Page 79 (2/2)

"Yes"

"Okay One night"

I wanted to argue for ht now, I had to do thewait

I’d probably burn the in, but I couldn’t think of anything else I’d rather do

So see what I have in the fridge I’ delicious in there"

Clara beaoodie And then I want a story"

No aht could make me feel as happy as I did in that moment Life seemed suddenly bearable--more than bearable: joyous

Ifor the day when I could hold her hand and not battle the urge to destroy her

Zel nodded and fell into step with me "I don’t think Fox’s stories are quite suitable for your ears, Clara How about we head to the library and pick up a few?"

Clara turned around, wrinkling her nose "I don’t want stories from the library I want real stories" She danced on the spot, twisting her sweater "Oh, and o

Forty-eight hours that were heaven and hell--perpetual aony My nerves were shot, flashbacks of Vasily crept up on me in the worst moments, and I found myself exhausted when I crawled into bed at daybreak

But I wouldn’t change a thing

Self-har every tiers better; understand what made me snap and revert to Ghost, and what alloweda tray of chicken nuggets, I finally got the hang of how to use the oven and had the bestaround a kitchen table I’d never sat at, using skills I’d never had to learn, I indulged in nor such a si hter, and gentleness Not once had we ever been allowed to form attachments Our cells were apart, our meals eaten separately Our only purpose to rest like a stoeapon until a new contract cah A new enemy to kill or vendetta to fulfill on behalf of obscenely wealthy men and women

It’d been worse than a prison sentence, and I felt as if the bars were finally disappearing--I’d found a way to weld myself free, and I would never allow anyone to steal so ht, I gave her the room next to mine--fully aware she would need her own space with Clara I didn’t push for another kiss, or time alone to talk I was content to just have them in my home I htly To not let on just how fucked-up I was, and how much I needed her

Every second in Clara’s presence lifted the black cloud fro and sto in a brand new emotion of happiness It filled me with sunshine and for the first time since they stoleother than death surrounding o to school the next day Instead, Zel allowed her to explore reenhouse when I woke and trailed after ic

I’d wanted Zel the , nothing, co passion I now shed at a quip from Clara, or tossed her dark hair over her shoulder, I inched closer to falling

I didn’t know if she’d accept me, or if she’d leave in a few days and that would be the end of it, but she owned me more than anyone More than ed co--the only correct thing in ed My cock had a mind of its own, and my eyes weren’t content unless she was centrefold, but I refused to hurt her again Inear her if that hat she wished

I ignoredher and hoarded the sweet, unsullied coave me

The next tiive her everything I wanted to make love to her I wanted to learn the difference I wanted her to know I belonged to her

Every now and again, Clara would cough and tears would fill her little eyes Zel would adhs would dissipate Whenever I asked why Clara was coughing, Zel would snap and tellto worry ht Her lies stank, drenched in grief, and the sharp tingle of fear never left hter al to have her look at h She thought I didn’t notice; she thought Clara didn’t notice But we did Often Clara would catch , her little eyebrow raised in question

Zel carried sadness inside, heavy and aching, and she never uttered a word about it

When Zel and Clara went to bed, I oversaw Obsidian Once the last fighter left at five am, I headed to ht was spent out on the lawn under the summer sun Complete with Nutella sandwiches and chocolate dipped marshmallows Zel had rolled her eyes at how easily swayed I was by the whi orders was in htsuch simple, innocent requests from someone so tiny

I would kill for her without question I would protect her with my life

When dinner was over and Zel announced it was Clara’s bedtied three bronze statues into her bedrooed her I adored her

I’d never been so consumed by one person Every time I watched her liveliness, my heart would break for Vasily and all the children like h for the warped game of our handlers