Chapter 51

*Poppy*

Step by step, I slowly approached the scared girl. My heart pounded, and Iris looked inquisitively at this little huddled creature. She didn't say anything, but I sensed that Iris was trying to remember something that would make us understand this strange need to protect her.

I tried not to make any noise, although my footsteps echoed off the walls, so the girl knew she was not alone in the room. Her rose scent grew stronger with every inch, and her storm of red curls resembled crimson up close in the glow of the lighting.

"Don't trust anyone. No one."

She repeated like a mantra in a quiet, slightly tearful voice.

"Go to the Moon. To the Pope."

Her words rang out louder and more precisely, though she cut them off at the end as if her whisper was turning into silence. I watched her carefully, trying to assess the situation. Azzize said she held her backpack to her chest, but what if she had some weapon on her? I tried to see through her red curls, but they were so thick that it