The Gilded Cage

BE THE LIGHT IN THE DARK.

“But you m-must be careful,” Delora went on weakly — so very weakly. “One mistake is all it will take, one p-poor choice. You have to fight it. Don’t become like them.” With a final pained gasp, Delora summoned the last of her strength to whisper, “Be the light in the dark, Kiva.”

Grow up, Kiva,” Zuleeka snapped. “No one is innocent. Not in this world

With a sick feeling, Kiva turned slowly to follow her sister’s gaze, already knowing what she would find.

Tipp was awake.

And judging by the look on his face, he’d seen everything.

“I can see you believe that,” Delora finally relented. “And I hope you’re right, girl, I really do.”

“I mean it. As much as I love you, if I get so much as a hint that you’ve lied to me and you’re planning to hurt my family, I’ll slit your throat myself. Understood?”

“Doesn’t it feel good to get all that off your chest? No more secrets between us, Sunshine.”

“The first is that I know exactly who you are, Kiva Corentine, and I have almost since the day we met.”

“Let’s cut the bull and get straight to it, Sunshine,” Caldon said, prowling toward her. “What did your brother and sister want?”

“Zuleeka wanted to apologize for what happened yesterday,” Kiva answered quickly, truthfully. A partial truth, at least.

Caldon came to a stop right in front of her. “Let me rephrase.” He leaned in, his eyes like cobalt fire as he asked in a lethal voice, “What did your brother and sister — the Viper and the Jackal — want?”

Our scars define us,” Maddis said quietly, the tip of her finger tracing the three slashed lines. “They tell a story of courage and survival. They tell of who we are at our deepest being, of the challenges we’ve faced and overcome.” Whispering now, she patted Kiva’s hand and finished, “Not all scars are as visible as this. I daresay you have many more on the inside. But never forget that every scar is beautiful. And you should never, ever, be ashamed of them.”