Chapter Ninety-One

AURORA

I go back to the first line to ensure I'm not misreading anything in the document Cassian handed me. I've been deluded these past few days so I wouldn't put it past me, but even as I read it a fourth time, the sentences in the first paragraph are still unchanged.

The lump in my throat is too big to swallow and all the tears I've kept at bay since I last cried in the bathroom this morning fall free. They fall with a heavy force, I don't intend to cry this hard but it happens, I can't help it and I can't surmise the document. “Is this for real?” I cry out, now sure that I've not been misreading anything.

“What?” Emelia asks, this time seemingly pissed off.

My gaze falls on Caelum and I sniff, watching him closely for a reaction, anything to help me fathom the document in my now shaky hands. “Caelum, I know you your jokes are of poor taste but Cass, if you're in on it..I-I'm-”

“It's not a joke, I promise.” Caelum assures me.

I look at the document again, rereading the first paragr