Blackfeather Woods Maggots! Another lover lost to the tunnels

Her words came at a slight shock, but after a while, she understood. The pieces that had floated about her condensed into a clear understanding of her brother's predicament. He was mentally ill.

From what she knew of her mother's genetic past and Damien's own life, it had only been a matter of time before her brother snapped. Cicero had done so a year before. When would it be her turn? It already had been, she thought back to her early days chasing after invisible figures and hidden voices.

But Nyx's rise to power was unnerving. She had already curryed favor with Damien after her mother's abdication, and now? Now she was in charge. How auspicious for you. She deadpanned, not hiding her distrust from Nyx. Vaati had railed to her his hatred for the boys Nyx had brought in. Now she understood. They were a threat, in a way, to her family. But Nyx was not Nemesis. What do you intend to do with me then?