After Milton left, I curled into the corner of the bed. My body burned with fever, and a vicious pain twisted through my lower abdomen, but no one came.
Looking back now, meeting Lola Black was the single greatest regret of my life.
Somewhere in the haze of unconsciousness, I caught a glimpse of the seven-colored lanterns drifting past the window.
Only then did I let myself breathe, and smile.
Long ago, my father and I had made a pact: no matter when or where, if colored lanterns rose into the sky, it meant I was in danger. Someone would come to take me away.
At some point, Lola arrived. She sat at the edge of my bed for a long while.
When she saw me open my eyes, she touched my forehead. "The fever's broken. Come on, sit up and have some porridge."
I dragged myself upright, every joint screaming. "Milton was here. He forced an entire bowl of Severance Root down my throat. Did you know that?"
Lola's expression stiffened. She lowered her gaze. "I knew."
"You knew?"
I fought with everything I had to keep the tears from falling.
She reached for my hand. I pulled away.