Page 56 of Ashes

I blink at him.

No one has ever asked me that.

Everyone just accepted my answer and moved on.

Maybe offered to help me cover it up.

“Paola.” Victor is in front of me, and he places his hands on my arms. “Are you okay? Talk to me. What’s happening?”

I push back the tears. “I can’t do it. The task. I can’t!”

“It’s all right.” He pulls me into his arms. “It doesn’t matter. We’ll find another way.”

“No, it’s not all right! We’ll fail because of me! I never do the right thing! I couldn’t find my brother in time. I—”

“Hey, it’s not your fault.” He pulls away and gently tips my chin up. “It’s not. None of it. Why did you bite your arm?”

“I do that when I’m angry. When I know no one listens to me. When I know no one cares how I feel.”

“Look at me,” he says, and I meet his gaze. “I care. Do you hear me? You can always talk to me. About anything.”

I bob my head.

“And if you’re angry, you can punch something. Something safe.”

I raise an eyebrow at him. “Yeah, but I prefer talking.”

A smile curves his lips. “Okay. Is there anything you want to talk about? Will you at least tell me what the task is about?”

I find the envelope and hand it to him.

Chapter 24

ITAKE THE ENVELOPEand glance at what’s inside.

It’s a shame that we have to back out when we got so far, but I can see why Paola doesn’t feel comfortable with the task.