Chapter 11: First Night

I did not go to the car.

I stood on the bridge and listened to it.

The sedan's rear window was rolled down, and through it I could hear one mind, the driver's, and it was bored.

"She's not in there," I said, loud enough for the whole line to hear.

"My sister isn't in that car. He left her somewhere else."

Dorian's smile held a moment too long.

The red beard looked at the car, then at Dorian, then at me.

Slowly he picked up his rifle by the barrel and walked across the bridge to the Kestrel side.

Nine more went with him.

The rest turned and drifted away down the road, one at a time, not looking at their Beta.

Dorian stood alone in the headlights.

For one second the pleasant mask came all the way off.

I heard the thought that went with it.

Not today. But I will take her apart.

He got into the car and drove away.

I made it back across the bridge on my own feet.

Then Ronan had me against his chest, and his arms were shaking.

"Don't ever," he said into my hair. "Don't ever do that again."

"It worked."

"I know it worked."

His mouth was at my temple.

I could feel his heart slamming against mine.

We got back to the lodge somehow, through the noise and the congratulations.

Wynn hugged me hard and said a word I will not repeat.

Then it was quiet, and the stairs were empty, and we stood outside the east room.

My hands were still trembling from the bridge.

"Good night," Ronan said. His voice was rough. "Lock the door."

"Separate rooms," I said. "Isn't that the term?"

"Calla."

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