Tabitha’s POV

“Not guilty! As I have said more than once, I had nothing to do with the damaged artifact. I didn’t even know where it was being kept.” My chest heaves with indignation as I scan the faces around us, and I see how ready they all are to dismiss my words the same way the elders did the last time I tried to defend myself. Yet when my eyes find my four stepbrothers, a different strength rises in me. Luca meets my gaze and gives a firm nod of encouragement, and the silent push steadies me enough to keep going. “I was taken, locked away, and treated like...