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I reach up to take his hand, curling h his

"Lilac, are you sure?"

I squeeze his hand, looking up at hie I can do this I will hiht the fuse I can’t watch hiaze searches mine for a few moments as I hold my breath Then he ducks his head to kiss my forehead, and turns to lead the way back to the cave

There aren’t s my old life prepared me for Not many skills developed in the world of society, of balls and dresses and intrigue, apply out here in the wild, with this e twist of fate

But at least I’ood liar

"You were found not far from the structure Can you clarify what happened to it?"

"I was trying to get inside Whoever left it last was inconsiderate enough to lock the doors, so we had to get creative"

"And was Miss LaRoux involved in this act of vandalis to survive"

"Shall I repeat the question?"

"Of course she wasn’t"

"And yet you say you were together the entire tiet her hands dirty She waited in the woods, out of harm’s way"

THIRTY-ONE

TARVER

"I WONDER IF THE KITCHEN’S STILL WORKING Just think, real food could be on the other side of that door" She wants to distractthe conversation about the fuse I’ve considered telling her that if she wants to distract me, all she has to do is take her shirt off

"I hope so" My head hurts with ht it She’s done it before If she’s hurt, I can help her better She’s less likely to be hurt

And still