Thirty-seven

I watched Zahra as we ate evening meal, remembering the conversation on our way back to the village earlier that morning. I had no clue what she was talking about. I had no idea why she even said what she said.

"Roan?"

I look at June, frowning.

"What's going on? You hardly said anything."

I take her hand and lead her away from the group. "Tell me about the day we took Zahra."

She shakes her head. "What? Why?"

"Just tell me, June!" I hiss desperately.

She does and it isn't the same as Zahra's it was exactly how I remembered it. "Roan, what's going on?"

"Something is wrong. Zahra seems to have different memories."

"How is that possible?"

"I don't know!" I look towards my sister and feel my heart race. "She said we took her from Aspen. She said we broke down Aspen's door, not the male she ran into that first night."

June puts a hand on my arm. "Maybe it's her brain trying to find a way to make everything she's been through seem less terrifying?"

I shake my head. "If that we're true, she would not be remembering Lucas."

June nods, and we go to bed, the problem still on our minds.

The next day, I decide to take Zahra and Aspen to the meadow. Aspen is looking at me with narrowed eyes, but I ignore him. We sit in the grass and I let Zahra talk a bit, let her energy come out. When I speak, it's with a careful tone that warns Aspen to listen. "Zahra, can you tell me exactly how June and I found you and brought you here?"

Zahra frowns. "Roan, I told you! Are you okay?"

I smile. "I just want to make sure I didn't hit my head too hard when I was helping Raven last night."

She stares at me for a moment, and I know she's skeptical. "I was by a river when I saw your eyes."

I nod. "That's right. What else?"

"You had to go and left me alone. I eventually fell asleep waiting for you and when I woke, you had a fire and some furs around me. Then you brought June and she said that you're mysterious. But when you threw a rock I yelled at you. June told me it was fine and you were playing around."

"And that's when she asked your name?" I asked.

She nods. "I told her it was Zoe, but she didn't believe me. That's when you appeared and I got scared."

Aspen looks between us and I hold up a finger while Zahra isn't looking. He raises a brow. "You said I looked like our father."

She nods again. "June tried to calm me down, but you looked really mad, and it scared me."

"So you ran."

"Roan, if you know, then why have me retell?"

I smile. "Because I like messing around." She scowls. "I promise this will be the last time I have you retell. Just finish, please?"

She doesn't look happy, but continues. "I ran. I didn't get far when I ran into Aspen."

Aspen jerks like someone just slapped him.

"He asked me what was wrong and let me hide behind him while he and you two talked. He said that he'd keep me safe and that you could come back the next day. Then he took me to his home."

Aspen goes pale, seeming to understand my reasoning now. He shakes his head at me and I nod.

Zahra says, "he fed me and let me sleep in his bed, then introduced me to his friend the next day. I don't remember the name. We went on a ride and he picked berries. When we returned, you came. Said you were my brother. Said a lot of things I didn't believe like how my name was Zahra. Then some army attacked. Aspen took me to his shelter and told me to wait. He had been gone for a while when you showed up and said you were going to take me to safety."

I smile. "Thank you! You're the best sister!" She rolled her eyes and stood, going around the meadow while Aspen stared after her. "Something is wrong," I tell him.

"But, how?"

"I've been trying to figure that out since yesterday morning."