Marlowe
The old man's words landed heavy across the yard, and I watched King's jaw tighten, understanding, the same way I did, that whatever authority he carried as President had real limits when it came to a law this old, this foundational.
"He's right," I said, before King could respond, stepping out from behind him despite every instinct screaming to stay hidden.
The whole yard's attention swung to me at once, and I felt my heart hammering, but I made myself stand there, exposed, unshielded, and speak for myself instead of letting King absorb this fight entirely alone.
"I lied to every single one of you," I said, voice unsteady but growing steadier with each word. "About my name. About what I am. I understand why that feels like a betrayal, and I'm not going to stand here and preten
