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Asha’s hands clenched into fists on top of the table, and I took a deep breath, willing myself to remain calm. I hoped Kimmy had a solid response. Unfortunately, she faltered for a moment, pausing briefly as she saw Asha’s curled fists, then seemed to regain her composure .

“Asha has shown herself to be capable,” Kimmy said. “She has knowledge of gang tactics to aid in defence. She’s a chemistry teacher who may be able to offer help with making medicines and other things we need. She’ll be an asset to anyone who needs her.”

Notably absent from her argument was any personal feelings for Asha, unlike John’s appeal for me.

Asha was clearly affected, because she bit her lip hard, and her knuckles whitened as she dug her fingers into her palm.

I feared her reaction wasn’t reflecting well on either of us; several council members eyed her cautiously.

“We will now hear arguments against,” Abby announced. “Any member is free to take the floor.”

John and Kimmy took their cue to sit, and John finally looked my way.

He gave me a short nod of reassurance. Several people stood and made their way to the centre to speak, and my stomach dropped.

Rationally, I hadn’t expected unanimous approval, but John and Kimmy’s impassioned pleas had given me false hope.

An elderly man spoke first, railing against the abandonment of the ‘old ways,’ that the Valley had survived this long due to its secrecy and exclusivity, and that letting in two women from a compound could only spell trouble for their little community.

“All this hullabaloo about the PNCs, and how many did they actually bring back?” he demanded, hitting the ground with a wooden cane.

“Only enough to maintain vital systems. Without more, we’ll still have to survive with less.

They’ve only given us a temporary stay of execution, yet they act like they’ve saved us all. ”

I frowned before I remembered to force my face back into a neutral expression. I didn’t understand. John had told me that we’d found far beyond what they needed. Had he been wrong? Why hadn’t he told me?

Two young women went next—twin sisters with pretty copper skin and dark hair, who stared at John in a way that made me a little uncomfortable.

“I don’t think it’s fair,” the woman on the left said, folding her arms. “This outsider is allowed to just take one of the few single men in this community? We didn’t—I mean, nobody else even got the chance. ”

I flushed as a couple other young women nodded in agreement, and Asha rolled her eyes. Meanwhile, Kimmy covered her mouth to hold in her giggles as the corner of John’s mouth quirked up in amusement.

“I’m flattered, Asra,” he said wryly, “but it wouldn’t have worked between us.”

The twins both turned bright red and shuffled back to their seats.

A middle-aged farmwife followed the old man and talked about how unnatural—and therefore untrustworthy—we appeared.

“With their skin like glass and eyes bright as stars, they barely seem human,” she said nervously.

“There’s a freakish look to ’em, isn’t there?

Who’s to say what’s been done to them? They don’t look quite real, and I’ll wager it’s because they’re not.

Whatever chemicals have been given to them have probably addled their brains, too. ”

Several people nodded, and my heart dropped. Asha looked angrier than ever, and John and Kimmy’s faces had hardened.

“They’re just unnatural,” she added, her eyes raking over me. “You really want this chit’s demon spawn running around with your kids?”

I flinched, and John’s jaw twitched.

A young man of perhaps twenty went next. He stared blatantly at me, gaze roving over my form, undressing me with his eyes. I swallowed uncomfortably and looked away, but he lingered for another couple seconds before speaking.

“I agree with Adelaide,” he said, nodding at the farmwife. “They’re something unnatural about them. Wouldn’t throw either of them out of bed, but…”

There was a burst of outrage from multiple sources, and John had sprung to his feet, his expression furious.

“Order!” Abby called over the din. “Ed, call your son to order or I’ll have him thrown out.”

Jameson, to my surprise, appeared irate.

“Zach, sit your ass back down,” he barked at the young man, then turned to John. “You too, Madigan. Lay a finger on my son and you’ll have far bigger problems than the expulsion of your ladylove.”

My cheeks burned.

John looked like he could’ve cheerfully strangled him, but I was relieved when he jerked a nod and sat back down.

A couple more council members stood to argue against keeping us, but they mostly regurgitated the same points.

Mercifully, none of John and Kimmy’s closest family friends—the Armstrongs, McNeils, or the Hardings—spoke against us.

John’s faith in their loyalty hadn’t been misplaced.

Finally, they called for the vote. Asha assumed a stoic expression that I couldn’t mimic. I chewed the inside of my cheek, tasting blood. My stomach twisted, and I was afraid I may be sick. I took a painful swallow and waited.

“All in favour of the motion?”

A bunch of hands shot up, but not as many as I’d hoped. It looked to be about half.

“All against?”

The other half of the room raised their hands, and my heart sank. No matter the decision, it was going to be close.

“The motion is denied,” Jameson announced, sounding pleased. “As discussed at the opening of the meeting, both outsiders will be escorted off Valley lands with only what they carry on their person.”

“No,” I whispered, frozen with shock. Asha squeezed my hand as Jameson’s son and a couple other men approached the table where we sat.

John was on his feet in an instant.

“Hold it!”

The room stilled at the sound of his voice, cold as ice, and everyone turned to look at him.

“I didn’t want to do this,” he said, holding up his hands, a mirthless smile curving his lips. “I gave you all the chance to do the right thing. But maybe you need a nudge.”

He crossed his arms. “What old Albert said is true: I gave the council enough PNCs to keep the essential functions of your homesteads running. Enough to keep the lights on and the water working, but not much more. Your mistake was assuming that was all I had.”

All the air went out of the room. All eyes were now fixed on John.

“That’s right,” he said, almost taunting. “I’ve got more than enough for probably a few lifetimes. I’d never leave you out in the cold…but keep your lives as easy as they’ve been, with automated farming equipment, machines, and so on? Nah, I don’t have to do that.”

There was a brief, heavy silence.

“You’re obligated to hand them over, Madigan,” Jameson said, an angry tremor in his voice. “You owe it to this community. ”

“I’ve given you what I owe,” John said, defiance set in his jaw. “Anything more is a favour you’re asking me. I’m your only shot at getting your hands on them.”

There was an outbreak of loud, frantic chatter at this. Jameson yelled over the din, calling for order, but it took several minutes for everyone to settle.

“What do you propose, John?” Abby asked once quiet had been restored, her grey eyes wide.

“Accept Claire and Asha as full members of the community,” John said, “or I swear, you’ll never see a single PNC from me. I’ll gladly watch your equipment break down and your harvests shrink, because if you’re that stubborn, you don’t deserve my help anyway.”

He shrugged. “Your choice.”

I gaped at him. Abby’s lip curled slightly, but I couldn’t tell whether she was angry, impressed, or both by John’s audacity.

“Very well,” she said. “We’ll call a vote, but I don’t think the result will be in doubt. We’ll then open negotiations. At this time, I think it no longer appropriate for Claire and Asha to be present. I’d ask that you ladies wait outside the council chamber until discussions have concluded.”

I nodded and stood on wobbly legs, clammy with nerves.

Somehow, I made it to the door with Asha.

I looked back at John just before leaving, and he gave me a small, almost sheepish smile.

I have a plan. I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes.

The man never ceased to amaze me…but a little warning wouldn’t have gone amiss.

Asha and I waited in the common room. I collapsed into one of the armchairs while she paced the length of the room.

My heart pounded in my ears. What would I do if they didn’t take the bait?

What if they hurt John? I didn’t think his closest friends would stand for that, but I also couldn't be sure what the rest of them were capable of.

Voices spoke animatedly back and forth in the next room, but I couldn’t make out what they said. I stared at the closed council room door, willing it to open, but it was at least another twenty minutes before it finally did. I was in agony the entire time.

The door banged open, and the entire council filed out. The Armstrongs, Hardings, and McNeils flashed us sympathetic looks, while others stared at us with open hostility. I didn’t care; I only wanted to see John. He exited second to last, Kimmy at his side. Abby and Jameson followed behind them.

“Remember, Madigan,” Jameson said severely, “one wrong move, and they’re both out. Come spring, you’ll be expected to keep your end of the bargain—whether you’re still interested in the redhead by then or not.”

“I’m aware,” John replied irritably. “And I’ll thank you not to talk about my wife like that.”

Jameson grunted. “We’ll see.”

He turned and followed the crowd out of the Lodge. Abby stared at John with raised eyebrows.

“You’re certainly Oisín’s grandson,” she said. “I hope you’ve found your Aoife.”

With a small smile, she left. I waited until it was just the four of us before hurrying over to John. I couldn’t help but throw my arms around his neck, pulling him into a tight embrace. My pounding heart still hadn’t fully recovered.

“You insane man!” I exclaimed, exhaling heavily as I hugged him hard. “What did you do that for? You didn’t even warn me!”

“I couldn’t,” he said, gently wrapping his arms around me. “I was hoping I wouldn’t have to do it. And they had to see it wasn’t your idea. You had to be as surprised as everyone else.”

“Did that have anything to do with where you snuck off to yesterday?”

“Yeah,” he answered, kissing my hair. “I stashed the extra PNCs in the safe at Summerhurst.”

“Well, don’t ever scare me like that again. I was afraid they’d hurt you.”

John scoffed. “When I’m their only chance at keeping their lives nice and easy? Not likely.”

I slapped a kiss against his cheek and then released him. Kimmy had left John’s side to meet Asha and was now murmuring something that sounded vaguely apologetic. John caught my chin in his hand and tilted my face up to him.

“The risk was worth it,” he continued, smiling. “You and Asha are staying with a six-month trial period. If all goes well, we’ll get married in the spring, and you’ll become a full member of the council.”

“That’s amazing,” I trilled, unable to control my excitement .

“And there’s one other thing,” John said, and to my surprise, he suddenly looked a little shy. “They’re finally going to let me be an outrider.”

I couldn’t help throwing myself at him again, hugging the life out of him. He gasped at the air being knocked out of his lungs, then laughed breathlessly as he hugged me back.

“I’m so proud of you, darling,” I gushed, squeezing him hard. “Saving the day as always. My handsome hero.”

To my surprise, he flushed as I pulled back.

“Now you’re just embarrassing me.”

I laughed. “And I’m just getting started.”

He gave my backside a playful swat as we headed for the door.

I glanced back at Kimmy and Asha, who lagged behind us, still talking in low voices.

To my relief, they looked happier now, and Kimmy even arched up and kissed Asha’s cheek.

It only lasted half a second, but I grinned, and when Asha saw me looking, she blushed and made a shooing motion.

I’d seen the beginnings of a real smile on her face, though, and that lit me up from the inside.

There’s hope yet—for all of us.