en

d as the knock

n," I m

presence in the hall." She flicked her fingers, and

I was something precious instead of a runaway. Their hands worked fast, but

e corridor was mercifully short. The hall loomed ahead

saw Z

e room and refused to let go. My breath hitched; I forced myse

ive soon," he said, sud

"Okay." My

g his fingers against the bac

e feel like this never. I hated it, I h

ne with Zaiden's, slicing our palms so our blood mixed. A strange warmth rushed through me. F

down," the p

y my breathing. The voices, the whispers in

but I slipped away. My room fel

n before. His eyes were cold, unreadable. I forced a smile, waving lightly. He d

My body still ached, but for a moment, the warmth was almost comforting. By

as Z

face unreadable, eyes s

he said flatly, stepping in,

fr

," he continued. "I won'

"I can't. Not now. Pl

ite a smile. "Maybe you'll want to talk when I tell the Alph

n cold. "Yo

hone from his pocket, thum

acked, panic floo

sed. "

hing in the sheets. My chest heaved as the m

phone back into his pock