Chapter 44

Lucas sat on the edge of the plush chair, knees together, hands folded neatly in his lap. The wood-paneled walls of the cabin felt tight, pressing in on the small family gathering. Across from him, Dr. Aris Thorne leaned back, her fingers steepled. She had a way of looking through people, a sharp, clinical gaze that seemed to peel back layers of skin to see the rot beneath. Lucas kept his eyes cast down, watching the flickering shadow of a candle on the floor. "It's about the connection,...