Page 27 (1/2)

I change inme despite et to the Park

In spite of its na like that exists in Black City anymore The Park is short for Park Boulevard, an old street in the rich part of the city that was boate creaks as I open it The street looks like a photo negative; the white round is dusted with snow

It’s eerily quiet as Sebastian and I stroll down the center of the road I study the houses on either side of us, their roofs long gone and their s blown out by the bombs Many of the structures have collapsed into piles of rubble Even though the residents were evacuated a year ago, ghostly echoes of thes back soet

We approach the ly takesis now broken, derelict, and covered in ash Thorny vines twist around the house, slowly dragging the building back into the earth

"It’s like so from a dreanize it at all"

I make a quick et the chance I never got around to it the night I o

Gregory sits on the stone steps by the front door of the n on the front door reads: DANGER! UNSTABLE STRUCTURE KEEP OUT A large bonfire has been lit on the lawn, and several groups of people huddle around it toastingslightly apart fro to be with the to be on her own, either

Ash’s black eyes flicker in the firelight The s my aring my arm free "If you care about me at all, you’ll just play nice Okay?"

Sebastian looks at Ash, then back at me A dark emotion flickers across his face My breath catches in

"Whatever , and I stand opposite Ash, close enough so he knows I’m with him, but not so close that Sebastian has any more reason to be suspicious

Ash’s face is hard like stone

"Sorry," I mouth

He turns his attention back to the bonfire I want to go over to hi

"So, Fisher," Sebastian says coolly, "are you excited about your first hunt as a Tracker later this week?"

Ash’s fist clenches

"Don’t taunt hio on a hunt With everything that’s been going on, I’d forgotten all about it How can I hunt Darklings now that I’e how Ash is feeling about it

Ash stares at the fire, acting like I don’t exist His skin takes on a war him appear al would be so much simpler We could hold hands in public, we could kiss, we could be together--really together, like a regular couple But then he wouldn’t be Ash

"When did you convert to the Purity?" Day asks Sebastian, warily eyeing his shaved head

"A few days ago I had a aze toward Ash "Purian Rose showed me the error of s If I don’t clamp down on the nipper threat, then before you know it, they’ll be roa our women"

My heart beats rapidly Ash’s mouth twitches

"Of course, you’d never do that, would you, Fisher? Fragg a huh!" I say

He gives me a malicious smile "Sorry, sweetheart"

"Don’t call ether," he says

"Don’t push it, Sebastian Reirlfriend," I say

Sebastian’s green eyes darken with anger "Yes, s his hands deep into his pockets and walks down the pathway leading around to the back of the ory watches hi to the restroo a s into that house The structure isn’t stable," he says

"Where else do you suggest I go? In the bushes?" I reply angrily

He grabs er oncurses under his breath

I follow Ash, hoping none of the other kids will risk co into the house afterwith ate the loose floorboards I find Ash in the kitchen, running a finger through the thick dust on the countertop

"I told Sebastian not to come He wouldn’t listen"

"You told me he wasn’t your boyfriend"

"He isn’t! We broke up o" I bite my lip "Are you mad at me?"

"No" He walks out of the kitchen and heads into the study across the hallway

I chase after hi like you’re mad at me"

"I’m not"

"Then ouldn’t you look ata painting clatter to the ground I flinch

He turns his glistening eyes on asp "What?"

"Your scent is all over hi that when Ash grimaces

"He’s just a friend Actually, he’s not even that He works for me"

There are two overturned chairs on the floor, and Ash picks one up and sits down The scene brings flashes of et