“Take a deep breath, Mija. There’s nothing we can do. The FBI will get them all out. Agent Gordon promised to watch out for them.”

“I don’t know if we can fully trust him,” Ágata replied.

“He’s done nothing but help us, Mija. He’s a nice man.”

“He’s arrogant and rude.” And Mama, despite everything she’d been through, was way too trusting.

“Why? Because he doesn’t immediately give you what you want?” Mama teased.

“Yes. Exactly.” Ágata liked to get her own way. Sure, she didn’t always get what she wanted.

But most of the time, she did. And that was the way it should be. However, Agent Braden Gordon didn’t see things that way.

He’d learn. One day, Ágata would be a force to be reckoned with.

“Ágata, siéntate.” Mama patted the sofa cushion beside her. “It will be over soon, and then you’ll be reunited with your friends.”

Ágata walked over and sat next to her mama. She felt a pang of concern as she took in her fragile state. Ágata had thought life would be better away from the Camp. And in many ways, it was. She was mostly free to do what she liked. Although Mama and her friends had rules for her.

Pfft. Ágata Nuñez did not like rules. And she tried to find ways around them as often as she could. Not that she wasn’t grateful to Mama’s friends for helping them. Without Elisabeth and Adam, things would have been so much more difficult.

Adam had used all his contacts with the NYPD to help them build enough of a case against the Deity to go to the FBI. In the end, it turned out that the FBI had been gathering information already. Ágata and Mama had given them enough to act.

After today, the Deity and his Sentinels would be going to jail for a long time.

And Ágata would have her friends back. Where they belonged.

That was the shit part about life away from the Camp. She missed her friends. Desperately.

Worried about them all the time.

Elisabeth had insisted they enroll her in school, but everyone had been cagey about how to go about that. In the end, they’d registered her under Adam’s last name, Brown.

She didn’t know how they’d managed that or why Mama didn’t want her information to be given to the school. That was a problem for another day. Ágata had been so focused on getting her friends away from the Deity . . . but as she looked at how fragile and stressed her mama was . . . maybe it was time to focus on her.

“Mama?” she queried softly.

The older woman still startled.

“Sorry, Mija, what were you saying?”

“Are you all right? Is something the matter?”

“What are you talking about?”

“I know we moved to the Camp for a reason. You weren’t fooled by the Deity. And the only reason you left is because he wanted to fuck me.”

“Mija, language.”

“Mama, it’s just the truth. He’s a dirty old man who uses his charisma and false promises to get people to follow him. He brainwashed them. But he didn’t do that to you, did he? There’s a reason why you chose to live with the Children of the Divine. What is it? You can tell me, Mama.”

Whatever the problem was, she’d fix it.

“My Mija, so strong, so fierce. You’re always trying to take care of me when it should be the other way around.”

Ágata sighed. “I’m not a child, Mama. I can handle whatever it is. Tell me, and I’ll take care of it.”

Something stubborn filled her mama’s face, and that’s when Ágata knew she wasn’t going to tell her anything more.

“It’s not for you to worry about, Ágata,” her mother said firmly.

“But—”

“No, I am the parent. I made a mistake joining the Children of the Divine. I thought it would be safe . . . but it wasn’t. You were nearly harmed because of my poor choice. It’s my job to take care of you, and I will, Mija. I promise you that.”

Ágata’s phone started ringing and she snatched it up. “Gordie?”

“I’ve told you not to call me that,” Agent Braden Gordon replied, his voice filled with exasperation.

“Sorry.”

She wasn’t. Not at all.

And Gordie knew it too as he sighed. “You’re a brat.”

“I don’t think that’s an appropriate thing to say to me,” Ágata replied.

“I don’t think anyone would disagree with me,” he shot back. “Here I am, calling you as soon as I have some information, and all I get is disrespect and sass. Bye.”

“No, wait, I’m sorry. Are they all right? My friends?”

“Yeah, Ágata. They’re all fine. A bit traumatized, but they’re all here, safe and sound. One of the girls isn’t talking much, but the big guy has them both close to him, watching over them.”

She breathed out a sigh of relief. “Thank you.”

“First nice thing you’ve said to me.”

“Don’t let it go to your head. Can I come see them?”

“Soon. I’ll get one of our agents to bring you to them.”

“And the Deity? His Sentinels?”

He breathed out a sigh. “That part isn’t such good news.”

“What do you mean? What happened?”

“They’re all dead. They poisoned themselves.”

Six months later

Ágata yawned as she walked in the back door of the small house in Queens. It was actually a pretty nice house. A little cramped with the four of them living here, but she hoped that she and Mama could move out once they had some more money saved.

It would help if Mama could get a job. But Ágata had been working at the local diner, earning as much as she could so they could get their own place. Didn’t have to be fancy or anything. She’d be happy sleeping on the sofa if she had to.

She just wanted a home. A place she could settle down.

Maybe they could even move closer to her friends. She hated being separated from them. But Mama insisted on staying with Adam and Elisabeth for some reason.

Not that Ágata didn’t love them. They’d been wonderful.

But they weren’t her friends.

She glanced at the oven clock. Nearly eight. It had been a short shift at the diner, but she still felt tired. And she had geometry homework.

Geometry. Like she was ever going to use that. Sometimes she thought about quitting school and just working full time. Then, she could definitely afford a cheap apartment.

But Mama had made her promise that she would graduate high school and at least think about college.

“What are we going to tell her, Adam?”

She paused at the frantic sound of Elisabeth’s voice.

Tell her? Tell who?

“The truth,” Adam replied. “What else can we say?”

“The truth? We don’t even know what the truth is. Would she really leave without Ágata?”

“She would if she thought it was safer that way, Elisabeth,” Adam replied solemnly.

“This is going to kill Ágata, Adam,” Elisabeth cried. “I can’t do that to her. I can’t tell her that her mom has just disappeared.”

What?

What the fuck?

Ágata could feel herself growing numb. Her heartbeat slowed. The world around her dimmed.

Mama was gone? Disappeared? Without her?

No, no. They had to be wrong. She wouldn’t. No!

She stumbled forward, banging into the table. A chair scraped across the floor and their voices immediately grew quiet.

“Estefania?” Elisabeth asked, racing into the room. She came to a sudden stop, her face falling as soon as she saw it was Ágata and not her mama standing there. Then she smiled. But Ágata could tell it was forced. It didn’t reach her eyes. “Oh, Ágata, you’re home early.”

Adam walked in, his face serious. They were a similar age to her mother. Adam had a thick build and dark hair that was going gray around his temples. Elisabeth was petite, her blond hair cut in a bob. Mama said she’d known them for years, even before Ágata was born. That she trusted them implicitly.

“I better make you some dinner. What do you feel like?” Elisabeth fluttered around, not meeting Ágata’s eyes.

So Ágata moved her gaze to Adam. He appeared grim. Even more serious than usual. Adam was a straight shooter. She knew he’d tell her the truth.

“Tell me.”

“Ágata,” Elisabeth said hesitantly as she drew some leftovers out of the fridge.

“Tell me. Just tell me.”

“You should eat first,” Elisabeth said.

“No. Tell me.” She could feel the tears developing, but she forced them back.

She had to be strong.

Always so fucking strong. But she could do this. She could take anything.

“Your mother left.”

“Adam!” Elisabeth said, dropping the glass she’d been reaching for in shock.

It shattered, and Adam immediately turned his attention to Elisabeth. “Baby, be careful!” He walked over and picked her up, carrying her away from the mess.

Tears were dripping down her face and Ágata moved to grab the brush and pan to clean it up.

“Ágata, sweetheart, leave it,” Adam ordered.

She glanced over to find that Adam had set Elisabeth down on a chair at the table and was moving toward her.

“Go sit down.” His tone was gentle, but it was clear to tell it was a command.

She moved to sit across from Elisabeth. “Mama really left?” Ágata shook her head. “No, she wouldn’t do that. She wouldn’t leave me behind.”

“Oh, Ágata.” Elisabeth stared at her with such sympathy that anger stirred. She didn’t want to be pitied.

The kids at school had been complete assholes when she’d first started. Most of them had spat out abuse at her on a daily basis. But she didn’t give a shit. She just stared them down until they backed off. Now, they left her alone.

She could deal with that. She could deal with just about anything.

But Mama leaving her . . . no, that might be the thing that broke her.

“She wouldn’t leave me.” Ágata knew she was repeating herself, but she didn’t know what else to say.

“I’m so sorry,” Elisabeth whispered. “But you know you’re welcome to stay here. We’ll take care of you.”

“No! No!” She stood up. Her chair flew backward.

Elisabeth flinched, and Adam placed his hands on her shoulders. Shoot. She hadn’t meant to upset Elisabeth. It was just . . . Mama wouldn’t do this to her.

She knew Ágata needed her.

“Ágata,” Adam said. “You know something was going on in your mom’s life. Something she wouldn’t talk about.”

Ágata frowned. “You mean the reason she entered the cult in the first place, right? That there was something or someone she feared.”

Elisabeth and Adam looked at each other. Adam nodded.

“Do you think . . . do you think someone took her?”

“Oh, honey, no.” Elisabeth shook her head.

“No, that has to be it. Someone’s taken her.” She wouldn’t have left of her own free will. No way. “I have to call Gordie. He’ll help find her.”

“We can’t call Agent Gordon, Ágata,” Adam said calmly.

“Why not? He’s the freaking FBI. It’s his job to find missing people, right?”

“She’s not missing,” Adam said. “There’s a note.”

“What? A note? No.” A note would imply that Mama left of her own free will.

Ágata just kept shaking her head. “No. No.”

“I’m so sorry, Ágata,” Elisabeth said again.

Why did she keep saying that? It didn’t help.

“She left a note for you and one for us,” Adam said. “I’ll go get them. We haven’t read yours.”

He returned with two letters that he handed to Ágata. But she couldn’t do this here. In front of them.

Jumping to her feet, she raced into her bedroom and flopped down on the bed. She pressed her hands to her eyes and took several deep breaths.

There had to be some mistake. Her mama wouldn’t leave her.

No way.

She was just gone for a bit. Maybe she needed a break. Or she was going to work away for a while.

Shit.

She chose the easiest one first. The one to Adam and Elisabeth.

My dearest friends,

I’m so sorry to have to do this. But you know I wouldn’t unless it was necessary. For all of our safety, I have to leave, and I don’t know when I’ll be back.

I know I’ve already asked so many favors of you, but I have to ask one more. Please look after my Ágata. I tried to keep her with me, to live a normal life. But it’s not possible. He won’t allow it.

Love her like she was your own. I wouldn’t ask it of you if I didn’t know that you would do this for me.

I’ll be forever in your debt.

Estefania.

A sob broke free, but she pushed it back. She couldn’t . . . she wouldn’t let the pain escape. Not yet. Not until she read the second letter.

Her hands shook as she opened the envelope.

My darling Ágata,

You’re my greatest treasure. The love of my life. The one thing I did right in the world. I am so proud of you.

But I’ve made some mistakes in my life. Things I regret doing. People I regret getting involved with. Becoming a part of the Children of the Divine is the least of my transgressions.

I have to leave, Mija. I know you will be angry with me. I know you won’t understand why. But I’m doing it to keep you safe, sweet girl. Adam and Elisabeth will look after you. I know that you haven’t known them long, but they are good people. Please respect them.

I know how headstrong you can be. How brave and loyal. You are my daughter, after all.

But do not try to come after me, Mija. I have to follow the path I started, and you can’t walk it with me.

Just know that I love you. More than anything,

Mama

And that’s when the dam broke. The tears came. She sobbed. Huge, heaving sobs that made her feel ill. By the time she stopped crying, she felt utterly drained. As though there was no moisture left in her.

She was empty inside.

But there was something she had to ask Adam and Elisabeth. Stumbling to her feet, she moved to the small bathroom across the hall and splashed water on her face.

She stared at herself.

She didn’t recognize the girl staring back at her. Leaving the cult had been hard. Leaving her friends behind . . . she thought it would be the worst thing she’d have to endure.

Turns out she was wrong.

Spinning around, she forced herself to go downstairs. Adam and Elisabeth were sitting in the living room, sipping on hot drinks.

Elisabeth jumped to her feet as Ágata entered. “Sweetheart, can I get you a hot chocolate? What do you need?”

Ágata shook her head and tried to smile. It failed.

“Oh, sweetheart.”

She let Elisabeth hug her. But it was more for the other woman’s sake than for hers.

Because she was numb. Nothing was getting through to her right now.

Adam shot her a knowing look. He got it. He knew how she was feeling.

Maybe.

Because even she wasn’t entirely sure. She was angry, then sad, then confused, and now there was . . . nothing.

“I need to ask you something,” she said as Elisabeth moved back.

“You’re welcome to stay as long as you like, Ágata,” Elisabeth said. “You know we think of you as family. Like our niece.”

That was really sweet. But it wasn’t what she needed to ask. However, she made herself nod. It had been challenging to unlearn everything she’d been taught while living at the Camp.

In the Camp, it had been all about keeping things from the Deity and his Sentinels. Sneaking around and keeping them happy while doing what she wanted.

Things were different out here, yet kind of the same. There was always an authority figure that you needed to hide things from.

She licked her lips. “Do you know who Mama is hiding from?”

They shared a look, and her heart raced. Did they know? If they did . . . then she could find them. Destroy them.

And Mama could come home.

Then Elisabeth shook her head. “I’m sorry, sweetie. We don’t.”

Were they telling the truth? She turned to Adam. He wasn’t a man who lied.

He grimaced. “We really don’t. I’ve tried to get Penelope to tell me so many times. When your father died, she was beside herself. She was hysterical. We brought her back here. We tried to get her to stay with us. She did for a while. You were nearly five, I think.”

She didn’t remember. Shouldn’t she remember?

“You loved my chocolate chip cookies,” Elisabeth said. “Your mama would have nightmares. She’d yell out things. Names. But when I’d ask her about them the next morning, she wouldn’t say anything.”

“Then, one day, we woke up and both of you were gone. We had no idea whether you were alive or dead until you turned up unannounced on our doorstep a year ago,” Adam told her.

“We went to live with the Children of the Divine when I was ten. Or nearly ten. I think I wanted a birthday party when we first moved there and I got upset when someone told me that children didn’t have birthday parties. Mama made me a small cake in secret. We had our own private party. She probably would have been in trouble if we’d been caught.”

“Sounds like Penelope.” Elisabeth smiled sadly. “She’d do anything for you.”

“She left me!” Ágata scrunched the notes up in her hands.

“There has to be a good reason for that,” Elisabeth said.

She looked over at Adam. Was he keeping something from her? People did that. They needed to learn not to underestimate her.

He sighed. “Don’t look at me like that, kid. If I knew something, I’d tell you. Hell, I’ve begged Penelope to tell me what she’s so scared of. But all she’d say is that it was safer for everyone if she didn’t tell us what was going on.” He let out a frustrated breath.

Ágata understood. Mama was stubborn. And protective of her.

She just never thought she would leave her.

Pushing back her tears, she took a deep breath. “She told you nothing?”

“No.” He shook his head. “All I know is that she’s been running and hiding for a long time. I don’t even know how she found the money to move around like she did.”

Ágata hadn’t thought about that. Mama had never worked. Where had she gotten the money?

“Maybe my dad had some money saved up.” She barely knew anything about him. His name was Tom Cooper. They had never used his last name, though and she didn’t know why.

Elisabeth and Adam shared a look.

“What? What is it?” She was so damn sick of being kept in the dark. Maybe if she’d pushed Mama more she would have told her what was going on.

Then, she wouldn’t be in this situation.

You can survive this.

“From what we know of your dad, he, well, he wasn’t always on the right side of the law,” Adam imparted.

“What?” She sank into a chair. “No.”

“I know this is hard to hear, sweetheart,” Elisabeth said. “We tried so many times to convince Penelope to leave him, but she wouldn’t. I guess she loved him. He could be charming. So much fun. But then he had this darker side.”

That wasn’t what Mama had told her. She’d said he was kind and fun. She’d never said he was a criminal.

“That’s not true! Mama would have told me.” She stood, anger thrumming through her. Why were they lying to her? Mama was gone and her dad was dead, and all they wanted to talk badly about him?