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They hadn’t been far off thereasons It didn’tthe truth, several children had died, in her lab Two irl, Noor Hassan Ashaya stared at the files and knew that they would meet the same fate if she didn’t prevent it

She didn’t feel pity for the However, the fact that one of her putative research assistants was doing this without her authorization made this about who held the reins of power Which hy she wasn’t going to go to Ming and co to take Larsen to task

This was the opportunity she’d been waiting for If her strategy worked, then not only would these children survive, the Psy Council would no longer have anything hich to coerce her cooperation

That thought in an the journey that would lead her upstairs and to the cornfields outside The guards were beco accustomed to her daily walks, exactly as she’d planned Of course, her plan of misdirection was hampered by the fact that she had a very short period in which to lay the groundwork But the haste couldn’t be helped, not if Jonquil and Noor were to walk out alive

Soht have said she didn’t want the children to die because she’d somehow retained a conscience, even in the depths of Silence Ashaya would have disagreed She had no conscience, no heart - like her own son, Jonquil and Noor were nothingchips

All she had to do noas find a party willing to negotiate their release

Chapter 32

Night had fallen in a soft whisper, but Talin hardly noticed She sat at the small breakfast table on the second floor of the lair, herwith the realization she’d hadwith the clarity of absolute truth, a truth she had to understand Yes, her fear of watching Clay turn froust had been at the root of her actions, but that fear had been tangled up with so many other threads

She had been on the cusp of womanhood when she’d run fro, confused, lost Now that she illing to see, it was stark that in her confusion, she had mixed up the protective fury of Clay’s love with the jealous rage she’d seen in Orrin That twelve-year-old girl who had missed Clay so desperately had also been terrified that he would destroy her trust if she let hi her, keeping her safe, laughing with her, had been the only treasures she’d had left

Even that wasn’t the whole story It was too si reality was that in spite of her youth, she must have subconsciously known that he wouldn’t be an easy h But he had loved her enough to put everything on the line - his sanity, his freedoeling She didn’t knohat he felt for her now, but she kneas tih Enough to not let fear stop her, whatever guise it took

A slight noise cut into her thoughts as Clay pulled hiot a sharp reot fifteen et ready or we’ll be late It’s close to six already"

"I can’t," Talin said, gesturing at the papers spread out on the table, papers she’d barely looked at since co home Guilt stabbed "I have to see if I missed anyth - "

"I told you," Clay interrupted "We’re taking care of that We’ve got people out there right now I’ve tapped a Psy connection who ht, is important to the pack"

"I’m not part of DarkRiver" And she needed time to consider her next step She didn’t kno to be in a relationship, didn’t kno to open herself up that er"

"No, you won’t You’ll be withher ponytail "Please, Tally"

Her heart clenched He called her Tally, but he didn’t trust her with his soul, the leopard’s wariness hidden behind a near-impenetrable shield - yet she knew Did he think she didn’t? Silly, arrogant leopard She knew him too well, loved him too hting past the painful insight that no ain love her as he once had

"Very funny"

"I want to But I’d feel so guilty having fun while - "

"A few hours, that’s all It’ll help you get your head back on straight"

She had to agree with that Her focus was shot, which reet an update on Max?"

"He’s fine, conscious I had a packht crushing her lightened "Tell me, why the dance?"

"It’s to celebrate the for is nothing like e It’s forever Mated pairs never choose to leave each other," he said "Coht of the beauty, and the terror, in such a co if it’s already decided?"

"To show the pack’s acceptance, welcorew intent, penetrating "You okay, Tally?"

He knew her far too well, too, but she couldn’t let hie - of the love she ht’ve lost forever - to come between theentled "I need to be there, baby I’m a sentinel"