Chapter 42 · Then the images changed. Nora saw herself kneeling

Then the images changed.

Nora saw herself kneeling beside Elias, her hand pressed to his chest. She heard her own voice saying his name with a softness she didn’t recognize.

Elias reached for the plate.

Nora slapped his hand away.

“Don’t.”

“You need to see what she’s doing.”

“I’ve seen enough.”

“No, you haven’t.”

Another plate lit up.

Nora stood in a white room. Her younger self sat across from Sera, both hands flat on a table. Sera leaned in and touched two fingers to Nora’s temple.

The memory cut out before Nora could hear the words.

“What was that?” Nora asked.

Sera laughed softly. “A correction.”

Elias turned to her. “You edited her.”

“Everyone needs editing.”

“You touched my mind.” Nora’s voice came out low. “You changed something.”

“I gave you a life you could survive.”

“I didn’t ask for one.”

“You were eleven.”

“Where is Finn?”

Sera ignored her. “The boy resisted longer than you did. He was clever. Too clever. He found the old access paths beneath the grid and nearly opened the central gate.”

Nora’s breath caught. “You said he was dead.”

“I said he was gone.”

“You lied.”

“Of course I lied.” Sera’s voice sharpened.