“We’ve been over this before,” the old woman croaked. “I won’t do it.”
“You don’t understand,” Charlotte’s mom said in a voice choked with tears and desperation. “Her father thinks we’re safe, but he doesn’t know why we had to run. He can’t protect her.”
“Maybe you should tell him the truth, Vivienne,” the woman sighed.
“No,” Charlotte’s mom argued sharply. “Nobody can be trusted. I learned that the hard way.”
“Charlotte’s father shouldn’t pay for the sins of another man,” Dianna’s mother said sadly.
“Please,” Charlotte’s mom begged, hugging her daughter closer to her. “If he finds us or if the Council finds out about her, she needs to be protected.”
“I won’t do it,” the old lady replied, her milky white eyes fixing on Charlotte. “But there’s something else I’m willing to do that
