Three Years Later

A Gallagher graduation was something to behold. The matching gowns. The perfect posture. These were girls trained in elegance, in grace, in death.

"You know, I didn't think you'd make an appearance."

I didn't bother turning around. "There's free food."

"Yes… but you always get free food."

Rolling my eyes, I glanced at my cousin. "Sometimes I enjoy eating outside my little wing."

Clara merely shrugged. She looked out at the girls in the field. "It is impressive."

I frowned, eyes flickering back down. Naturally, I found the girl we'd once tied up in an abandoned theater. She sat with her friends. Her sisters. Back straight, eyes alert. She wasn't small or weak. Something told me she'd never allow anyone to make her feel so again.

Turning away from the window, I walked to the edge of the banister and looked down at the decorated halls below.

Clara followed me. "Is Zach back yet?"

I nodded slightly. "Came last night."

She reached out, putting her hand over my own. Over the years, I'd gotten used to the feel of her hands on mine. The gloves were gone. It still felt wrong sometimes, but I'd learned to live without them.

"What's wrong?" Clara's voice was soft and her eyes were concerned. They hadn't been glazed in over a year.

I looked at her, unable to keep the frown from my voice. "He's going to ask Cameron to marry him."

"Oh."

I didn't exactly hate Cameron anymore. But I didn't particularly like her either. Nor did I enjoy being confined to the Gallagher grounds. Or the strict limitations on my whereabouts within the grounds. But I wasn't locked up. Occasionally, I was allowed to show the idiot genius what different poisons could be made with his collection.

Clara watched me warily. "What did Zach say?"

"Just said he wanted me to know. Wanted to make sure I didn't have any objections."

"Do you?"

"Not exactly."

Clara didn't respond, waiting for me to elaborate.

"I can tolerate her. I already have to tolerate her considering she's one of my stupid handlers."

"You know she's one of your biggest advocates."

"Don't tell me that."

She tilted her head. "Why?"

"Just… Don't," I muttered. The last thing I needed was to be reminded Cameron was one of the only reasons I was allowed to stay here. Hardly anyone trusted me. Winters had eventually convinced his girlfriend— fiancée— not to try to kill me every time I moved. Grant hadn't made much progress with the Baxter girl.

Cameron was the reason all of this happened. At least… that's what I'd believed for such a long time, I didn't know what else to think. There was so much to blame. Cameron. Zach. My mother. The Circle.

I always functioned better when I knew who I blamed. But I couldn't exactly act on the blame I built. It hadn't worked. I couldn't forgive. Not yet. Maybe not ever. Neither could Evelyn. She'd be disgusted with me if she could see me now.

But I couldn't keep all the anger inside me, growing and building and self-destructing.

I couldn't keep chasing some sort of revenge.

Revenge is deadly.

.

I... I don't really know what to say. It's been nearly five years.

s.

This story got me through so much... It helped me cope with the move. It showed me I can write, and maybe, just maybe, I could be good at it if I put in the work necessary. These were my first original characters. This story allowed me to realize so much about myself- my love for dark twists and sibling relationships.

Ally Carter's world was the first YA world I ever entered. To this day, I have the first page of every book memorized. I've grown up with Cammie and her Sisters. Thank you, Ally, for creating this world even though you won't ever read this.

I know I went months- at one point, an entire year- without updating, but I never forgot about this story. I was an eighth grader, fourteen years old, when I started this story. Now, I'm in my first year of college. I've written a novel and multiple short stories. (No, they're not posted anywhere.) This project has been part of me for a QUARTER of my life.

So, thank you, guys. Thank you for bothering to read this crazy story. Whether you've been here the whole five years or just clicked on it today. Thank you for every read, every comment, every compliment.

The companion story Ignorance is not abandoned, but it will not be consistently updated.

For a few different reasons, I will not be posting any new stories on this account. Instead, I will be using faeriefully on both FF. net and AO3. You can also follow faeriefully on twitter and/or tumblr for updates on other projects or to message me.

Thank you again for everything, guys. Until next time-

Learn her Skills, Honor her Sword, Keep her Secrets.