Page 39 (1/2)

But I can’t I have to stay focused

The safe is behind the painting he’s hung, one that shows aabout the ie that I hadn’t seen before

The man is Nevio He’s in shadow, turned away so that it won’t be obvious to the casual viewer, but when you coe on the wall

I wish True were here to see this

I take down the painting and wonder what became of the one : water and light

Water

"Unlock," I say to the safe, and I hear a click and pull it open

There’s the box I open it up and take out the second insignia I press the soap against it and take the print, deep It’s perfect

A sound in the hall At the door?

They can’t be finished eating yet

I rub the insignia with my sleeve to make sure that I leave no trace of soap, and then I close the box quickly and put it back inside the safe As I doelse, and in spite of the sound in the hall, I pull out the item to take a look

My skin knows exactly what it is even before ave to me, but this one is pure white

Another sound in the hall I put the shell back, close the safe, hang the painting on the wall, and wait

I hear speaking Two people, neither of them Nevio

They move on, and I slip back out the door and up toin otten

There was no time to ask a question into the shell, but I knoould answer

Maire

My aunt is in contact with Nevio

"We haven’t spoken in some time," I say, careful to keep ers "Where are you?"

Back in prison, Maire says And see

"But you can s move," I say "Why don’t you unlock the doors and walk free?"

I’ve chosen not to reveal that particular talent to the Council, Maire says, because it’s helpful for theo that some of the best voices can be heard in the prison walls More recently, it was a way for me to keep myself away from you, to put another barrier between us You have no idea how difficult it has been not to try to ave you the shell--so you could control your own learning

"Do you," I ask into the shell, "communicate with Nevio the Minister?"

Of course There’s no hesitation She doesn’t sound ashamed She doesn’t explain And that makes me sick Nevio took my mother’s place He stole and read her personal papers And Maire still speaks with hi to get caught up or bogged down in all of this I don’t want to let her keepto the surface, don’t want to allow her voice in ether But I can’t help s I want to know

"Did you kill my mother?"

No

"Do you knoho did?"