Page 118 of Kingmakers, Year Three

The thought comes to me—one tiny beacon of light in the blackness.

I still have my sister.

I could call her right now.

I snatch up my phone, already dialing before I remember there’s no service down here.

Without bothering to grab so much as a sweatshirt, I run out of my room and back up the stairs to ground level. I hurry north to the wall, too impatient to find my usual secluded spot on the far corner of campus. Instead, I wedge myself between the leafless orange trees and call my sister.

The phone rings several times. My stomach clenches up, thinking she’s not going to answer.

Then Zoe’s cheerful voice trills, “There you are! I haven’t talked to you in forever!”

I’m already crying again before I can even say hello. Poor Zoe has to wade through my gulps and sobs to try to figure out what the fuck is going on.

“Are you okay?” she cries. “Did somebody hurt you?”

“No,” I say, miserably. “I just . . . Dean and I broke up.”

“Oh,” Zoe says.

I can tell this isn’t exactly a surprise to her, which only makes me cry harder.

“I’m sorry,conejita,”Zoe says, “but maybe it’s for the best.”

“No it isn’t!” I cry.

“But Cat?—”

“You don’t understand,” I sob.

“Then explain it to me,” Zoe says.

She’s such a good sister. She always wants to be on my side.

“Iwantto understand,” Zoe says. “Tell me how this whole thing happened.”

She doesn’t know what she’s asking. Still, I’m going to tell her. I’m so tired of carrying this secret.

I take a long, shuddering breath.

“I killed Rocco Prince,” I say.

The silence on the other end of the line is deep enough to drown an ocean.

“No,” Zoe whispers.

“I did. And Dean saw me.”

I can almost hear her mind whirring, putting together the pieces with astonishing speed.

She knows it’s the truth. Only her image of her sweet baby sister prevented her from seeing it before.

“Why didn’t you tell me?” Zoe murmurs.

“I didn’t want you to worry. I wanted you to be free.”

“I can’t believe it, Cat. How did you?—”

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