Chapter 35

• As though she could see right into the battle waging inside of me, the elder's eyes remained fixed on mine. Her lined face was covered in flickering shadows as the fire in the middle of the room crackled low. A strong, old-world smell of burning sage filled the air as smoke curled from the bundle of plants in her hands.
• "You look for answers," she said. "Are you prepared for the truth, though?"
• I tightened my throat and gulped.