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My gaze is pulled toward the door Kyol told o that this isn’t my war I should have listened; I can listen now I can leave this all behind and start living a normal, human life, a life where I won’t be put into a situation where I ht have to kill to survive

I closeisn’t an option anyuys when I first entered the Realm, but they aren’t now I have to undo all the harm I’ve done these last few years

I’ rooht strike outside the back s Shadoist through the backyard Naito and Evanwith two fae I’ve never seen before Evan sturabs his sword

"Naito and Evan," I say, gesturing toward the door as the huer inside

"He’s hurt," Naito says, a needless state from Evan’s chest

Aren drops his sword and helps Evan into a chair He’s pasty white beneath his beard, and his lips are dry and cracked

Lena rises frorabs one of Evan’s shoulders Naito grabs the other Then Lena wraps her hand around the shaft of the arrow and yanks

My stomach lurches, but I can’t tear ushes froers as she presses her pal Naito and Aren and goes still When his eyes close, I half expect to see his soul-shadow rise up He’s not fae, though He’s human and

I exhale when he nods and mutters a thank-you He’s not dead Not yet, at least

Naito straightens He steps back to scan the living roouards, then looking into the kitchen He walks pastback "Where’s Kelia?"

"She’s looking for you," Lena says, accepting a towel fro her hands "She’s fine Or she hen she left"

"Lorn went after her," I add

"Lorn?" Naitounder his breath, then, "She won’t listen to hi thees words with Trev, who opens a fissure and disappears "What happened to you two?"

"Archers," Naito says, walking to the kitchen He picks up the bottle of wine Lorn didn’t have tiate He was hit just before we fissured here"

"Could you have been tracked?" Aren asks

Naito glances into the backyard, then back to Aren "No We looked for humans before weto hi fissures drown out his words He and his guards disappear a lass of wine "You look like you need a drink"

Not as one less than twointo the backyard as if they should have returned hours ago Seriously, if he and Kelia aren’t reunited soon, their story ht become a little too Rolass A heavy silence settles into the living roo in to the weight of the atmosphere Nalst and the other fae take seats as well