Page 30 (1/2)

It was hard not to think of hie

But all of that was a diversion so that he could not, for a moment, think about what Case had just said Which he knew in his heart to be true

Ryder tried to center himself, to breathe "She’s disappeared," he said as calone to find your ly

Ryder held his teerous for anyone, but especially for her and her sisters"

"And this has what to do with me?"

"Don’t bullshit ht into Case’s eyes "Regardless of how you hurt her, you care"

"Who’s bullshitting who, shifter?" Case srin that didn’t quitecoe you’re about to do At least I never pretended to be anything but what I a, in word or deed Can you say the sa shifter’s insight

"Right--tell , even if you never said a word" Case waited until he saw that the whole truth had sunk deep into Ryder’s bones, and then he dragged on his cigarette and exhaled, shrugging

"But don’t feel too bad about it It’s our nature, after all, isn’t it? And who knows that better than sweet Cait?"

Ryder felt sick with the truth of it

Case’s face hardened "Well, maybe she went out there in that crazy little way she has--because she doesn’t care what happens to her She knows you’ll be gone on the next train, or tradewind I know Sister Goldenhair She’ll go out fighting, save everyone she can in the battle--but when her light goes out…"