BOUND TO MY AWAKENING
I stayed still, watching them argue over my existence like I was something fragile and dangerous at the same time.
That was when I understood something clearly. They had not taken me in because they trusted me. They had taken me in because they could not bring themselves to let me die.
Edgar turned back to me.
“Listen carefully. From this moment on, you are Kaela Bexley, my niece from Red Hollow.” His voice left no room for argument.
“That story will protect you. But if you bring danger to my family…”
“I understand,” I said quickly, even though my stomach twisted at the lie I was now forced to live inside.