Page 136 of The Tribes of Magic
“I wish I had a brother,” Bronte said. “But he’d have to be a younger brother. I want someone to boss around.” Her hands flew up to cover her mouth, like she couldn’t believe she’d just admitted that.
Everyone laughed.
“Savannah is impossible to boss around. She’s too smart.” Dante met my eyes. “Much smarter than I am. That’s why Mom loves her the most.”
“Dante,” I gasped. “You don’t really think Mom loves me more than you, do you?”
“Yeah, I guess I do.” His eyes glistened with unshed tears.
I snatched his hand. “She loves us both equally.”
“Yeah, right. Sure.” He cleared his scratchy voice. “You are her favorite, Savannah. Clearly.”
“No.” I shook my head. “You can’t really believe that!”
“Of course I believe it. Because it’s true. Mom loves you more. I’ve always known that. Until now, I was just afraid to admit it, even to myself.”
“You are so wrong, Dante. I don’t know why you’d even say these things…”
I stopped talking. A terrible idea popped into my head—and almost broke my brain. No, it couldn’t be.
“Savannah, did you...” Ansel looked at me with big eyes.
Of course he’d jumped to the same conclusion as I had. He knew more about Alchemy than anyone here.
I shook my head. “No. I didn’t.”
Dutch’s eyes narrowed. “What is he talking about?”
“Ansel was wondering if…if I put a truth potion in everyone’s drinks.”
Everyone looked at Ansel. He said, “Truth spells, truth potions, their effects play out just like this. Everyone is completely unable to hide anything.”
“Why would Savannah give us all a truth potion?” Bronte asked.
Then everyone looked at me.
“I didn’t.”
But Ansel was right. It was like none of them had a filter on their mouth. Truth potions had exactly that effect on people. I hadn’t used one on my friends, but I had a pretty good idea who had: Conner. He’d suggested this was the way to figure out which one of them was helping the General spy on me and helping the Government abduct Apprentices. I’d told Conner not to use the potion, but he’d done it anyway, just like the Rebel he was.
“I didn’t do it,” I said again.
Dante laughed. “Why would you?”
“I wouldn’t.” I rose from my seat. “I, uh, have to go.”
“Where are you going?” Nevada asked.
“To the library. I’ve been doing research, trying to find anything that might lead me to Kylie and Asher.”
“Do you think you will?” Nevada asked me.
“I hope so. I think about them a lot. Especially Kylie.” I glanced at Bronte.
Her face twisted in pain at the sound of our friend’s name. “I miss her. I wish I knew where she is so I could find her and bring her back.”
“So do I,” I replied.
