Chapter Two Hundred and Thirty-Eight
Markus looked around the hall.
His eyes moved from Settimo to Ruth, then toward the
staircase.
"Where is Matilda?"
Ruth turned to him.
"She's with Cole and Josephine. They needed some things from
the school."
Markus nodded slowly, but his expression remained troubled.
Ruth's attention shifted back to him.
"What exactly do you mean by Matilda is Marco's daughter?"
Her gaze moved to Asli.
"Asli, did you know about this too?"
Asli folded her arms.
"I found out not long ago."
Her jaw tightened at the memory.
"I came here the day after I found out… to ask what I found
out about mine. And got kidnapped," Asli finished bitterly.
Settimo's expression immediately hardened.
"This was not a kidnapping."
Asli's eyes snapped toward him.
"I was locked here against my will."
"I already told you why."
"To protect me?" She gave a humorless laugh. "You keep
