Chapter 281

• "My brother used to confide in his nanny," Noemi explained, her voice calm and measured. "With our parents always busy, we spent most of our time with the caretakers. When he passed, his nanny was assigned to me. She knows I like staying hidden, that I don't need the tunnels to learn things. I come here for the quiet. No one can see or hear me, but I can observe everyone else."
• We walked further down the darkened hallway, shuffling as the walls narrowed. Suddenly, Noemi turned, pressing a finger to her lips. I immediately closed my mouth, and my gaze focused on a faint glimmer of light up ahead.
• The light was coming through a small, silver grate—just big enough to see through. Noemi tapped her ears, then pointed to her eyes, signaling for me to watch and listen.