't sleep t
d buried and a fear she couldn't quite name. Even wrapped in the warmth of her silk
while y
re woul
n silence. A contract with Don Allerick Moretti, the
ul away, but at least
s unusually quiet. That was ho
avoided her gaze, their lips tight with unspoken tension. Maren
She headed straight
rounded by a half-circle of men,clieutenants, by the look
didn't ev
r behind you,"
ut remaine
know what's
sharp cheekbones, opened his mouth to prote
ly," Alleri
d, arms folded. "D
red. "This isn't a te
toward him. "That's my
llowed his
ly at Allerick. "Is
id. "This i
tartle
ed a thin black folder on the desk. Alleric
e surveill
h
. Reading in the library. And most damning of
her blood
d me wa
y roof. Of course
Zavier came
know you hesitated. And hesitat
ords
etray you,"
rgot what game
th. "You want loyalty
hen Allerick dismissed the ot
eora suspicious glances. When t
d. "I told you about the
l me about Zavier u
l processing the fa
s cloud
so good at s
dn't
"Is it just strategy? Spite? Or do you actu
er, his gaze l
"And right now, you're the only v
ed her. But somehow, i
a risk,"
id, "but maybe y
he laundry room, scrubbing a bloodstain out
," she
n looked up. Her ey
eora asked gently,
said n
me. What
p. "They interrogat
hy
she whispered. "He said he just wa
trying to help. They won't hu
's hands
estion someone. Just to remind
h twisted. "Th
vivors," Mar
om with a fire ri
he training room, watch
wait for
her watc
"She needs to understand
a tee
a lia
loyal
d. "You think this world has room fo
d up to him
meone to remind you wha
k stare
e, she thought she saw
he didn't sle
halls until she reached the wing
sonal q
her through w
once befor
books and a low amber light. He
re to fight
red. "Because I'
ant to understand. You.
ted. "That's
y, "You said I was a variable. What h
Then maybe I stop se
seeing me
long moment. "As someon
eath c
om pain," she said. "I just need y
ed the book i
like anyon
t a goo
t dangerous t
t leave t
t old books. About their childhoods. Abo
nce, something fragile an