Page 3 of Glass

She jerks her chin down in a nod, short blonde bob bouncing against her cheeks. “I wish I had answers for you, but I wasn’t lying when you showed up and I said I didn’t know anything that would help. Your mother talked about children, but it was never specific. For all I know, all of her stories might have been about your siblings, the ones you already know.”

I run my tongue along the back of my teeth and weigh my options. It’s only my gut that tells me I can trust Val, that assures she’s telling the truth. How much do I really want to reveal?

But I’m desperate to say the words aloud to someone besides Paxton and Tasha.

“I studied the letter my mother left with you before she disappeared, but I couldn’t figure out whose smeared address was on the envelope. There is something, though. She wrote that letter asking someone to take care of some pups for her. My mother wasn’t selfless enough to worry about anyone else’s children. I think the letter confirms the rumors.”

Her breath catches. “You really think there are five lost pups?”

“I never doubted it, and I think the letter you held onto is the closest I’ll ever get to having my mother verify the fact for herself.” Because even if I could talk to my mother from beyond the grave, I wouldn’t want to.

“So…” She forcibly clears her throat. “Those pups disappeared all because I didn’t protect the envelope well enough in the rain?” Val’s face pales.

I shake my head so hard my hair whips me in the face. I push the length of it behind my shoulders and straighten my spine. “No, they disappeared to save them from being another set of Glass kids.” The fact that they’ve gone undetected all this time means they’re somewhere no one knows who they are. I refuse to consider the alternative–that something unimaginable happened to them. “Wherever they are, someone gave them a fresh start.”

“If anyone can find them,” Val rubs my arm comfortingly, “it’s going to be you.”