Page 50 (2/2)

At that ot this weird look on their faces: stubborn and unsure, even though they never let go of each other Apparently a plan was afoot, and once again, she’d been shut out of it How incredibly not surprising

At that point Mateo said he had to go back to La Catrina to help his dad, even though there was no way people in toould so ht for anyplace but the hospital That ive Nadia a ride hoh the lot was croith haphazardly parked cars, nobody else seemed to be around Their footsteps sounded unnaturally loud, as did her car when she cranked it

"Give it a second to war of both her ancient car’s h the vents even though she had the heater on "Hey, is so on with you and Mateo?"

Nadia huddled farther down in the seat, wrapping her down jacket around her until she seeo after Elizabeth And we had a fight, which I keep trying to tell uess after Mom and Dad--it’s hard for ht about Elizabeth?"

"That and other things" Nadia looked almost shamefaced, and Verlaine wondered what level of confession was on the way But the conclusion was only, "Mateo thinks I don’t love hiure out why he’d ever believe that"

Verlaine had to laugh "Asa"

"Huh?"

"I would bet any amount of money that Asa screith his head He’s tried to screith ht?" Immediately Nadia looked abashed, and Verlaine shook her head "Demons manipulate people It’s what they do Asa says so himself Sounds like he did a nuroup who understood him?

Nadia shook her head slowly "Okay, that is--a pretty strong theory"

"So ask Mateo about what Asa’s said lately Bet that clears it up right away"

"I will Thanks, Verlaine"

"Whatever" Verlaine scrunched down farther in her seat, ready to end the conversation but somehow not yet ready to drive

"Are you mad at hed "It’s hard being on the outside all the time"