Chapter 12: Zachary at the Gate

Zachary was waiting at the south gate the next morning, and he was alone.

He stood with his hands at his sides on the red gravel, in the same jacket he had worn on Application Night.

It was too thin for the weather.

His lips were blue, and he had clearly not slept.

The students crossing the courtyard slowed down to look.

"Cassie," he said.

I stopped ten feet away.

Polly stopped beside me, and I felt her arms fold.

"Zachary."

"Can I talk to you?"

"You're talking."

"Please."

"Say it here," I said.

He glanced around at the watching faces.

His jaw worked.

"Bea's wolf is gone," he said.

My chest went cold.

"What do you mean, gone?"

"Her wolf stopped answering a week ago. Moonridge sent her home last Friday.

"She can't shift. She can't run." His voice shook. "She sleeps most of the day.

"The healers can't find anything."

"I'm sorry."

"Your mother says it's you."

"She said that to you?"

"She says only you can fix it."

He took a step toward me.

"Cassie, she's dying. I don't know what else to call it. Please come home."

I looked at him.

He had waited for me after school on days nobody else did.

I had never told him what that meant to me.

"Do you remember what you said on Application Night?" I asked.

He flinched.

"I said I'd go where Bea goes."

"In front of everyone."

"Yes."

"You gave up Black Hollow."

"I did."

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