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They could not have been more correct

It was unsurprising that wariness should coest monster of them all

There was only one there who kept to Claire's side

"Did they discover who you really are, Nona?"

The old woman wrinkled her brow "I don't think so Even if they did, they had little interest in ations were only about you"

"That seems rather pointless" From the sound of it, Followers had compiled a file packed with random inaccurate information Most of these wo they thought Shepherd wanted to hear Staring dull-eyed at the fire, Claire murmured, "You need to make sure Corday doesn't find out"

"It's not exactly like he can putClaire to rest her head in her lap

"But when the city is free…"

"We have other things to worry about now"

Claire sighed "I wonder what happened to the others, the Oround as she had been? Were they frightened? "I never saw anyone else I don't knohere they are I can't help them"

"Shepherd told me that all had settled into their new place You were the only one having difficulties" It was a subject that disturbed Nona as much as it troubled Claire "Did you know he cao? Your mate claimed you ithdrawn and demanded I tell him how to end your depression"

Hearing such a thing, Claire turned green, doubling over to vomit That was the end of any mention of Shepherd

Nona was a modicum of comfort, but Claire felt adrift—isolated even in the companionship of her kind It led her to stand, to wipe her as' sanctuary without another word

Though it was obvious she wanted to, the old wo to stop her

Just like the last two days, from dawn to dusk Claire wandered Thólos like a wraith

Her absences were hardly commented upon, but Nona was always there with a portion of rations she pressed Claire to eat Once she had her dark-haired friend war by the fire, she would talk nonsense; she would ot to keep answering

For two nights straight, Corday failed to return