I listened to Cass as she did her best to recount recent memories.
"They plan to lure the King, Father, to the capital and execute him and his whole little family - you, Selen and Clay - for some sort of treason," She said with her eyes shut, "Then I think they were going to put me and Obsidian in power and wipe out all the Licnine in the North."
"How long do we have?" I asked.
Her face creased with concentration then she gasped, "They're already starting their plans... I was supposed to steal you away before they attacked."
"So you bring me to the capital pretending it all went to plan?" I asked.
Cass looked drained and we met each other's eyes.
"And then we find a way to cure my brother," Cass said quietly.
I could tell she was drawing a blank.
We sat in silence considering this huge task. When I looked at the girl who was the real Cass she seemed smaller, more delicate, less powerful.