Chapter 190

• Lucia's POV
• I woke up chained to a metal chair in the middle of the stage. Mouth tasted like copper and regret. Arms numb from the kids holding me down all night. Ryan and Sofia sat the same way a few feet over, zip-tied, faces bruised but alive.
• The amphitheater looked different in daylight. Lava glow brighter, sky choked with ash. Mateo.. my real baby.. sat on Ethan’s lap again, arm in a tiny blue cast, eyes red from crying himself out.