The Wolf Without a Voice' and the Three Who Claimed Her

: R

, my hand on the frame, and lo

painting everything in shades of grey and gold. And in

y see

in frame like they were two sizes too big. The shadows under her eyes that spoke of exhaustion and hunger. Th

in my chest. Rage. Pure, burning r

The other half of my soul. An

d she looked up at me with surprise. I grabbed

you? Who gave yo

and she took the penc

sn't m

nswer. I grabbed

rs to ME

ed, then wr

en in the slums before I came here. They don't

e headmaster. The man whose voice we'd just been hiding from. The ma

beating

im, I wrote before

he frantically shook her he

. Please, Rafe. It's not

ing beaten. Those three words

tting messier with anger. You should be safe. You shoul

ly. This is my life. There's

I had everything. She had nothing. And I couldn't fix it with money or status or the St

ng. I couldn't just lea

estate. We have so many rooms. Father would understand. He's

ad before I finished showing he

le house. They'd ask questions about who I am and where I came

? I w

use. At least here I have a roof and food, even

ther would help, that we'd find a way. But looking at her thin face a

a way I never could from my mansion and my privilege. And she was telling

iven me everything while giving her nothing, when we we

n't protect you. I hate that someone h

ed. She took the pencil

ng in my chest was just something wrong with me. Now I know I'm not alone. I have a brother. A twin. Someone

s right. We'd found each other. That was huge. That changed

e

w how, but I was going to find a way to get her out of this

next word

edicine for your injuries. And we'll figure out a plan. Maybe not today

ng down her face again. But she was smiling

ek. I'll

tore out several blank pages, handing

rything you want to tell me. I'll do the same.

y were made of gold instead of simple supplies I could ge

ves of one soul, when our live

same height. Exactly the same build, though she was far too thin. Looking at her was like looking in

ed to the eastern bank i

na wrote with one hand, keep

We're supposed to be together. The universe separa

o rise. I needed to leave. Father would be covering for me, but the

Didn't want to leave her in this terrib

ime, then gently pulled away. She gestured toward the door

door again. But before I left, I turned ba

ken. Anyone who hurts you is the

ead those words. She nodded and pressed the

he dawn light. My sister. My twin. The missing pie

allway. I made it out of the school building and back through the slums wit

y lungs burning and my legs aching. By the time

, but they let me through without comment. I headed straight for the servant'

ear my bedroom. His face was tight with wo

ancing around to make sure no one

and pulled out my not

ly alike except she's a girl and she's been livin

d as he read my words

orks for the headmaster in exchange

to come here?

head and

w she was from the slums. She has no papers,

ably right. But we can't just leav

bring her food and medicine. And we're going

udied my face for a long mo

figure this out together." He paused. "Ho

out it and w

arting to fill. But also angry that she's been suffering while I

hat's what matters. And we'll make sure she's taken care of." He put hi

everything that had happened. Meeting Mina. Seeing the bruises on her arms

xpensive furniture, and all I could think about was Mina in

was still there, but different now. Not an ache, but a connection. A thread ty

. My ot

protect her, no m