I have to tell her.

This should be the time to disappear, now that we're finally free of our enemies. And Emma has already seen too much of my sister's and my illusion magic, and the world should never know we're hiding in their midst.

Besides, we still have mysteries left about why our family has always lived in secret, and where our magic came from. Old sins, and a long-ago threat that was once deadlier than any power we've ever seen, so it's time for me and my sister to put those to rest.

And yet... I've never met anyone like Emma. I never thought that while I went through every face and trick I know to find our answers, I'd still be thinking of showing everything we are to a stranger. There's no chance she could choose me and this hidden life over the life she has, even if my sister and I weren't still on the run.

But I have to tell her. If anyone could make this choice... maybe all we need is a chance.

Unless the deadliest past comes after all of us.