“Do you think he’s lying?” Sarala grumbled to Ren.

“Why would he lie?” Ren asked in surprise.

“Because he’s got some big secret past with this crazy cat spirit that came out of nowhere,” Sarala stated dryly.

“He did keep Jabali hidden from us our whole lives,” Zyn put in. “Without any reason, really. Why didn’t he just tell us that Jabali was his best friend he grew up with? He didn’t have to say anything about Chaocat with that. And look—he didn’t tell us about Chaocat until recently! So he keeps secrets.”

“Keeping secrets isn’t the same as lying,” Ren protested. “We asked Dad directly about Chaocat, and he told us. He wasn’t ready to tell us about Chaocat before, and there wasn’t a need to, anyway. Not until they attacked, that is. Remember, Dad thought they were dead.”

“But how does a spirit die?” Sarala asked.

“I dunno,” Zyn replied. “Maybe we’ll learn in Magic Studies this year!”

Sarala rolled her eyes. “I still think your dad is hiding something…”

“I don’t think so,” Ren said earnestly. “You just don’t know him like we do, Sarala.”

Sarala clenched her jaw, getting out of the stretch as she stood up. “But you’re a liar, and most people probably wouldn’t assume that about you,” she huffed impatiently. “Maybe it runs in the family.”

Ren blushed and stood up as well. “That’s not true! And I only lied to protect Zyn! I didn’t want to, not really!”

Zyn hopped to their feet. “But, Ren, he also lied about where you came from. He said he got you from an orphanage, but for all we know, you—”

Ren glared at Zyn so intensely that they stopped speaking immediately. Sarala frowned, wondering if she had spoken telepathically to her twin.

“What happened?” Sarala grumbled. “Where did your dad get you?”

“He found me,” Ren said shortly. “I didn’t come from an orphanage.”

“So your real family could be looking for you now?” Sarala queried. “Your father could have kidnapped you?”

“No!” Ren growled sharply. “Dad wouldn’t’ve done that! Just—look, Sarala…my real family is Dad, and Zyn! And that’s all there is to it.”

Sarala narrowed her eyes.

“I’m sure Dad’s not hiding anything!” Zyn cut in, their voice higher than usual. 

Sarala snorted. “Whatever. I’m just glad I don’t have a lying, secretive parent.”

She turned on her heel and stormed out of the Kung Fu Studio, groaning as she entered the hot summer air. The twins hurried after her, their footsteps padding lightly against the cobblestone ground of the Courtyard. 

“Dad’s not a liar!” Ren snapped. “And he wouldn’t keep secrets! Not unless he had to!”

“Keep telling yourself that,” Sarala grunted. “I’m not convinced.”

“But why would he keep secrets or lie about Chaocat’s fighting style?” Zyn asked. “It doesn’t make any sense.”

“Yeah, he’d tell us everything he knew about them if he could,” Ren added. “He’s been really worried about us ever since Chaocat showed up!”

Sarala sighed, slowing her stomping pace. “I suppose you’ve got a point there. He wouldn’t withhold information if it’d hurt you… He loves you too much…”

The image of a woman dressed in red flashed through Sarala’s mind, and she gritted her teeth. Shaking her head, she stopped in her tracks. 

“Sarala?” Ren mumbled in concern, all traces of irritation gone from her medium voice. “Are you okay?”

“I’m not hungry,” Sarala uttered. “I’m going back to the tower.”

She turned away from the twins without another word, trying to shove Mimiteh out of her mind. Ren tried to chase after her, while Zyn held her back and told her to give Sarala time alone. By the time Sarala made it to the Tai Chi Studio, the siblings had reached the Eating Hall. 

She opened the door and entered the cool space, the ceiling lights turning on at once. Contrary to what she’d said, Sarala sat on the orange mat and leaned her head against the wall near the door.

“Get out of my head, and out of my life,” Sarala growled. “You always lied to me…kept secrets from me…”

And now, Mr. Caihong is doing the same thing, said a small voice in her mind.

“No,” she argued with herself. “He’s not. He can’t be… He’s a better father. He loves his kids… Which is more than you ever gave to me…”

Which is all I want, said the meek voice. I just want to be loved…to have a family…

Sarala shook her head roughly. “Whether he’s keeping secrets or not, whether he’s the same person or not…Mr. Caihong is not my father and never will be. My place is not here…”

My place is nowhere…