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“Are all the pretzels yours, or just the plain ones?” Darien asked him.

“Just the plain. If you want the yogurt pretzels, go on and take them.”

Darien grabbed the twist-tied bag of yogurt-covered pretzels.

“You don’t even really like those,” Loren accused softly.

“You do.” He gave her another wink.

Her stomach filled with butterflies. “You should be choosing the snacks thatyoulike,” she said.

“I’ll do what I want, Loren Calla,” he crooned. “Besides, knowing you, you’ll finish yours right away and then reach for mine, so I might as well be prepared.” The crooked smile he gave her made those darn butterflies flutter faster.

“What do you guys think,” he began, addressing the group as a whole. “Should we try a hotel?” The ash end of his cigarette glowed as he put his mouth on it.

Loren tore her eyes off him. Searching for anything—anything at all—to look atbesidesDarien’s unfairly attractive mouth. She settled for a pop can that had been flattened by someone’s tires.

“I highly,highlydoubt any rooms will be available,” Lace said. Cool air eddied around her, swirling her moon-pale hair.

“Probably not,” Darien agreed. “I’m good to keep driving, but it depends on how the rest of you feel. Jacky?”

“I don’t care,” Jack mumbled. He was leaning against the truck, hands in his pockets. Gazing north—toward Yveswich and the wife he’d left behind.

Loren’s heart twinged for him.

Darien took his phone out and checked the screen. Put it away.

Still no messages; she could tell from Darien’s expression.

“We’ve got a long drive, but it’s your call,” Darien told Lace. “Are you good, or are you going to fall asleep at the wheel?”

She held up her energy drink, stiletto nails tapping the can. “I think I’ll be just fine.” She swigged, long and deep.

“I need to run back inside before we go,” Darien said.

“What for?” Lace asked.

“Smokes.” He tapped the ash off the one burning in his left hand. “Need anything?”

“I could use some, actually. I’m almost out. And gum.”

Darien’s eyes—grayer than blue in this light—found Loren’s. “I’d like you to come with me.”

She didn’t argue. Besides, she was thirsty and needed water to take her medication.

“Jack’s really upset,” she said as she walked back to the store with Darien.

“He has every right to be.” He paused by the trash can, taking one last pull on his cigarette before disposing of it in the ashtray.

“You haven’t heard anything?” They were far enough away that Jack probably couldn’t hear them, but she whispered just to be safe.

“I’ll tell you the minute I have.” He held the door for her as she walked in.

They had to stand in line for a while. As they waited, she watched the television mounted above the tills.

The news channel was covering the situation in Yveswich, but what the anchors were telling the public was vague. The names they were giving it weresecurity breach, power outage,andblackout. A rare occurrence that had prompted government officials to restrict access to the city. Nothing was said about theshadows, the portal, the forcefield, the new breeds of monsters with brute strength… Even the fact that the Fleet had been called to the city was being left out.

Loren turned and looked at Darien. “Are you watching this?” she whispered.