I'm at the table, drinking a bottle of youth. For the past hour, they've been telling Cyril and I about everything: how they are forced to create weapons for the Councillors and how their memories are searched every night for illegal doings.
"This is how our friends Linh, Wylie, and Tam were killed," explains Bex. "They couldn't sit still while the Councillors destroyed our world. So . . ." She lowers her head as tears drop from her eyes. Something inside me wants to comfort her, but I hold it back as Cyril pats his aunt's shoulder.
"We're telling you this," - Jensi kneels down in front of me, noticing the blankness in my eyes - "because we won't survive to tomorrow."
I gasp. My heart thunders. "But -" Once again, terrible tears flood my eyes. I can't stop them. The only father and mother figure in my empty, terrible life will die tonight.
"It's okay, Alarik," says Jensi. He embraces me. Feeling this terrible sorrow is worse than being broken, unfeeling. "Bex cloaked the truth about you in our minds from the Councillors' telepaths. Saying it out loud uncloaks it. I'm afraid we won't be able to hide it again."
"Why can't you, Bex?" asks Cyril. He's been crying too.
"I'm a weak telepath," she sighs. "The first time I cloaked memories I nearly died from the effort. Now there's a memory of us telling you, so that makes two, at least." She shakes her head, tears brimming over.
"Can't you wash them?" I ask, choked.
She shakes her head. "I'm not a Washer. Cloaking is different, and very difficult."
"Wouldn't you rather die by your own devices than by the Councillors?" As I ask the question, a spark of hope lights Bex's eyes.
"I think I can . . . break us. So at least dying won't be as bad," she says to Jensi, grim determination set into her face. "And it would hide the memories. It would keep Alarik and Cyril safe."
Jensi nods. "That won't be the worst way to go."
"But -" Cyril and I protest through tears.
"We have no choice," Bex says gently. "And I'm very sorry, boys, but the Lost Cities isn't safe for you anymore. You must go to a Forbidden City."
"But how come you can't come?" I ask.
"Because we are weak. And if we came, the Councillors would come after us," says Jensi. "They won't suspect you. And also . . ." he smiles, "you have your whole lives ahead of you."
This is too much. Once again, the information overloads in my brain. "Where do we go?" I sigh.
"Your only hope . . ." Bex sighs. "Your only hope is your father, Fitz Vacker."