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Adrick stepped forward, the faint light from the French doors to the gardens illuminating his face as he cast a furtive glance around the dark, quiet kitchen.

“Adrick, how did you get inside?”

He rubbed his hands on his pants. “I know someone. Who is that guy? Didn’t he fight at the docks at one point?”

Alessa sighed loudly. “I told you, Dante is my guard. And yes, he used to fight at the Barrel. Enough stalling. What was going on today? Who tried to poison me? And why?”

“I don’t know.”

“Bullshit.”

“Look, it doesn’t matter right now.”

“Doesn’t matter? Because it looks to me like you made Papa’s special cookies and gave them to someone whoadded poison to themand delivered them here so I would get sick or die. And you aren’t even slightly surprised.Why?”

Adrick seemed to steel himself. “I’ll explain after you tell me if you have a Fonte. Is it working?”

She jerked back. “Yes. Sort of. It’s complicated.”

“It’s a simple question.”

She crossed her arms. “It’s a complicated answer.”

“So, no, then. And everyone here knows it, so you had to hirea thug from the docks to be your hired muscle.” His face twisted like he was fighting a laugh, and Alessa waited for the punch line, but he choked on a sob. “You’ve tried, but there’s no time left.”

“You’re giving up on me? Really? Adrick, I am trying so damn hard—”

“I know. Iknowyou’re trying.” Adrick’s hoarse whisper faded into defeat. “You always are.Tryingto cook dinner and burning everything, so we have to eat watered down soup instead.Tryingto write the perfect essay for homework, then forgetting it at home so I have to retrieve it for you and get in trouble.Tryingto be Finestra and killing your Fontes instead, leaving me to do the work of two people and jeopardizing all our lives.”

Every word sliced another wound that would never heal. A lifetime of guilt and embarrassment thrown in her face, and it only hurt more that it seemed to pain him to say it.

She was a burden. A screwup. And Adrick knew better than anyone, because he’d been there, cleaning up after her.

“I’m sorry.” Adrick’s face had never looked so drawn and serious. “But there aren’t points for effort in this. I don’t want this any more than you do, but I… I think, maybe, that’s why I’m here. Maybe the whole reason I was born.” Tears glittered in his eyes as he pulled a small bottle from his pocket.

Alessa backed away, her skin going cold. “What is that, Adrick?”

If she had to endure his betrayal, he needed to live with the guilt of saying it.

“You had your calling, sister. Now I understand mine. You know I’d never want to hurt you.”

“Then don’t.”

Adrick flinched. “Why do you think I told you to leave today?Do you think they would have been as careful as I would? No one else would take every precaution to make sure you didn’t suffer. Don’t you see? This is your way out. You’ll be a hero, and we’ll be saved.” Tears streamed down his face. “I made it special. For you.”

She wanted to scream, to pound his chest with her fists. She wanted to cling to him and beg him to take it back. Instead, she remained perfectly still, barely breathing.

Adrick placed the small blue bottle into her palm and wrapped her gloved fingers around it.

She stood there, staring at her closed fist between his hands. It was the most contact they’d had in years.

“Are you going to force it down my throat?” she whispered.

His eyes closed. “No. I know you’ll do the right thing.”

Dante darkened the doorway. “Time’s up.”

“Goodbye, little sister.” Adrick swiped at his eyes. “I’ll make sure no one ever forgets your sacrifice.”