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"This is stupid, let’s go," Claire said

Kim held up her hands "Wait Just wait We al know she doesn’t havealoud what everyone else knew--and had hoped to keep fros' expressions were ashamed

Jared’s eyes hit the floor

"Did I ht For the first time since we'd arrived, he seemed uneasy

Ki You know too e, and you pose a threat to Hel just by being alive We could pluck out your uterus today and they would stil end your life to prevent ato die, anyway, Nina It’s tihty," Charles whispered

The air was absent of sound Everyone’s eyes were on me, but I couldn’t reply I could barely breathe

"I’ure out another way"

"Is it true?" I said, looking up at him

His eyes fel away from mine, and I knew the answer

"Why is this happening?" I cried, pul ing away frorip

"Nina," Claire said as I passed

I ran outside into the rain Since the day Jack died, my life had spun so far out of control it was hard to reirl It wasn’t fair Eli had instructed , and not to mourn the normal life I once had, but I didn’t want to die-- especial y for a choice I didn't make

Jared was i me in his warm arms "I’m sorry," he whispered, his voice pained "Letet it over with"

A few roup joined us They al waited patiently for eted "I wish there was some e could help you"

Ki theely soft and sad "I won't leave her side until it's finished"

Charles nodded, squeezing his daughter to his side

"Okay," I said, shaking off the fear "How are we going to do this?"

"This is crazy!" Ryan said "Tel her, Jared! There’s no e’re using her for deed, but he didn’t speak

Claire grabbed ing an encouraging s to happen, I want it to be on my terms"

"You’re al insane!" Ryan said, horrified "I feel like I’ you al sentence her to death!"

Kim opened the door to the Sentra "Noe need is a plan," she said

Jared tugged on ers inhe faced the sa, just the noise of the road under the tires, and the rain pounding against the windshield

The ipers danced back and forth, clearing the rain drops long enough to let the next droplets splash into their place Headlights fro slow because of the weather It was Jared that was disregarding the speed limit by at least thirty miles per hour

The decision to use myself as a distraction was mine, but the plan was up to Jared He would be forced to h to spare our lives

"We can do this," Jared final y said, liftingto work, and we’l have the book, and then we can save you"

"I know," I said with a smal smile "I trust you"

"Sweet potato fries," he said, his cloudy eyes glossing over

"Sweet potato fries," I smiled back

Chapter Seventeen

The Roof

Jared paced, brooded, and once in a while, when his thoughts were particularly tor left his face as he played back the different scenarios in his mind Back and forth he paced, sowhen he would wear a trail His inner turmoil could have set the room on fire It was unbearable to watch, but I couldn't leave hiJared's torture as I did Jared had the most to lose, so the plan was his alone Each decision, from the moment we left the house until the book was safe within its wal s, fel on Jared's shoulders Watching that responsibility slowly tear hi

I did not envy his position Just he thought of doing the same made me feel sick to my stomach

Jared stoppedHe had never been a fan of Jared, but we al shared a common thread Whether we liked it or not, if one of us was hurt, ould al falA loss would affect al of us differently, but it would change our lives in the same horrific way

"Colanced at Claire, and then fol owed Jared into the hal way Claire's grip on htened

"You can hear them," I said

She looked down at our hands, and then closed her eyes "Don't ask me to tel you, Nina Let Jared do this his way"

"Okay," I nodded, trusting her judgment

Ryan returned with a solemn expression Uncomfortable at best, afraid was a more honest description He took a few steps toward Claire and I, and then held out his hand

"Feel like going to the pub?" he asked me

My eyes veered to Claire, and uess," I said, looking back to Ryan

"Good Give her so me to stand

Claire reached behind her and held out her pistol "Take it," she shrugged, trying too hard to seem indifferent "I have seven more at home"

My first instinct was to ask a dozen questions, but so told me time was an issue Jared wanted this to be over

I took a deep breath "On the bright side, if I die, I don't have to worry that I didn't study for the test I have in theto die," Ryan said "This is just a test run"

"A test run," I said, looking at the gun in ot"

I fol owed Ryan into the hal , passing Jared along the way He didn't rabbed the sleeve of his shirt

"You don't exactly exude confidence Can you just pretend?"

He forced a smile "I'l see you soon"