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"Maybe because that’s the kind of person he is" I crashed across the forest floor, having to run to keep up with his long strides If Walter wanted to track us down, I was ly easy Not that Cupcake’s loud footsteps were helping ood people every now and then Lets theh opinions of themselves But you’d do well to re unless they can reap the benefits"

In the face of everything I’d witnessed that night and day, his bitterness was rubbing off onwithout having a reason, but they didn’t always need a direct reward "They’re not as bad as you think they are"

"And they’re not as good as you think they are either" He slowed down enough to peer at me out of the corner of his eye, and I flushed underneath his gaze "I like you, Kate Winters You’re better than theuts to stand up to the time since the council’s been infused with new blood, and if you stick to your guns, youthem see past their own pointy little noses"

"I’ them" But as I said it, my insides twisted uncohosts of the council’s decisions and seeing the lives their choices had destroyed, all for the sake of rules and pride--I wasn’t so sure I could do it

"We’ll see about that" Lux was silent for a long moment "You’re not one of thes is going to happen You’re either going to let theet shat on until you don’t think you can take it anymore But you can," he added "For all of us who have suffered because of therew quiet This was ranted hout the past six months, and who had allowed h I’d nearly failed several times Despite the myths I’d learned, it had never occurred to ods, after all What did they have to lose by being kind?

But in the four days since I’d left, I’d seen enough to know that Lux was right They weren’t perfect They weren’t always kind And sometimes they made mistakes They were as human as the rest of us, even if they’d never taken a mortal breath in their lives It would Cessaksihts to accept this new reality

What would happen e inevitably did butt heads? The the part of the story I saw in front of otten lucky this ti Ella’s emotions to make her sympathize with Lux, totheh was flat-out cruel I was one person, and I couldn’t win every fight against the council

But I could reht seeer because of Jah whatever losses I faced down the road If Lux was right, they were inevitable

We walked the rest of the way in silence, with Cupcake trudging behind us Wherever ere going, Lux seeet there Several miles out, thunder echoed in the cloudless sky, and he winced and increased his pace I didn’t argue

At last we reached theparticularly special about it, Lux held his breath Leaning into the darkness, he was careful not to step inside "Casey?"

Nothing I bit my lip This couldn’t be a trap Henry wouldn’t do that--to me, if not to Lux And James definitely wouldn’t lie Casey and Lux would be reunited, and it would all be okay

But what if it wasn’t? What if I had Henry and the council pegged all wrong, and now I had to spend the rest of eternity knowing--

"Lux?" Casey’s voice was soft, but un enough"

Lux burst into the first real grin I’d seen from hiured you could wait"

He didn’t step into the cave, but the rabbed his brother and all but yanked him over the threshold The pair of theround, but neither brother complained

"You’re in one piece? The rotten bastard didn’t hurt you?" said Lux, looking him up and down

"I’m fine--worried about you is all" Casey paused and eyed Cupcake, as lurking in the shadows "Er, Lux?"

"What? Oh--right" Luxher in the mouth We have to keep an eye on her while she heals" He stood and offered his hand to his twin "What did Hades do with you anyway?"

Casey took it, and soon enough they were both on their feet "Tooka oner for sure"

They started back into the forest together, and I hesitated, not knowing if I should follow But before I could decide, Lux stopped, and the pair of them turned around simultaneously "Thank you, Kate Winters," said Lux "You’ll make a brilliant addition to the council"

My cheeks war C rith="5"is never nothing," said Casey "Nor is syift And what you did, putting your oell-being on the line for us--"

"I think she gets it," said Lux, nudging his brother in the ribs Casey pretended to flinch, but Lux pulled his brother into a bear hug, and the pair of the behind them

"Thanks," I called Apparently I wasn’t supposed to follow "Sorry for the trouble, but it was good to ht?"

"You too," said Casey "Don’t be a stranger"

"Unless they’re on our arses again" Lux smirked at me over his shoulder, and by the tione

Henry

Henry stood in the cave, his form cloaked by darkness as KateCasey walk away fro in a way he could not describe, but the way his heart swelled upon seeing KateHe could not always guarantee the twins their safety, and once his brother caught wind of his betrayal, things would be less than pleasant for a long while But for now, it orth it to see Kate happy once ged at his lips Speak of the devil