Page 19 of Born for Lace

But no.

“I know it is,” Lagos states.

“I had to check.” Tomar stands in front of me. “Where is Maple?” He folds his arms and frowns. “Go on. Talk.”

I don’t know what to say or how to explain… Spero pouts, so I draw little swirls on his back with one finger as a knot forms in my stomach, filling with unspoken words, expanding with every passing moment. I’m not Maple?—

“You lied.” Tomar sighs hard.

“Technically, I didn’t say I was Maple,” I argue, pulling Spero closer. “You assumed it, and I just went along with it.”

Tomar nods toward the bundle in my arms. “But thatisMaple’s baby.”

Dammit, Maple, what have you gotten yourself and me into?

I swallow, meeting his blue eyes. “Yes.”

“Then…” His pause is loud. “Where is she?”

“Dead.” Lagos drops the word carelessly, and my heart squeezes while my mind flashes with images of her final moments, of her screams as Spero tore through her, of her smile when she saw his face and chubby arms.

Tomar pins me with his gaze, filled with concern and distrust. “Is that true? Is she dead?"

What should I say? I chew my bottom lip. The truth?What will that mean for me?What kind of deal did Maple make? Can I make the same deal?

I choose the most pressing question. “You answer me first,” I demand with false strength. “What is a Shadow baby?”

“You’re in no position to bargain.” Tomar blocks the door, not that I could leave or have anywhere to go. It’s not like I have any options at all. “But fine, Lace Girl. A question for a question. Is Maple dead?”

I nod and whisper, “Yes.”

“Who are you?”

“A member of her Collective.”

“What—”

“That’s two questions,” I interrupt. “It’s my turn. What is a Shadow baby?He” —I glare at Lagos, my contempt for him unhidden— “called Spero a Shadow baby.”

Tomar and Lagos look at each other, sharing a heavy message before Tomar walks toward the bed and sits down.

His eyes soften on me. “It’s best if you don’t know.”

“I have to know.”

Tomar leans forward. “You’re not Maple. You can leave. You still have time to return to the Half-tower and be rescued by The Trade. The civil unrest will end at some point, and you can return to your Purpose. You will be in danger if you know what he is, and then run with him. It will never stop. They will always come for him, and you will always be in hiding.”

“She doesn’t need to know.” Lagos’ jaw clenches and unclenches. “She was born to serve, not to protect or die for others. Kill the baby. It will be a kindness.”

“You are not killing my baby!” I hiss, stepping in front of Lagos, pretending he doesn’t exist to me—but he does. My body hums with instinctual wariness in his presence. “Icanprotect him—will.” I focus on Tomar. “I chose him over myself the moment I lied to the Marshals who could have rescued me, and protected me, and offered me a new home, and Ward, and—” The truth rushes to a pause of significance. Tears burn behind my eyes. “I have already chosen him. She was my closest friend. My favourite” —my voice breaks— “person in this world.” My lower lip wobbles, my resolve washing away in the twin rivers rushing down my cheeks.

The door opens and closes behind me, and I don’t need to look over my shoulder to know that Lagos has left the room. His repressive aura dissolves.

I breathe deeply again.

“Okay.” Tomar nods slowly, eyes panning over my distraught expression. “Okay. First, what is your name, Lace Girl?”

I sniffle. “Dahlia.”

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