Chapter 138

• John’s POV
• I froze, as if even my blood had frozen. It took forever for me to find my voice again, and when it came out, it was rough as sandpaper. "If you like them, let them give them to you." I ignored Todd. With bloodshot eyes, I stared at the girl, who looked as if she were about to cry. My voice came cold from deep within, heavy and relentless. "Speak. Those bracelets—where did you get them?"
• "I… I…" she stammered, tears welling up in her eyes. "I… I bought them at… at a little street stall by the moat… they were really cheap…" She looked at my face and broke down. "I… I just thought the pattern was especially… pretty… and the engraved letters inside… those are my initials… I had the feeling… as if they were meant for me… so… so I wore them…"