Eve
Silence followed her last words.
They hung in the air like smoke—heavy, clinging, choking.
Montegue's hand remained frozen near her cheek, as if his mind couldn't quite catch up with what she'd just said.
"My daughter works for the enemy."
Then Lucinda started shaking.
At first, it was her hands. A light tremor. Almost subtle.
But then her whole body followed.
Her mouth opened as if to say more, but nothing came out. Her eyes unfocused, staring past us at something we couldn't see. That blank look, that eerie stillness—it hit me in the gut like a stone.
"Lucinda?" I tried, shifting Elliot slightly to step closer.
Her jaw tightened.
"Lucinda, look at me. What happened when you visited Felicia? What did she say? What did she do?"
She blinked once. And then again, slower this time.
Her lips moved, but no sound escaped.
Montegue crouched beside her. "Luci," he said softly, using the nickname that cracked something tender behind his voice. "Please—"
