The image of Kaito's face refused to leave Nyra's mind. It clung to her thoughts like smoke that wouldn't fade, no matter how hard she tried to push it away.
She hadn't told the others what she'd seen. Not yet. How could she? How could she explain that the shadows had gathered and twisted into the shape of her brother, speaking with his voice as if it truly were him? If she spoke the truth, it might crush what little hope they still had left.
So she kept silent, even though the secret felt heavy in her chest, burning like a coal she couldn't spit out.
Around them, the Fork was breaking apart. It didn't feel like one place anymore but dozens, all stitched together with rough, crooked seams.
