page7 (1/2)

"It isn't that simple, Claire"

She looked to Senator Kantor, lost "Isn't it?"

A deep sigh preceded Senator Kantor's explanation "You are still young, and will learn in tis are not always as they seem"

Claire cocked her head, her previously glowing iarded a Senator distorted by the sad i… You just echoed the words of a madman"

Senator Kantor offered a conciliatory s you to trust me"

Corday understood what riled her; bone deep, he felt the saress every day, Claire I swear it to you"

Claire looked to her friend and could see he had faith in the Alpha charged to lead the rebellion

"I understand" And she did She understood that the longer they waited, the htmare where the ht hand her back to a despot for food that would only last so long

She understood perfectly

She hurt; everyone hurt And it had to end

Once Senator Kantor had left, Corday took her hand, and led her back to the couch to rest When he had her to hiift out of his pocket

"I have so to cheer you up" The Enforcer, his face diers "A feeeks ago I went to your residence Everything was pretty s of your jewelry box"

He slid a band of gold on her finger

The gold arm, but Claire's reaction to it utterly cold "This was "

As a child she'd hated the sight of it, still angry herto accept what had happened Claire had forgotten she'd even had it tucked away Now it fit, just like herup her hand to view the gri, she saw the correlation to herreminder that one could always choose

"Thank you, Corday"