Page 42 of Legacy Ascended

Near the bottom of the final page, Marla finally uses her name.

Victoria stopped asking when her family would come.

I read the sentence again.

Torres's hand stays at the back of my neck.

Elise slides the sleeve back into the case and puts it in the bag but doesn't close it.

“There’s something else I need to say,” I tell her.

Elise settles back in her chair. “All right.”

“You came here to give me records about what happened to the Fourth House. About the people who were hurt because someone decided they were in the way.”

“Yes.”

“Your people did the same thing.”

Elise's face changes.

“You decided I didn’t belong here. You decided you had the right to take me. And when people tried to protect me, you went through them.”

Nobody says anything.

“I know you weren't there,” I say. “I know Frances wasn't standing in those trees with a gun. But they were people, acting on what all of you believed.”

“Yes.”

“And I need you to understand what that cost.”

Elise nods once.

“Her name is Cassel.”

I feel Torres give my neck a squeeze.

“She ran my detail. She had only been with me a short time because the man who had it before her was still on crutches from the last time somebody came for me. The last thing she said to me was do not talk to me.”

My mouth almost moves at that, because it was such a Cassel thing to say.

“Then she got out of the car and put herself between me and the trees. She took two rounds. I dragged her into the ditch by the back of her coat. I still had her blood on my hands when your physician was working on me.”

“I know her name,” Elise says quietly.

“Knowing her name isn't the same thing.”

“No.”

“Kavek died.”

Elise doesn't look away.

“I never even talked to him. He was in the lead car. He got out and didn't make it six steps. He used to hold doors for me. I'd say thanks. That was it.”

My throat tightens.

“I've read the report. I know where he was hit and where they found him. But I don't know anything about him.”