AYASHA'S POV
"Believe what you want." I took another bite of bread. It was good bread, better than what we'd been given before. Maybe that was my reward for surviving the gallows.
"What happened to Zara was horrible," I continued. "But it was punishment Lamia wanted to give to us for working together. For showing unity instead of tearing each other apart like they expected."
The mention of Zara's name sent a visible shudder through the group. I could see her blood on their faces, hear the wet sound her throat had made when the blade went through it.
"I do not blame you for your fear," I said. "I am scared and angry too."
"You lie," Nisha said through her broken nose. "You're not scared. You and Pavati walked into that courtyard like you knew exactly what would happen. Like you had it all planned out."
