CHAPTER 34

Marla stepped closer to Jace, like what she was about to say was an abomination for the world to hear. Her expression darkened, and the sky smile that was ever present on old Marla's face was no longer there; it was replaced with something darker.

Jace's expression tightened, too. For all the time he had known Marla, he couldn't remember many times when her eyes held the look they held now. He could tell that whatever she wanted to say had to be dead serious. The mere thought of what it could be caused the wrinkles in his brows to deepen. He watched the old woman’s heavy steps carefully.

"Jace, I need you to listen to me carefully," she said. For one, even though she was nearly twice Jace's age, she never addressed him by his name. Something was unsettling in her eyes, like the weight of what she carried had become too heavy for her to bear alone. Marla had always been strong, dignified in her silence, but this… this wasn’t ordinary.

She looked up at him, the corners of her mouth pre