Total pages in book: 114
Estimated words: 109540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109540 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 548(@200wpm)___ 438(@250wpm)___ 365(@300wpm)
“I will never hurt you.”
“For you to pull back when you did took great strength. But we can’t be too careful.”
Fate will figure out a way to make you fight. Aric had told me that. “What about Tee? He needs you.” I donned one of the two dandelion crowns and handed her the other.
A good sport, she placed it on her head. “Though you and I must remain apart physically, I’ll visit you at Haven in my liquid form. Tee’s godmother will be a water woman. Face it, that won’t be the weirdest thing he’ll see.”
I was still unconvinced.
“Look, we started something. And we’ve proved something. But we haven’t finished it.”
I frowned. “We gave people a paradise.”
“And we need to give them more. Order. Hope. Guidance. Because predators are getting stronger while the weak get weaker. I imagine cannibals are like cancer cells—if left unchecked, their numbers will multiply. We need to act.”
Circe was determined to go; nothing I could say would sway her. “When do you leave?” How long did I have before she slipped beneath the surface and hydroported herself to far-flung places?
“Right after I kiss my godson good-bye.”
I choked back my grief and said, “Your port better be a hell of a settlement.”
She cupped my cheek, her eyes glinting. “Second only to Acadiana.”
I woke to a howl outside early the next morning. Rising from the bed, I stole past Tee’s crib. He slept on.
Another howl sounded, and I hurried to the window.
In the predawn light, I spied Lark in her little conductor’s hat, astride a packed horse, surrounded by all her wolves. Cyclops peered up at me with an unknowable look.
Lark and I met gazes. I had figured she would leave soon too. She’d been acting distant all afternoon after the tearful good-bye with Circe.
Like the animals Lark had released from the menagerie, she was off to experience the excitement—and the risk—of a life of freedom.
I almost waved for her to come back. Being out there alone was too dangerous for her! But she looked excited for the first time since Finn had died.
I slowly nodded to her—you have all my blessings, friend—then I blew her a kiss and forced a trembling smile.
She gave me a salute. Then she and Cyclops and her pack took off down the mountain. I watched the drive long after they’d vanished into the morning mist.
And I knew in my bones that I would never see Lark Inukai again.
As my tears flowed, I heard a piercing cry from within the castle. Her falcon! I ran down to the foyer.
Taka bobbed on a perch, dressed in her helmet. Lark had left behind one of her familiars—and a note. I snatched up the paper and read.
Unclean One,
Suck at good-byes, so I’m just gonna jackrabbit out of here and head west. See what I can see and help out wherever I can.
I’ll let you hang on to my gyrfalcon. She could use a rest. If you need me, tell her, and I’ll come running. I considered leaving Cyclops for you, but he should be with the other war wolves. I know you’ll miss him. Almost as much as you’ll miss yours truly!
I wish I could stay with you a little longer, but everything at the castle reminds me of Finn, and he was only here for two weeks.
So what the hell is staying here doing to you?
Lady, it’s time to go. Death wanted you to. Rip the Band-Aid clean.
I’m going to. And I finally feel like I can breathe again. That’s the thing about tourniquets, Eves. They hurt nearly as bad as the wound.
Your friend forever,
Lark!
A breath escaped me. Letter in hand, I hurried up to her room and burst through the door. The space was so empty of life without her and her creatures. Her kangaroo sheets remained. She must’ve packed her flannel pajamas and bunny slippers.
She’d gone for good.
Wiping away tears, I closed Lark’s door for the last time, then descended the stairs.
Jack met me on the landing, bow at the ready. “You okay? I heard howling outside.”
“We lost another one.” I handed him the note.
He read it, then gave a decisive nod. “Good for her. She needed to go.”
Did I? I called up my dreams and memories of Haven, picturing the oaks and the cane that had returned after the battle. With Haven’s soil beneath my feet, could I ever feel excited again?
What an impossible idea.
Sol joined us. “Lark left, no?”
“She did.” I frowned at his tired face. “You don’t look like you’ve slept.”
“I haven’t. I’ve been wandering this place, knowing my time is coming to an end. I don’t ever want to be an awkward third wheel, so unless you guys want to throuple . . .”
“Tempting, Sunny.” Jack put his arm around me. “But I’m in love with this one.”
“I’m teasing you.” Sol sighed. “Truthfully, I don’t have anywhere to go. Not that I can get to anyway.”