Page 131 of Sweet Dominion

I raised my eyebrows.

TT continued, “I don’t think they are conscious like. . .we understand, but they can interact with the world in ways we don’t fully understand too.”

Her answer was so precise, so educated, that it left me and everyone else a bit taken aback. It was easy to forget that TT, for all her youth, had a mind that was constantly churning, always seeking knowledge.

Movement came from behind.

I spotted Dima giving the cat to Rose and walking closer to us. He’d been quiet the whole time since I’d returned with my sisters as if not wanting to disturb the gift-giving moment.

However, I wondered what made him come overthistime.

Lei smiled, clearly impressed. “That’s a very thoughtful answer, TT. And it should make what I’m about to tell you even more interesting.”

She studied him. "Okay.”

I could feel the tension rise as the men set the trunk down next to Lei and TT.

He lowered his voice like he was telling a secret. “I’ve spent a lot of time in the West at night, near Dream Lake.”

Jo, who had been listening quietly, suddenly perked up. “Why?”

A knot formed in my stomach.

I didn’t want the topic of Chanel—Lei’s past—to be brought up, not here, not now, and definitely not around my sisters.

But before I could intervene, Dima went right to the trunk, touched it, and then pulled out his notebook and pen.

Lei ignored Jo’s question and focused on TT. “I’ve spoken to the Crownsville Bandit on many occasions. Do you believe me?”

TT nodded slowly. “Yes, I believe you because. . .there are signs when people lie. And you’re not showing any of them.”

Dima, who had been quietly assessing the trunk, suddenly perked up, and looked at her. “What signs? How can you tell?”

TT glanced at him and then back at Lei. “When people lie, they do certain things without realizing it. Their eyes shift, like they’re trying to remember details they’re making up on the spot. Or their voice changes—gets higher or lower depending on the lie. Sometimes, they’ll fidget, like their body knows they’re saying something wrong, even if their brain doesn’t.”

Dima curled his lips into this big smile. “And he didn’t do that?”

She began to fidget with her fingers, twisting them together in a nervous dance. “He didn’t.”

The fidgeting told me she was nervous. I got closer to her and placed my arms on her shoulder, letting her know I was near.

She stopped fidgeting.

Dima jotted down notes in his notebook. “You’re very observant. Most adults don’t even pick up on those things.”

TT's cheeks flushed and she remained silent.

Chloe got bored with the conversation, slipped a few feet away and began typing into her phone, probably texting some boy.

Lei nodded. “Well, I’m glad you believe me, TT. Because what I’m about to show you is very real.”

The men who had brought out the trunk stood nearby, waiting for Lei’s command.

He gestured to them and they stepped forward.

Dima went to the side to get out of their way.

Then, they opened the old, weathered lid with a creak and all of us peeked in.

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