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"You’reat all–and I won’t judge you or tell the others Not even Sebastian if it hat you wanted" We’ve always shared a bond that didn’t include the others and this is Curry re to tell him because I feel so alone in this–whatever this is I want to tell hi on in s I have for Avery when I don’t understand them myself?

"Chansey and the babies are out of harSavannah" He’s picked up on where this conversation is going

"I can’t stay" I can predict what he’s going to say but I won’t hear of it "And I won’t have Avery leave this co she deserves after everything she’s been through"

"And what about you? Don’t you deserve to head up the compound you built?"

This is a repeat of the sa to leave and the compound is still the least of my worries "I don’t care about all of this I can build another co yourself for so you couldn’t control?"

Let hi on here It’s easier that way "Leaving will beher some form of peace"

"I don’t think you’re looking to give peace I think you’re looking to find soined but I’ll roll with it "A distance from Avery because I don’t want to look at her every day and be rery "I never took you for a coward"

I should be the angry one since he’s calling ory "CallSebastian and I have discussed it and we decided I’ll ht at dinner because we’ll need a new leader to step up"

"I think you’rea mistake"

"It’s my mistake to make"

"And I can’t talk you out of it?" he asks

There’s only one person that could talkto happen "No My decision’s been ets up and walks toward the door "I still can’t talk you into taking my place?"

He doesn’t even turn back to me as he replies on his way out of my office "No My decision has been made as well"

I return to my bed after my conversation with Curry but I’m unable to sleep How can I when I’m only able to think of Avery and how painful it will be when I’ her but not because I think she will be sad She’s going to be thrilled and her joy is going to breakroo is so to do with drinking blood I love it because Avery’s seat is next to mine and it’s the only time I’m able to touch her

Sometimes I think she likes the feel of her tiny hand insideit because I hear her heart pound with fear I had hoped she would eventually come to trust me and we’d be able to reside under the saave up on that dreao

I’m seated at the head of the table and I take Avery’s hand inI hold it tighter tonight and caress my thumb across the top as I speak She probably finds that bizarre but I don’t care I’ it for myself because this is the last tiive our hunition of the Blood Swan, Rebecca, for her selfless gift of sustenance" As they do every night, the others jointhe rest of the sacraift of The Life, which sustains our existence and gives us strength to do the needed tasks before us"