"I joined the Crimson Shrine of the Drowned," Ace said. "I'm still human, so don't sweat it. But the link is powerful and dangerous. It affects me and my Sixteen more than you can imagine. You'll choose your own path later. For now, let's head out and meet the others. I've got to tell them about Sean."
They nodded and filed out. Thoughts weren't private in that cave, and Chaewon's worry had spilled more than Sean's blood. Her cheeks were scarlet, as if the shrine had claimed her too.
In the safe zone, Ace gathered everyone and laid out the truth.
"He killed himself," he said. "To be exact, I told him to. The Priestess wrote him off, and there was no road back."
The words hit the gang hard. They respected Ace, so they could guess how it tore at Sean to obey that order. Some members stepped back, already thinking of settling in the safe zone.
"Are you a puppet now, Don Capo?" Alex asked.
