ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK.

LUCIEN’S POINT OF VIEW. You know the moment just before a pressure cooker lets off the steam trapped inside it, or just before a kettle whistles, releasing all of its steam; that was exactly how I felt while we all watched Roxanne stumble over her words. “Answer the damn question already!” Amara hissed, her hands flailing around her as she tried to grab a shaking Roxanne from where she stood cocooned by the police officer’s embrace. The entire family was here at Valerian’s house. My grandparents, aunt, Sloane’s parents, Ace, Amara, and even Amara’s parents all stood with bated breath. For the first time in my life, I felt a true sense of dread. Every waking moment we spent counting stones with Roxanne meant Sloane slipped further away from my hands. I wanted to fucking scream. “I already told you I don’t know anything, damnit!” Roxanne hissed back. I had to give it to her; even though she would be going to jail, she hadn’t lost the damn condescending attitude. “You will talk,” I sa