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“Shit!” She pushes my hair off my face. “What do I do? Georgia, please?—”

“Get out!” A snarl, one that doesn’t scare me. He’s never scared me, if I’m being honest. I suppose now’s the time for it, to be open and truthful about the nightmare I’m living.

Evie stands. “What did you do to her?” she shrieks. “Look at her! She’s catatonic!”

Am I? I don’t think so. I’m just not here. Leave a message.

Valen, his big body taking up so much space in the shower, sits down in front of me and pulls me into his lap.

“How dare you touch her!” Evie screams.

“Do you have any sedatives?” Valen’s voice is calm, smooth. “Perhaps in the lab?”

“No, I don’t have any fucking sedatives. This isn’t a pharmacy!”

He cradles me against his chest. “Leave. Now. She’s safe with me.”

The droplets hum, drumming on my head and against Valen’s dark sweater. It’s turning black now, soaking up the water. Or perhaps it’s blood. Aang’s blood. My blood?

Evie doesn’t answer. I think maybe she’s gone like me.

“Georgia?” Valen’s voice is soft, velvety. Blue eyes envelop me, holding me safe in a bubble deep under the sea. “I need you to drink.”

How do I tell him I can’t because I’m not even here?

“It’s all right.” He re-positions me so the water doesn’t land in my face. I see him clearly now. The way he looks at me. The emotion in his eyes.

“I’m not here,” I say softly.

“That’s all right.” He smooths my wet hair off my forehead. “I am.”

“What are you?” I ask.

“Yours.” He bites his wrist then presses it to my mouth. “Sleep, Georgia.”

I taste the first bit of metallic warmth, more of it filling my mouth as I embrace nothingness, running towards midnight oblivion with my arms spread wide.

28

“—did this to her!” Gage’s shout almost wakes me, bringing me to the edge of consciousness.

“You’re lucky I don’t gut you right here, right fucking now.” Valen, his tone cold as death and twice as dark.

“You told me you’d protect her. You?—”

“She is not your concern. She ismine.” Valen’s snarl echoes around my halfway dreaming mind.

“He could’ve killed her. You weren’t there!” The accusation in Gage’s voice is sharp and acidic.

“Don’t you think I know that!” Valen roars. “I was busy working with your pathetic military trying to get her somewhere safe before Gregor comes for her. You’ve failed me on that front, and you continue failing me as you have for years!”

They’ve known each other for years?

I dip back into whatever dream I’d been having. I was somewhere sunny, palm trees overhead. Music floats on the warm breeze, the gentle ocean waves lap at my feet.

“—something that can change things. She’s found a compound or a poison. Something we can use.” Gage is conspiratorial now.

“What?”