I am Adelina Amouteru, the phantoms whispered to my father, speaking my most frightening thoughts in a chorus of voices, dripping with hatred. My hatred. I belong to no one. On this night, I swear to you that I will rise above everything you’ve ever taught me. I will become a force that this world has never known. I will come into such power that none will dare hurt me again.

How many times have you been called an abomination?” he whispers. “A monster? Worthless?”Too many times.

I keep my eyes closed as tightly as I can, but in my mind, everyone in the square looks like my father and they all have his voice. I hate you all. I imagine my hands at their throats, choking, silencing them, one by one.

So long as I remain in Day's life, I will hurt him. Any other alternative is impossible.Now, he is free.

No. I will never let you hurt Day like that. Not the way I've already hurt him.