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THE CHECKPOINTS WERE BUSY HEADING INTO DEADTOWN, although I didn’t see a single car co out Kane swore under his breath as we joined the end of a line of cars leaving hu in for your rally," I said

"Or ain"

But e pulled up to the booth, the restriction level poster still indicated Code Yelloasn’t surprised The recent attacks had come from zombies, and yellow restrictions kept them in Deadtown Plus the full moon was almost here, so companies would olf e off on retreat

Kane passed our ID cards through theMab still had the forged ID I’d gotten her the last tiuard handed the cards back and raised the barrier, already looking past us to the next car

A couple of businesses had reopened in the New Combat Zone The convenience store rehts on and handwritten OPEN signs on their doors As we passed Creature Coroup of pedestrians pulled open the door Inside business seea couple of drinks before the rally I was glad Axel was getting the business

After we cleared the second checkpoint, it was only a few et tothe sidewalks and spilling into the road Yet pockets of emptiness surrounded the food carts stationed every few yards, the vendors looking dejected The zorew to say so, to Kane Half a dozen times I turned to hiht of his fixed stare, his rigid posture The way heat , I still hadn’t ed a word

"Kane--"

He was already out of the car, opening Mab’s door I got out and re it on the sidewalk "Do you need help with that?" His gray eyes watched me over the roof of the car At last he’d spoken to me, but his formal voice sounded more like a professional liot it," I said

He nodded and turned away Das like this As he opened the driver’s side door, I raced around the car and put et to the rally, but can you wait a couple of et Mab upstairs, but I’d like for us to talk" I’d spentconversations I didn’t want hi to face the issue head-on

If he’d let me

"Please?" I added

He tilted back his head, as if the ansritten on the sky Then he looked at ed "Good I’ll be right back"

I picked up Mab’s bag and ushered uy, not Clyde--and told hi with us for a while Upstairs, Mab stretched out on the couch and closed her eyes "Take your tio and ht Was that even possible? Maybe not All I kneas I had to try

17

KANE STOOD BY HIS CAR, TALKING ON HIS CELL PHONE HE ended the conversation as I walked over He watched me but didn’t shift his posture or open his arms to ue-tied I’d said we needed to talk, but now in the searchlight of his stare I didn’t knohat to do or say

"You should have told me," he said

Five words, each of the to hurt, but because he was right

"I promised Dad"

"You think I couldn’t keep his secret? Me?" His mouth snapped shut and he clenched his jaw "Juliet knew You trusted her, but you didn’t trust s for him" Kane looked at me like I was crazy Maybe I was "What I ht when Dad came to seeAnd still you didn’t tell me You didn’t even bother to ask your dad if he’d mind" His expression clouded "Or did you ask? Is he afraid I’ll try to talk you into handing hiain my freedom? Because" Kane’s voice trailed off His eyebrows knit together as he thought Then understanding widened his eyes "He doesn’t know about that, does he? No one does"

I looked at ot yourself wrapped up so tightly in secrets it’s a wonder you can breathe"

"The choice the Night Hag gave me It’sit’s impossible I don’t knohat to do"

I expected hiry with entle "Don’t you see? That’s exactly when you need to turn to others for help We’ve had this conversation soalone"