AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The younger girl laughed and clapped her hands.I knew it! Show me.
Ana shook her head. She tossed another glance behind her.
Tyreste? He won’t be out again until he’s slept.
You can’t tell him.
Why?
You just can’t. I’m sorry, Addy.
Adeline ran her tongue between the gap in her lips, studying Ana closely.Then show me.
No.
Show me and I’ll keep your secret.
Ana checked her surroundings once more and then slowly, grudgingly, let the illusion fade.
Adeline’s smile increased by the second.Incredible. How do you do it?
I don’t know,Ana signed.I’ve always been able to. But it isn’t easy. And it only lasts as long as my focus holds.She looked around in a panic.If anyone sees me here, they’ll want answers. And I have no reason for being here.
Adeline beckoned her closer to the road, between two buildings.Why? Why would you break his heart and then return to his life with a lie?
Ana grimaced and raked her teeth along the bottom of her upper lip.It’s hard to explain.
I’m in no hurry.
Shouldn’t you be sleeping?
Tell me, Ana.
Ana inhaled sharply through her nose. She tapped her feet against the cold ground. If telling Tyreste was off the table, telling his little sister was even more impossible. But Adeline was clever. Ana had spent enough hours with her, learning her language and accepting her secrets, to know she’d never let it go.I can’t tell you, Addy. But your brother is in danger. He would be in even more danger if he knew the truth. I can protect him this way. Nessa can protect him. Ana cannot.
Adeline’s eyes narrowed.Danger from what?
Talking about the danger makes it more dangerous for him.Ana sighed.And for you.
Adeline squared up with an indignant scoff.I’m not afraid.
No, I know you’re not. But you should be. And if you have ever trusted me, you will listen to me now when I tell you not asingle soul—Ana tapped her chest hard to emphasize the wordsingle.Not a single soul can know, or something terrible will happen. Something I cannot stop on my own. And no, I am not telling you any more than that. I’m sorry.
Adeline shifted her jaw from left to right in cool scrutiny. At last she rolled her eyes and nodded.I’ll keep your secret. For now.
Ana practically sagged in relief.Thank you, Addy.
Aren’t you going to ask me how long I’ve known?
Ana half-heartedly urged her to go on.
Since the first day I met Nessa,Adeline signed and shifted her cloak tighter with a glance toward the tavern.And if Tyreste wasn’t so mired in his heartbreak, he would have seen it as well. But he’s hopeless, isn’t he? The answers are there for him to grab. You knowing how to sign. Grigor showing up and stalking the tavern corners every night. Failing to keep track of the lies you tell him.
Ana mentally kicked herself.It was a terrible idea. I’ll stay away.
No!Adeline’s face knit into a panic. Her fingers flew.Don’t you dare. I won’t let him lose you twice.
But I can’t... I can’t be Nessa forever.
