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“That’s what you’re thinking about right now?”

“My brain gets loud when the world falls silent.”

“I don’t know. Maybe we can still talk to them… now that my father is gone.”

“They don’t seem like the type to let something like this go.”

“Maybe. Still, we can try. If not… we’ll be ready.”

“Ready for war?” I asked, looking over at him.

“If it comes to that. I won’t let anything happen to you or your brother.”

“I think he’s come to admire you a bit.”

“I’m not sure about that, but I’ve been trying. I won’t blame him if he decides to hate me.”

I shook my head. “He doesn’t hate you. I know him well enough to know. Just give him some time.”

Lucien nodded. He then peeled off the interstate, taking an exit I didn’t expect him to take. We weren’t even close to Salem, yet. We hadn’t even really left Boston, but he had to have known where he was going.

He took his hand off my lap, reached into the glovebox, and pulled out a blindfold.

I stared at it, eyebrows arching. “Lucien?” I asked.

“Put this on,” he said.

“Are you serious, right now.”

“Yes. Put it on.”

Rolling my eyes, I took the blindfold and wrapped it around my face, tying the knot behind my head. It wasn’t much longer before Lucien stopped the car. “Does this contact of yours really like privacy, or something?” I asked.

“Or something. Let’s go.”

“Go where? I can’t see!”

“Open the door, step outside, and wait there.”

“I really don’t like this,” I said, “But alright. You first.”

“No, otherwise you’ll peek.”

“Dammit.”

Begrudgingly I stepped out of the car, fumbling awkwardly for the handle and being extra careful not to catch my hands on the door when I closed it. I wasn’t sure where we were, but I could hear soft music in the distance, the push and pull of waves, and the gentle whoosh of a salty breeze.

“Where are we?” I asked.

“Just wait,” came Lucien’s voice.

I heard him pop the trunk, rustle around inside, and then shut it again. The car bleeped as Lucien locked it, and a moment later, he wrapped his hand into mine. “Ready?” he asked.

“Ready for what?!”

“C’mon.”

Lucien ushered me gently across the asphalt, letting me know when there were steps to climb or go down. As we walked, the music began to rise, as did the sound of voices, people talking, glasses, cutlery. The closer we got, the more I thought I smelled seafood.