ien

trembling only when e

blanket for dear life, loosened. Her

certain she was deep under

le sound would wake her. For a long moment, I stayed

d on her

shak

ear in he

in my mind l

lly resurface and slipped out of her r

leep. Even the guards spoke in hushed t

for the E

d gate opened for

Iron doors lined the corridor, the faint groans and low hum of machinery seepi

existed for

ght, it

eel door to my private hall, his

"I did not expect

lly slept,"

understanding and

e warmth across the room. I slipped

rt,"

he alley." He paused, choosing his words with

my shoulders. "Tradition. The city

e displays are unwise, Damien. The a

arpened. "Did so

knock sounded. Laurence entere

rusion," he said. "But

pe

rehouses was r

til

said coldly. "Th

ence interrupted, his voice straine

y silence fi

arrowing. "How many men

itated. "...

g. Too many. Now my weapons,

ut," I

nked.

y gaze swept the r

and left. The door slam

ds calmly. "You beli

. "Someone in my circle is fee

eed. "Your influence has g

anted me

tra

rably

ance suggested. "Feed false rou

ing into place in my mind. A false route

my voice low. "An

ood. We stood in silence for a moment,

shifted, gentler.

She's shaken. More

nce said softly. "Violence... s

ness surprised me. "A

is voice firm but not unkind. "Locking her inside will only make her

n't r

r go back to school. Let h

not

e said. "And she won't be alon

aw tightenin

d like s

prepare a driver an

ed, then added w

thes. Books. Girls her

ent. "I'll just give her an unlimited credi

like a proper husband," Mr. Van

ea

d, the heavy door

fire, Rachel's terrifie

l; no authority searching for me would look her way at a community college

l-a habit I'd buried years ago, one I only e

, took out a ciga

urned, but it stea

he frustration of the police i

d as it landed on a small picture fram

touching my lips as I looke

sa Mo

he young boy beside her-myself. My face was blank and tire

aped me, turning i

ees hit the ground, the frame clutched tightl

ressing into my forehead, desperately fi