Page 19 (1/2)

"Like they’re real?" Finally, he let that drop "I got out ahead of the troops, but they’re onIf there’re no storoan to take you and your mother if you doan leave"

"Why should I believe you? Theyfor this since the Flash"

"They’re co, Evie I swear it" He lifted a chain around his neck, pulling a jet-black rosary out froht The unusual cross was small but ornate "And I swear to God that you ish they’d never laid eyes on you"

I aluely noted that I’d seen that rosary before, then asked, "Did you tell arded his knuckles, running a finger over a scar "That the decision to stay or leave was yours"

What if I decided to leave once and for all? Away! Out into the world at last!

As ever, I ta ht I’d crave authority so dearly! "Even if your story is true, I can’t travel with her She’s injured, and we’ve got one--et her away from an army?"

"You could ask me for help Or are you too proud?"

"I would do anything to keep her safe" I eon even One could be on his way directly to us this veryfro toto "

Suddenly I understood what had driven et ht about was how horrific CLC had been forither behind

"You can say anything--because you doan knohat that ue more, but whatever he saw in my expression made him think better of it He muttered, "Tête dure" Hard head "We’ll talk after dinner, yeah"

"Dinner?"

"I brought gator oan to melt in your mouth"

I fell silent That would be the first ra had hoofed a rare rattlesnake to death two ot protein, it’d help her heal!

As if he could read ood meal"

Game Set Match

Then I re circular Would he find all of my stores? I’d meant to pickle the rest, so they wouldn’t be so obvious

"That’s right, Evie I figure with all those fresh vegetables, we ought to have a stew"

Shit! I juttedWould he tell Mom? Had he?

"And out in the barn, I found rows of crops Real, live, honest-to-God crops You want to explain that? I’ve been racking ure out that puzzle all afternoon"

"You broke into our barn?"

"After you locked the doors right in front of ht to know by now that if Evie Greene’s got sooan to come up with a way to"

"Did you tell ured out that she didn’t know and kept my mouth shut"

"It would only upset her"

"Woan upset me So tell me about these crops of yours You paint theround? Maybe you got other talents besides seeing the future?"

"Stop talking about that!"

"You tell anyone else about what’s in your barn?"

"Of course not!"

He aze, his eyes dark and intense "Doan you ever tell another, no You can’t iine what people would do for those crops You hear me?"

Shivers slipped up my spine "No one but you, that is?"

"I need to kno you got theeline"

I narrowed my eyes "Silver bells and cockleshells" Blood streams and freaky dreams and dizzy maids all in a row

The corners of his lips curled "You and your secrets Ah, peekôn, just when I think I’ve solved one ure you out one day En garde, cher Consider yourself warned"

Chapter 18

"I can’t believe you just welco to me?" I demanded as I plaited Mom’s hair

She wanted to "look presentable" for our first cooked dinner in ages, and for our first company since the Flash

She’d entreated me to dress up as well, to be respectful of the effort Jackson alone was --since he’d refused all her offers of my help

I’d scoffed, until she finally said, "Dress up, Evie Or go downstairs and insist onyourself useful"

An actual order fro on one of the few nice outfits that still fitblocky heels I even wore loss

With a pang, I’d donned the necklace Brand had given ht before he died

"How could I have talked to you about Jack?" Mom asked now "You were knocked out"

"And you didn’t suspect that he ht have been the one to hurt me?"

"Honestly, Evie, his explanation made perfect sense--I’m surprised you haven’t shot yourself in the foot by now Besides, I have a good feeling about him"