel another needle of guilt He doesn’t even know that I’ for an air tank instead

He doesn’t even know that I’ht the chance for her child to touchThis makes me nervous What if the child drops it? What if thelike it to pal, reverence in her expression

"Maybe it’s not so bad that the ring is here for now," I say to True "It’s a way for the people to reht have been exactly what Bay intended

Maybe she had Fen sell the ring to keepcould never do

Or was she trying to helpme the money?

Or both?

Tears of relief rush to my eyes I still know Bay Not perfectly, but in so secrets," True says, "I have one, too"

"You do?"

"I’m immune to sirens," he says "And not many people know it My father and Fen And now, you"

I should have realized There is sohter on his face and the gentleness in his eyes Soed

I have a very strange and interesting thought--could True resist me, if I used my real voice?

"So you could be the Minister someday," I say My attempts at humor usually fall as flat asthe Minister than that," he says "Isn’t there?"

"Of course," I say "But that’s an important step"

"If you’re immune, you’re supposed to declare it to the Council, but I never have"

"Why not?" I ask

"My ht we should keep it to ourselves," he said "My father went along with her wishes because he loved her And after she died, it was too late to tell anyone They’d wonder e’d been keeping it secret for so long"

There are so many secrets in Atlantia Anda secret, too Not one as dangerous as mine But he knohat it’s like to hide at least some of what you are

"My father doesn’t care anyway," True says "I don’t live with hiondolas"

"I’m sorry," I say I wish I could say it better

"It’s hard," True says "He hasn’t takenexcept his work since h I don’t know if I would have dared--True tells et it, but she did"

"My father died of it, too," I say