_Lisa's POV_
I pretended to cough.
It was sharp and sudden, and I saw my mother flinch. Rylan took a small step toward me, concern flashing across his face, but I gave a quick shake of my head. I was fine.
Or at least, I would be.
In that moment, as I coughed into my hand, I slipped the truthwood shard into my mouth. It tasted like ash and honey at the same time. It was burning yet oddly sweet. I adjusted it with my tongue, pressing it flat against the roof of my mouth like the seer had instructed.
It’s time, Sierra whispered. No more lies.
I nodded slightly to myself. The seer had told me this shard would reveal truth. Anyone who answered me while I held it in my mouth would be unable to lie. The truth would slip from their lips like water, no matter how hard they tried to hide it.
