But she needed to say something to appease her mother's thirst for details, and she knew they would believe the explanation she gave, which, to Aakifahlynn, was the truth.

Because she was looking for answers, wanting to know what was real and what was not.

So yes, she did not lie, and now she knew that Demarion was not an enemy. But she would not say that to her parents, nor would she with Demarion standing right there, watching her intently.

Maybe he was looking to see if she so much as broke a fingernail, recalling what Demarion had told that guard back in 1405. Aakifahlynn could not help but...