The Twin Who Got The Ring And The One Who Got The Altar Chapter 06
Sera was waiting at Granger Hall.
She saw me coming, and her eyes went red again.
“You sent Tate away?”
“Yes.”
“Why?” Her voice trembled. “Why would you do that?”
I looked at her. “You know about the blacklist rule?”
She blinked.
“Your mother’s family is in this hollow.” I said. “If
someone took you out of here, they’d be cut off from outside trade for three years.”
Sera’s face shifted. “I… I didn’t know.”
“I know you didn’t.” I said. “That’s why I’m telling you.”
She dropped her head, twisting her fingers together.
“Willa…” Her voice was tiny. “I really wasn’t
trying to do that. I talked to Tate a few times, but Mom and Dad reached out to him—not me.”
“I know.”
She looked up. “Then why are you so cold?”
“I’m not cold.” I said. “I’m just tired.”
“All my life, I thought we had a promise. I thought
it was real. But it was just words you said once–or
maybe you meant it then, but you changed your mind and never told me.”
Tears spilled down Sera’s cheeks. “Willa, I’m so sorry.”
This time, I didn’t say she was sorry about the
plan. Because I could see it–she meant it.
I said, “Sera, if you wanted out, you could’ve just told me.”
She froze.
“You tell me, and I figure something out. Or we
figure it out together.” I said. “You didn’t have to go behind everyone’s back like this.”
She stared at me for a moment, then broke down.
Not fake crying–real crying, shoulders shaking.
I stood there. Didn’t comfort her. Didn’t leave. Just stood.
When she finally wiped her face with her sleeve,
she sniffled. “So what do we do now?”
“I go to the Rite,” I said. “You go home and wait.”
“You’re really taking the oath?”
I didn’t answer. Just said, “Let’s go.”