ROXANNE I straightened my dress and walked out of the bathroom. I wasn't going back into that dining hall to give her or the elders the satisfaction of seeing me tremble. I started toward the West Wing, wanting nothing more than to crawl into bed and disappear.But as I turned the corner near the library, I saw someone standing there. It was Elijah.He was leaning against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest, looking like he’d been waiting for me. Unlike Alejandro, Elijah had a softness in his eyes; a kind of quiet understanding that made me feel like I didn't have to pretend."Tough morning?" he asked gently.I let out a shaky laugh. "You could say that.""She’s a piece of work," Elijah said, stepping closer. "Don't let her get in your head, Roxanne. The elders are old, but they aren't blind. They know what she’s doing.""It doesn't feel like it," I said, looking down at my feet. "It feels like I’m the only one who sees it.""You aren't," he promised.He reached out, and for a
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