The Fall Of Lucas Kendrick

TheFal lofLuc asKe ndr i c k ByKa yHoope r OCRbys ve t i c o( s ve t i c o. na r od. r u) TheFa l lofLuc a sKe ndr i c k. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Pr ol ogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Two. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Thr e e. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Four . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 Fi ve. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Si x. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Se ve n. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 61 Ei ght. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71 Ni ne. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 79 Epi l ogue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 82

Tomys i s t e r ,Li ndaLanc as t e r , whope nne dt hev e r s e

Pr ol ogue Hewa sar ot undl i t t l ema n,a nuna s ha me dpa unc hs t r a i ni ngt hes e a msofhi s t a i l or e dve s t .Shi nywi ngt i ppe ds hoe swe r eonhi ss ma l lf e e t .Heha dagr e a tl e oni nehe a dwi t hac he r ub' sf a c e ,s ma l lbr i ght l yt wi nkl i nge ye s ,a ndpout yl i ps .And hewa ss omuc hac a r i c a t ur eofas t r ut t i ngba nt yr oos t e rpl e a s e dwi t hhi sownI mpor t a nc et ha tf e w pe opl ec a s ua l l ye nc ount e r e dwoul de ve nl ookf ormor et ha n t ha t . Luc a sKe ndr i c kwa soneoft hef e w;hekne wf r om pa s te xpe r i e nc et ha tt he f e de r a la ge ntc a l l i nghi ms e l fHa ge nwa sa bouta sha r ml e s sa saba t t l e s hi pa nd j us ta st ough.Sohes t oodi nt hedi ngyhot e lr oom ga z i ngoutadi r t ywi ndowf or l ongmome nt sbe f or et ur ni ngt oc utof ft hedr oni ngvoi c eoft hef e de r a lhonc ho. " Al lr i ght . "Ha ge nbl i nke d." Al lr i ght ?J us tl i ket ha t ? "Luc a sl e a ne dba c ka ga i ns t t hewi ndowf r a mea nds mi l e ds a r doni c a l l y." The r ewa sr e a l l ynone e df ora l lt hi s c l oa ka ndda gge rs t uf f , "hes a i d." Me e t i ngs e c r e t l yl i ket hi s .Butyouha vet opl a y yourl i t t l ega me s ,don' tyou? " " Mr .Ke ndr i c k,t hi si sas e r i ousma t t e r , "Ha ge nr e t or t e di nhi sbe s tof f i c i a l ma nne r ." AndIf e l ti tonl yf i t t i ngt ha tyouc ompl e t et hej obyourf r i e ndSt e e l ebe ga naf e w we e ksa go.Thes t ol e na r t wor kmus tber e c ove r e da ndRomepr os e c ut e d—" " Sur eheha st he m? " " Pos i t i ve . " Luc a sdi dn' tque s t i ont hea s s ur a nc e ." Oka y.SohowdoIge ti ns i dehi se s t a t e ?Heha smor es e c ur i t yt ha nwedo. " TheweLuc a sus e dr e f e r r e dt oJ os hLong' swor l dwi def i na nc i a le mpi r e , s ome t hi ngt ha tha r dl yne e de dc l a r i f yi ngbe t we e nhi ma ndt hef e de r a lma n.Luc a s wa st hec hi e fI nve s t i ga t orf orLongEnt e r pr i s e s ,a ndHa ge nha ds pe ntt hepa s t ye a ra ndmor ei nvol vi ngJ os ha ndhi sme ni nva r i ous" a s s i gnme nt s "f orhi s a ge nc y.

Thef e de r a lma nl ooke ds ome wha ts e a r c hi ngl ya tLuc a snow,s e e mi ngl ydi s t ur be d." You' r ewi l l i ngt oa c c e ptt hea s s i gnme nt ,noque s t i onsa s ke d? " " Pl e nt yofque s t i ons , "Luc a sc or r e c t e d." Butwhyf i ghti t ?I ' mt heonl yone youha ve n' tgr a bbe df oroneofyoura s s i gnme nt s ;i twa sama t t e roft i me .I fIt ur n youdown,you' l le i t he rt a l kmei nt oi ts ome how,oryou' l lge tmei nvol ve d whe t he rIl i kei tornot .SohowdoIge tont oRome ' se s t a t e ? " Ha ge n' sc upi dl i pspur s e ds l i ght l y,buthe r e s ponde dr e a di l ye nough. " Rome ' sha vi ngawe e ke ndpa r t ys oon;hedoe st ha tf r om t i met ot i me ,a ndhi s gue s tl i s ti sr a t he re xc l us i ve .The r ei sapa s t. . .c onne c t i onbe t we e nyoua ndt he onl ys i ngl ewoma nont ha tgue s tl i s t .I fs hea gr e e s ,you' l lbea c c e pt e dont ot hee s t a t ea she re s c or t . " Luc a s ' se xpr e s s i onne ve rc ha nge d,buts omet a ut ne s sc r e ptbe ne a t hhi sc l a s s i c a lf e a t ur e s ,a ndhi ss ha r pbl uee ye s ,f l e c ke dwi t hgol d,ha r de ne d." Oh?Whoi s s he ? " " Kyl eGr i f f on. "Ha ge nss ma l le ye swe r eve r ywa r y. Sof t l yLuc a ss a i d," Wha tpa s tc onne c t i ona r eyout a l ki nga bout ,Ha ge n? " " Webot hknowt hea ns we rt ot ha t ,Mr .Ke ndr i c k. " " Andj us thowt hehe l ldoy ouknow?He rna mewa sne ve ri na nyofmyr e por t s . " " No,i twa s n' t .Shewa sne ve rl i nke dt oyourunde r c ove rope r a t i on.Youdi d a ne xc e l l e ntj ob. " Luc a sde c i de dnott or e pe a thi sque s t i on.Her e a l l ydi dn' twa ntt oknowt he a ns we r .I ns t e a dhea s ke dt e r s e l y," Wha t ' st hepl a n? " Mor et ha na nhourl a t e rLuc a sa ga i ns t oodga z i ngt hr oughadi r t ywi ndow. Hewa sa l onenow,Ha ge nha vi ngl e f t ,a ndhel ooke dba c kove rhi ss houl de ra tt he s hoddyr oom.Heha da l mos tf or got t e nt ha ts e c r e t i veme nme ti ndi ngyhot e l r oomst odi s c us sa ndpl a nda nge r ousope r a t i ons . Al mos tf or got t e n. Te nye a r sha dn' tc ha nge dhi sme mor i e s ,j us tma det he m mor edi s t a nt .He c oul ds t i l lr e me mbe rt hec a r dboa r dt a s t eofbur ge r sa ndc ol dc of f e e ,t hes t i f f ne s s ofs i t t i ngf ort ool ongi nc a r s ,a ndt hegr i ndi ngf r us t r a t i onofpol i t i c a lga me sha vi ngnopl a c ei nhi svi s i onoft her ol eoft hel a wi nhuma na f f a i r s . Hec oul dr e me mbe runde r c ove rope r a t i onsdur i ngwhi c hhel i t e r a l l yha dbe c omes ome onee l s e ,a ndt hedi s or i e nt a t i onofr e t ur ni ngt ot her e a lwor l dwi t h me mor i e sofj unki e sa ndgl i t t e r i ngl i f e s t yl e sa ndvi ol e nc ei nt heba c kofhi s mi nd.Hec oul dr e me mbe rt r i umphsa ndt r a ge di e s ,al i t t l el a ught e ra ndal otof pa i n,a ndpe opl ebr i e f l yknown. Her e me mbe r e dKyl eGr i f f on. Luc a sha l fc l os e dhi se ye s ,s hut t i ngoutt hes i ghtofadi ngy,r a i nys t r e e t s e e nt hr oughadi r t ywi ndow.Andonl ys a ggi ngf ur ni t ur ema r r e dbyc i ga r e t t e bur nsa ndt ooma nyha r dye a r she a r dhi sl owmur mur . " Oh,he l l ,Kyl e ,howa mIgoi ngt of a c eyou? " One Luc a sKe ndr i c k' she a r tl e a pti nt ohi st hr oa t .Her ol l e dwi t ht ha tol dbutf a mi l i a rf e e l i ng,a nnoye dt ha thes t i l lr e me mbe r e dhowt or i dea ne mot i ona lbr onc . I tha dbe e nal ongt i me .Hec l a mpe dhi st e e t ht oge t he ra ndwa t c he dt hr oughna r r owe de ye s ,t e l l i nghi ms e l fhewoul dha vef e l tt hes a mewa ywhi l ewa t c hi nga ny-

onewi t hade a t hwi s h.I tdi dn' the l p. Heha dn' tr e a l l ye xpe c t e di tt o. Thet r i a ngul a rs a i lwa sa boute i ght e e nf e e ta c r os sa ndc ol or e dbr i ghtr e da nd bl ue ;da ngl i ngonaf l i ms yha r ne s sa nds t e e r i ngt het hi ngwi t haf l i ms yc ont r olba r wa sas ma l lf i gur edr e s s e di ndr a bgr e e n. Obj e c t i ve l ys pe a ki ng,het hought ,i twa sagl or i ouss i ght .Theha nggl i de r ba nke da nddi ppe da ndl i f t e da st hes t r ongmount a i nwi ndske pti ta l of t ,i t sbr i l l i a ntc ol or sc ont r a s t i ngbe a ut i f ul l ywi t ht her i c h,va r i e d,e a r l ywi nt e rs ha de sof gr e e na ndbr owni nt heva l l e ya ndt hedi s t a nts nowc a ppe dpe a ksoft heSi e r r a Ne va daMount a i ns .Luc a swa t c he dt hegl i de r ,f i s t sj a mme di nt opoc ke t sa ndhe a r t poundi ngi nhi st hr oa t ,e xpe c t i ngat r e a c he r ousdowndr a f tt os na t c ht hef l i ms y c r a f ta ndba t t e ri tt ot heva l l e yf l oorf a rbe l ow.Hec oul dn' tt a kehi se ye sof fi t e ve nl onge nought of ul l ya ppr e c i a t ear a r egl i mps eofabi ghor nr a ma si tpe r c he d br i e f l yonar oc kyc r a gne a r bya ndt he nva ni s he d. Hekne wt hei ns t a nts hes pot t e dhi m,a ndhes a wt hegl i de rba nki nat i ght t ur na ndt he nhe s i t a t ef ora ni ns t a ntbe f or ei tbe ga nl os i nga l t i t udei nal ong. s we e pi ngde s c e ntt owa r dhi m.Heba c ke dupa ut oma t i c a l l y,gi vi nghe rr oom,f e e l i nghi ms e l ft e ns ee ve nmor e .Shec l e a r e dt hee dgeoft hec l i f fbyi nc he s ,a ndhe r f e e tl i ght l yt ouc he dgr ound. Sheha dt or unonl yaf e ws t e psbe f or es hec oul ds t opt hegl i de r .The poi nt e dnos eoft het hi ngt i ppe df or wa r dt or e s tont hegr ound,a nds hes hr ugge d outoft heha r ne s s ,onl yt he nt ur ni nghe rhe a dt os t udyt hevi s i t or . Wi t houtanot i c e a bl ee xpr e s s i on,s t a r t l i ngt ur quoi s ee ye ss c a nne dhi mf r om hi swi ndbl own,s i l ve r ybl ondha i rt ohi sboot e df e e t ,t a ki ngi nt heba c kpa c ka nd r ugge dc l ot hi nghewor e .The nc a s ua l l ys hes a i d," He l l o,Luc , "a ndbe ntt oc ol l a ps et heha nggl i de ra ndr ol li tupf orc a r r yi ng. We l l ,wha tha dhee xpe c t e d?Luc a swonde r e d.Hekne wt hea ns we r ,of c our s e .De s pi t ee ve r yt hi ng,be c aus eofe ve r yt hi ng,he ' de xpe c t e das t r onge rr e a c t i onf r om he r .Ra t he rt ha napol i t ehe l l o,he ' dbr a c e dhi ms e l ff ors ome t hi ngmor e a l ongt hel i ne sofve nomorha t r e d.Ange r .Some t hi ng. Andf r oma nyot he rwoma nt ha t ' swha thewoul dha vegot t e n,e ve nt houghi t ha dbe e nt e nye a r s . Att heve r yl e a s t ,hede c i de dwi t hal i t t l ebi t t e r ne s sofhi sown,s hemi ght ha vea s ke dwhyhe ' dc omemi l e si nt ot hewi l de r ne s st of i ndhe r —a si twa spa t e nt l yobvi ousheha d.Andwhyhe ' dc omenow,a f t e rt e nye a r s .Butnothe r . NotKyl eGr i f f on. Shec oul dt r a c ehe ra nc e s t r yba c khundr e dsofye a r s ,a nde ve nnowt heCe l t i cbones t r uc t ur ea ndda r kc ol or i ngma r ke dhe ri nde l i bl ya sWe l s h,noma t t e r wha tot he rc ont r i but i onsha dbe e nma det ohe rf a mi l y' sge ne t i cpool .He rf or e f a t he r sha dbe e na mongt hel a nde dge nt r yba c kwhe ns uc ht hi ngsc ount e d,a ndf i ve s e pa r a t et i t l e sha dgr a c e dhe rf a mi l yna mea tva r i ouspoi nt si ni t shi s t or y.And t houghhe rf a mi l yha dn' ta r r i ve donAme r i c a ns hor e swi t ht heMay f l owe r ,t he y' d pr oba bl ybe e nont hene xtboa t . Be hi ndt he mt he y' dl e f tt he i rt i t l e sa ndl a nd,a ndwi t ht he mt he y' dbr ought ge ne r a t i onsofa r i s t oc r a t i cbr e e di ng,s hr e wdi nt e l l i ge nc e ,c our a ge ,ut t e rc ompos ur e ,a nda l lt hef a mi l yt r e a s ur e st he yc oul dhi r epe opl et oc a r r y.I nt hee ns ui ng ge ne r a t i onsc a nnyGr i f f onsbui l tva r i ouse mpi r e sf r om t hos ebi t sofs i l ve ra nd gol d,gl i t t e r i ngge ms ,a ndpr i c e l e s spa i nt i ngs ,a ndt he yha dn' tl ooke dba c k. Luc a swa t c he dt hes l e nde rf i gur eI nt hedr a bgr e e nj umps ui twor ki nge xpe r t l yt obi ndupt hegl i de ri nt oac ompa c tbundl e .Hewonde r e di fde f yi ngde a t h

wa sKyl e ' swa yofde a l i ngwi t hhe ra ugus tl i ne a ge .I naf a mi l yge ne r a l l yde s c r i be da ss obe ra ndbus i ne s s l i ke ,Kyl ewa sar e be la ndar ogue .Looki nga the r ,i t wa se a s yt os e et ha tf a mi l yt r a i t sha ds ur vi ve dt obl oom i nhe r :Shewa se nor mous l yi nt e l l i ge nt ,c ompos e dnoma t t e rwha tt hec i r c ums t a nc e s .I nna t e l ypr oud wi t houtbe i nga r r oga nt ,a ndc our a ge ous .Cour a ge ous ,Luc a st hought ,s ome t i me s t ot hepoi ntofi ns a ni t y. Unbi dde n,hea l s or e me mbe r e dt hewoma nc hi l ds heha dbe e na l lt hos e ye a r sa go.Re me mbe r e dhe rl a ught e ra nde xc i t e me nt ,t hes pont a ne ousbur s t sofa f f e c t i on.Re me mbe r e das l e nde rbodyl oc ke dt ohi sowna ndbl a z i ngl i keapur e whi t ef l a me ,bur ni nghi m.Se a r i nga wa ya l ldoubta ndunc e r t a i nt y.Atl e a s tf ora whi l e .Atl e a s twhi l es het ouc he dhi m. Luc a ss hooka wa yt heme mor i e swi t ha ne f f or tt ha twa sa l mos tphys i c a l . Butt hehe a toft he ml i nge r e d,t e a s i nghi smi ndwi t haghos t l yt ouc ha ndt hef e y s oundsofqui c ks i l ve rl a ught e r . Hemove df or wa r da ss hef i ni s he dwi t ht hegl i de r ,a ndl i f t e dt hel ongbundl e ont ohi sowns houl de r ,s a yi ngonl y," Le tme . "Andhi svoi c es ounde dnor ma l ,he t hought . Kyl edi dn' tpr ot e s t ,butt he r ewa saf a i ntgl i ntofa mus e me nti nhe rbl ue gr e e ne ye sa ss hes t e ppe dba c k." J us tl e a vei tbyt hepor c h,t he n, "s hedi r e c t e d, ge s t ur i ngt owa r dt hes nugl ogc a bi naf e wya r dsa wa y.Shewa l ke da he a dofhi m, t he npa us e dont hes t e psunt i lhe ' ds e tt hebundl edown.Shehe l dope nt hedoorof t hec a bi n. Luc a ss a wwha the ' de xpe c t e dt os e ei ns i de .I twa smode s tbutc omf or t a bl e ; a l lt hemode r nc onve ni e nc e sbutnol uxur i e s .Theove r s t uf f e df ur ni t ur es t oppe d j us ts hor tofbe i ngs ha bby,a ndc ol or f ulr ugsdot t e dt hes hi ni ngwoodf l oor .One bi gope nr oomwi t hal of ta bovef ors l e e pi ngoc c upi e dmos toft hec a bi n,aki t c he ndi vi de df r omt hema i nr oombypa ne l e dwa l l s ,a ndaba t hr oomt uc ke da wa yi n ba c k. Shec oul dha vebui l tac a s t l e . Hes hr ugge doutofhi sba c kpa c ka ndl e f ti tbyt hedoor ,s t i l luns ur eofhow f a rhi swe l c omes t r e t c he d.Wi t hKyl e ,her e f l e c t e d,i twa sdi f f i c ul tt obes ur eof a nyt hi ng.Andhewonde r e dt he ni fheha di ma gi ne dhe rf e e l i ngst e nye a r sbe f or e . Orha dt ha ts e ve nt e e nye a r ol dgi r lgr e e t e dhi sde pa r t ur ej us ta ss hes e e me dt o vi e wl i f ei nge ne r a l — wi t has hr uga ndar e c kl e s ss mi l e ? No,het hought ,nott ha t .Heha dme a ntmor et ohe rt ha nt ha t ,a tl e a s tbe f or e heha dl e f t . " Cof f e e ' shot .Wa nts ome ? " " Pl e a s e . "Hef ol l owe dhe rt ol e a na ga i ns tt hebr e a kf a s tba ra ndwa t c hhe r e c onomi c a lmove me nt s .Andt ha tha dn' tc ha nge d,het hought ;he rgr a c eha dn' t c ha nge d,e xc e ptt oha vema t ur e ds ome how,be c omemor ef l ui d.Thej umps ui ts he wor es howe dhi mt ha tt hes l e nde rl i ne sofas e ve nt e e nye a r ol dha dbe c omet he f ul l e rc ur ve sofawoma n,a ndhet r i e dt of i ghtt heknowl e dget ha thewa nt e dhe r nowmor et ha ne ve r . I twa si mpos s i bl e ,a ndhekne wi twa s .The r ewa st oomuc hbe t we e nt he m, f a rt oomuc h,t oa l l ow t he mt or e t ur nt obe i ngt hepe opl et he yonc eha dbe e n— e ve ni fbot hoft he mwa nt e dt o. Hewa t c he dhe r ,a c hi ngi ns i de . Shewor enoma ke up,a ndhe rt hi c ks a bl eha i rwa st ous l e d,buts heha ds pe nt t ooma nyye a r sbe i ngc a r e f ul l ygr oome di nva r i ouse xpe ns i ves c hool sf orhe r l a unc hi ngi nt omone ye ds oc i e t yt obea bl et os he dt hepe c ul i a r l y" f i ni s he d"l ook

i ns t i l l e dbyt hepr oc e s s .Noma t t e rwha ts hewor eorwha ts hedi d,Kyl eGr i f f on a l wa yswoul dl ooka r i s t oc r a t i c . Pus hi ngt het hought sa wa y,Luc a sa c c e pt e dt hec ups hehe l douta ndr e a l i z e dwi t haj ol tt ha ts her e me mbe r e dhowhel i ke di t .Suga r ,noc r e a m.Shedr a nk he r sbl a c k.Di s t ur be dbyt her e a l i z a t i ont ha thewa s n' ta l onei nr e me mbe r i ng,he f ol l owe dhe ri nt ot hel i vi nga r e a ,wa t c hi nghe rwhi l es hes a nkgr a c e f ul l yi nt oa n ove r s t uf f e dc ha i r ,ki c ke dof fhe rl i ghts hoe s ,a ndc ur l e dupl i keal a z yc a t . " So.Towha tdoIowet hehonorofyourpr e s e nc eont hi ss unnya f t e r noon? " s hea s ke d. Luc a ss a tdownont hec ouc ha ndl ooke da the r ,t r yi ngt os e epa s tt hos es e r e net ur quoi s ee ye s .Wha twa ss het hi nki ng?Fe e l i ng?Whe nhef i na l l ys poke ,i t wa s n' ti na ns we rt ohe rque s t i on." Whe ndi dyout a keupha nggl i di ng? " " Whe nIgott i r e dofs kydi vi ng. " Hef e l thi st e e t hgr i t t i nga ga i na ndf oughtt or e l a xt a utmus c l e s .Buthi s voi c ewa snone t he l e s ss ha r p." Andbe f or et ha ti twa smount a i nc l i mbi ng.Andbe f or et ha twha t ?Youwe r eas t untpi l ot ,your a c e dc a r si nEur ope ,youwe nton s omebl oodyda nge r ouss a f a r ii nAf r i c aa ndwe r ene a r l yki l l e d—" Onede l i c a t ebr owr os e ,butt he r ewa snoi nf l e c t i onofs ur pr i s ei nhe rc a s ua l voi c e ." You' vebe e nr e a di ngt hes upe r ma r ke tr a gs . " Hei gnor e dt ha t ,mos t l ybe c a us ei twa st r ue ." Wha ti si twi t hyou,Kyl e ?A de a t hwi s h? " " Al i f ewi s h,mor el i ke . "Shes mi l e dal i t t l e . Luc a sf e l ta not he rj ol t .He ra ns we rwa sj us twha theha dr e pl i e dye a r sbe f or ewhe naf r i e nda s ke dwhyher i s ke dhi sl i f ea sa nunde r c ove rc op.Butt ha t wa sal ongt i mea go.Nowhewa st hec hi e fi nve s t i ga t orf oras t r i ngofc ompa ni e s a ndc or por a t i onst ha ts pa nne dt hegl obe .Andt he r ewa sac e r t a i na mountofda nge ri nt ha tf r omt i met ot i me .Buthene ve rr i s ke dhi sl i f er e c kl e s s l y.Kyl edi d. Shewa ss t i l ls mi l i ng." Youknow,Luc ,I ' vebe e nwr onga l lt he s eye a r s .I t houghtwhe nyouwa l ke doutonme ,you' df or ge tmei nawe e k.Buti ts e e msyou di dn' t .You' vebe e nf e e l i nggui l t y,ha ve n' tyou?Why?Di dyout hi nkI ' dde ve l ope ds omeki ndofc ompl e x,t ha tI ' vebe e nt r yi nga l lt he s eye a r st oki l lmys e l fbe c a us eofyou? " Luc a ss t a r t e dt ode nyt ha tbutf oundhec oul dn' t .I tha dc r os s e dhi smi nd mor et ha nonc e ,be c a us es he ' dgot t e ne ve nwi l de ra f t e r. . .Butbyl e a vi nghe rhe ha ds t oppe da tl e a s toneofhe ri ns a ne l yr e c kl e s sga me s .Al lhec oul dma na get o s a y,t hough,wa s ," Youwe r eve r yyoung. " Shel ooke ds qua r e l ya thi m,he rs e r e ne l ybe a ut i f ulf a c eunc ha nge dbyt he pa s s i ngofade c a de ." Oh,Is e e .Youwe r ewor r i e dt ha tyou' ds e duc e da nI nnoc e nt ki d. "Some t hi ngf l i c ke r e dbr i e f l yi nhe re ye sa ndt he nwa sgone ." Wa ntmet o e a s eyourc ons c i e nc e ? " " Da mmi t ,Kyl e ! " He rmout ht wi s t e dwr yl y." Sor r y.Low bl ow.It hi nkIwa se nt i t l e dt ot ha t , t hough,don' tyou? " Af t e rat a utpa us eher e l a xe ds udde nl ya nds mi l e d.I twa sove r .Pas t .So pl a yi the rwa y,het hought .Pl a yi tl i ght .Pr e t e ndi tha dn' tma t t e r e d." You' r ee nt i t l e dt omor et ha nt ha t .Wha tt ookyous ol ong? " " Ah.Soyouc a meuphe r ee xpe c t i ngt obedr a wna ndqua r t e r e d?Notmy s t yl e ,I ' ma f r a i d.I fIr e me mbe r ,Iha davi ol e ntt a nt r um,c r i e df ora l lofa nhour , t he nc a l l e dhomea nda s ke dmyf a t he rt oha veyouki l l e d. "He rvoi c ewa sl i ght , dr yl ymoc ki ng,a si fs heha dn' tc a r e d.

" You' vene ve rha dat a nt r umi nyourl i f e , "hemur mur e d. " No, "s hea gr e e d." Mot he rwoul dn' ta l l owt he m.Soundi gni f i e d. " " I ' ms t i l la l i ve , "heof f e r e d,wonde r i ngI fa ni r a t ef a t he rha da s ke dJ os h Long," I st ha twhyIs houl ds e ndhe rt oEur ope ? " " Hi tme na r ee xpe ns i ve ,e s pe c i a l l yt ogr a t i f ywounde dva ni t y. " Some wha tt ohi ss ur pr i s eLuc a sf oundt ha tol df r us t r a t i onc oul dr e t ur na s e a s i l ya sa l lt heot he rol df e e l i ngs ;be ne a t hhe rf l i pr e s pons ehec oul df i ndnot hi ng.Wha thads hef e l t ?" Kyl e —" " Youdon' twa ntt het r ut h,Luc , "s hes a i da br upt l y. " Ye s ,Ido. "Hewa sf i r m. " Puni s hi ngmeoryour s e l f ? " Hewa ss ur pr i s e d,r a t t l e d.Di ds heknowwha theha ddonef orhe r ?No.No, heha dma dec e r t a i ns hewoul dn' tknow.The r ewa sonl yonet hi ngs hec oul d know,a ndt he r ewa snohi ntoft ha tknowl e dgei nhe rf a c e ." Whywoul dIwa ntt o puni s hyou? . " Shedi dn' ta ns we r ." Look,i twa st e nye a r sa go.Wewe r edi f f e r e ntpe opl e t he n.Now,Iknowyoudi dn' thi keupt hemount a i nj us tt or a keupol dme mor i e s a f t e ra l lt hi st i me .Sowhya r eyouhe r e ? " Gi ve nl i t t l ec hoi c ei nt hema t t e r ,her e l uc t a nt l yl e ti tdr op.Fornow.He pus he dhi sownpa i n,hi sol df e e l i ngsofc onf us i ona ndunc e r t a i nt youtofhi smi nd a ndi nt ot hel oc ke dr oomwhe r et he yha dl i ve di nda r kne s sf ort e nye a r s . " Ine e dyourhe l p,Kyl e . " Shel ooke dmi l dl ys ur pr i s e d." Oh?Wi t hwha t ? " " The r e ' sahous e —a ne s t a t e ,r e a l l y—Ine e da c c e s st oi ts oc i a l l y.Ine e dt obe i ns i dea tl e a s tove r ni ght ,pr e f e r a bl yf orawe e ke nd.I t ' sMa r t i nRome ' se s t a t e . " Af t e ramome nta ndi nac ompl e t e l ye xpr e s s i onl e s svoi c es hes a i d," Te n ye a r sa goIgoti nvol ve dwi t hayoungma nwhowa ss uppos e dl yas t ude nta tmy c ol l e ge .St or ybooks t uf f .Iwa ss we ptr i ghtof fmyf e e t .Andt he nhewa sgone . Re a l l ygone .Ac c or di ngt ot her e c or ds ,hene ve ra t t e nde dt ha tc ol l e ge ,a ndIc oul d ne ve rf i ndouta nyt hi nga ta l la bouthi m.Now,t e nye a r sl a t e r ,hea ppe a r si nmy l i f ea ga i na nda s kst ha tIge thi mi nt ot hehomeofoneoft hewe a l t hi e s tpe opl ei n t hec ount r y. " Luc a ss a i dnot hi ng. Kyl enodde d,a st houghs he ' de xpe c t e ds i l e nc e ." SoIha vet owonde r ,Luc .I ha vet owonde rwhyyouwa nta c c e s st ot ha thome .AndIha vet owonde rwhyi n he l lyout hi nkI ' dhe l pyout oge ti t . " Luc a ss t udi e dhe r ,we i ghi ngt het hought ,wonde r i nghi ms e l f .Re me mbe r i ng as e ve nt e e nye a r ol dc ol l e gef r e s hma nwi t har e c kl e s ss mi l e ;r e me mbe r i nga t we nt ys e ve nye a r ol dwoma nwi t hat e nye a rhi s t or yofwi l dne s sha ngi ngf r oma gl i de r . Hewa s n' tr e c kl e s sve r yof t e n,buthede c i de dt he nt ot a keac ha nc e .Onhe r . Luc a sr e a c he df orhi swa l l e ta nde xt r a c t e dabus i ne s sc a r d,ha ndi ngi tt ohe r . Kyl es t udi e di tf oramome nt ,t he nl ooke da thi m." Chi e fI nve s t i ga t or ,Long Ent e r pr i s e s .As s umi ngIbe l i e vet hi s ,Luc ,J os huaLongc oul dge tyoui nt oRome ' s hous ej us ta se a s i l ya sIc oul d.Sowhywon' the ? " Hehe l dhe rga z es t e a di l ywi t hhi sown." Hewoul d.Buti twoul dn' tdome a nygood.Be c a us eJ os hi sknownt oha ve. . .i nt e r e s t si ns t oppi ngc r i mi na la c t i vi t i e s .Luc ki l y,be i nga ni nve s t i ga t orke e psmeoutoft hel i me l i ght ;we ' vet a ke n c a r et ha tmyna me ' sne ve rbe e nl i nke dpubl i c l ywi t ht hec ompa nyorJ os h.I fheor a nyf r i e ndore mpl oye eofhi swe r et oa ppr oa c hRome ,t he r ewoul dn' tbeas c r a p

ofe vi de nc et obef ound. " " Evi de nc eofwha t ? " " I l l e ga l l ya c qui r e da r t wor k.Ar t wor kboughtf r om c r i mi na l sf ort hepr i c eof as hi pme ntofguns ,a l s oi l l e ga l l ya c qui r e d.Webe l i e veheha st hea r thi dde n— pr oba bl yi nava ul t —s ome whe r ei nhi shous e . " " We ? " Luc a she s i t a t e d. Dr yl ys hes a i d," Ine ve rkne w whoyouwe r e ,Luc ,a ndIc e r t a i nl ydon' t knowyout e nye a r sl a t e r .Soi fyouwa ntmyhe l p,you' l lha vet ot e l lmet hewhol e s t or y,oryoumi ghta swe l lhi keba c kdownt hemount a i n. " Af t e ramome nthenodde d." Al lr i ght .I ' m wor ki ngt e mpor a r i l yf oragove r nme nta ge nc y. " " Whi c hone ?FBI ? "The r ewa sne i t he rbe l i e fnordi s be l i e fi nhe rvoi c e ,onl y mi l di nt e r e s t . Luc a ss hookhi she a ds l i ght l y." No.Thi sa ge nc yi s n' tl i s t e di nt heYe l l owor t heWhi t ePa ge s .Fora l lIknow,i tdoe s n' te ve nha veana me ,of f i c i a lorot he r wi s e .I t ' she a de dbyama nwhoc a l l shi ms e l fHa ge n;t ha t ' spr oba bl ynothi sr e a l na me .Hes pi nswe bsl i kes omeda mne dpoi s onouss pi de r —we l l ,ne ve rmi nd.The poi nti s ,I ' mwor ki ngf orhi mt e mpor a r i l y.Iha vet of i ndt ha ts t ol e na r t ,ora tl e a s t ge te noughe vi de nc et oi ndi c tRome .AndIha vet ogoi nt ohi shous es oc i a l l y;hi s e s t a t ee mpl oye e sa r et hor oughl ys c r e e ne d. " " Woul dn' tyourba c kgr ounds t a ndupt ot ha t ? "s hea s ke di na ni dl et one . Hi sbl uega z eha r de ne d,buthewe ntona si fs heha dn' ts poke n.Af t e ra l l ,he c oul dha r dl ybl a mehe r ." Nor ma l l yHa ge nwoul dha veapr i s t i neba c kgr ounda nd i mpe c c a bl er e f e r e nc e sma nuf a c t ur e df orac a s el i ket hi s ,butt he r eha s n' tbe e n t i mef ori t . " " Whoc a meupwi t hmyna me ? " " Ha ge n.Hema na ge ds ome how t oge thol dofague s tl i s tf orawe e ke nd ba s hRome ' st hr owi ngi nt wowe e ks .Yourna mewa soni t . " " Di dheknowyoua ndIha d. . .ha dme tbe f or e ? " Luc a she s i t a t e d,t he nnodde d." Hekne w.Idon' tpr e t e ndt oknowhow;Ha ge ndoe s n' tgi veuphi ss e c r e t sorhi sme t hods .I na nyc a s e ,hepi c ke dyoube c a us e ofourpa s ta s s oc i a t i ona ndbe c a us eyoua r et heonl ys i ngl ewoma nont hel i s t .He f i gur e syouc oul dbr i ngada t ewi t houtr a i s i nge ye br ows . " " I twoul dr a i s eMa r t i n' se ye br ows , "s hes a i d. Fora ni ns t a nt ,ahe a r t be a t ,Luc a sf e l tadi z z yi ngs e ns eofdé j àv u.Hewa s c ol di ns i de .I tc oul dn' tbeha ppe ni nga ga i n;s hec oul dn' tbei nvol ve di nt hi s .. . .He di dn' twa ntt oha vet oma ket ha tki ndofc hoi c e .Nota ga i n.The nt heha r dwon s e l f c ont r olofye a r ski c ke di n,a ndhewa sc a l m." Youdon' tha vea nof f i c i a lc onne c t i onwi t hRome , "hes a i dc ool l y." Noe nga ge me nt ,noa t t e nt i onbyt hepr e s s . Ana f f a i rt hes oc i e t ypr e s swa t c hdogsha ve n' ts ni f f e dout ? " Kyl el ooke da thi mf oramome nt ,e xpr e s s i onl e s s ,t he ns a i d," Not hi ngs o de f i ni t e .Le t ' sj us ts a yt ha tMa r t i ndoe s n' tgi veupe a s i l y,a ndha st wos t r ongbe l i e f s .Fi r s t ,I nt hepowe rofhi sownc ha r ms ,a nds e c ondi nt her e l i a bi l i t yofe r os i onf r omwa t e rdr oppi ngons t one . " Luc a sf e l tr e l i e ve da ndhope di tdi dn' ts how." Is e e .Sohe ' dbes ur pr i s e di f yous howe dupwi t ha not he rma n.Butnott e r r i bl ys ur pr i s e d? " " Ade f e ns i vemoveonmypa r t ,youme a n?I t ' snotmys t yl e ,buthedoe s n' t knowt ha t .He ' dbuyi ti fIt ur ne dupf orhi spa r t ywi t habuf f e r ,Is uppos e . " The ywe r es i l e ntf orl ongmome nt s ,bot hs i ppi ngc of f e e ,ne i t he rwi l l i ngt o

a s kora ns we rt hef l a tque s t i ont ha tha dbr oughthi m uphe r et ohe rmount a i nr e t r e a t . Fi na l l yKyl es poke ." I t ' sani c el i t t l es t or y.Luc .I st ha tyourr e a lna me ,by t hewa y? " " Ye s . "Heke pthi svoi c ee ve n." Luc a sKe ndr i c k. " Shel i f t e da ne ye br owbr i e f l y." I twa sLuc a sKe nda l lbe f or e ,wa s n' ti t ?We l l , ne ve rmi nd.Ani c es t or y.Lot sofI nt r i gue .Mys t e r i ousgove r nme nta ge nc i e sa nd a ge nt s ,s t ol e na r t ,we a l t hyc r i mi na l s . " Heha de a r ne dt ha tdi s be l i e f ,hes uppos e d." Look,doyout r us tJ os hLong' s wor d? " " Myf a t he rdoe s .I ' vene ve rme tt hema n. " " J os hwi l lvouc hf orme .AndHa ge na ndt hea ge nc y.Idi dn' twa ntt oi nvol vehi mi nt hi s ,butIdon' ts e e mt oha veac hoi c e .Ge ti nt ouc hwi t hhi m,Kyl e , be f or eyouma keade c i s i on. " " Iwi l l . "He rvoi c ewa sf l a twi t hc e r t a i nt y;obvi ous l ys hewa s n' ta boutt o t r us thi mbl i ndl y.Nott hi st i me . Kyl es t oodbyt hewi ndow a nds t a r e douta smoonl i ghtpa i nt e dt hes t a r k s ha pe sofmount a i ns c e ne r y.I twa sda r ki nt hel of t ,a nds heha dmove dwi t hc a t f oot e ds of t ne s st ot hewi ndows e a twhe r es heof t e ns a t .Luc a swa ss l e e pi ngonhe r c ouc ha ndt hec a bi nwa ss i l e nt . Shes a tdownont hec us hi one ds e a ta nddr e whe rl e gsup,huggi nghe rkne e s a ss hel ooke doutbl i ndl y. J os hLongha dvouc he df orLuc a sI ns t a nt l ywhe ns he ' dc a l l e d,t e l l i nghe r wi t hut t e rc onvi c t i ont ha ts hec oul dt r us tLuca ndt ha thewa sI nde e dwor ki ngf or ama nna me dHa ge nwhor a nas e c r e t i ve —a nds e c r e t —gove r nme nta ge nc y.He di dha vet oge ti nt oMa r t i nRome ' shous e ,be c a us et hema nwa ss us pe c t e dofpos s e s s i ngs t ol e na r t wor kpur c ha s e df r omc r i mi na l sa ndpa i df orwi t hi l l e ga lguns . Kyl edi dn' tdoubtLong' swor d,a ndhi sf a i t hi nLuc a sha dbe e ne xpr e s s e d t oof i r ml yt obei ndoubt ,whi c hl e f the rwi t hagr e a tma nydi s t ur bi ngque s t i ons . J os hLongwa snof ool ,a nds hekne wf r omhe rf a t he rt ha ther a r e l ye r r e di n hi sj udgme ntofme n.Luc a sha dwor ke df orhi mf or" anumbe rofye a r s , "a nd t he r ewa sc l e a rr e s pe c tonbot hs i de soft ha tr e l a t i ons hi p.I twa savot eofc onf i de nc et ha twoul di ns t a nt l yope ndoor si na l mos ta l ls oc i a lorbus i ne s sc i r c l e s . Buti tdi dn' t —i tc oul dn' t —ope nKyl e ' sdoor . Sheha dc l os e ddown,puthe rf e e l i ngsi nade e pf r e e z e ,a l mos tt hemome nt s heha dl ooke ddownf r omhe rs oa r i nggl i de ra nds e e nt hes unl i ghtgl i nt i ngof fhi s s i l ve r yha i r .Eve na tt ha tdi s t a nc e ,hi sf e a t ur e si ndi s t i ngui s ha bl e ,s heha dknown i twa she .Andi nt ha tf i r s tf l a s hi ngi ns t a nts hea l s oha dknownt ha ts heha dbe e n wa i t i ngf orhi mt oc omeba c k. I ts hoc ke dhe r . Fort hef i r s tt i mei nhe rl i f eKyl eha dc a us et obet ha nkf ulf orac ol d,di s t a nt mot he rwhoha dt a ughthe r ,I fnot hi nge l s e ,t oke e phe re mot i onsbur i e dbe ne a t ha s e r e nes ur f a c e .He rmot he rwoul dha vebe e npr oudofhe r ,s het houghtnowwi t ha pa ngofbi t t e r ne s s .Whe nhe rf e e tha dt ouc he ds ol i de a r t ha nds he ' dt ur ne dt oLuc a s ,s heha dobe ye dne i t he roft hec onf l i c t i nge mot i ona lr e a c t i onsba t t l i ngi ns i de he r . Sheha dn' tl a s he douta thi mi nbi t t e r ne s s ,a nds heha dn' tt hr ownhe r s e l fi nt o hi sa r ms .

Kyl ec l os e dhe re ye sa ndl e a ne dhe rhe a da ga i ns tc oolgl a s s ,a l l owi nghe r s e l ft or e me mbe r ,t r yi ngt ounde r s t a ndwha ts hef e l tnow a ndwha ts heha df e l t t he n. Te nye a r sa goheha dn' ts e e me dmuc hol de rt ha ns he ,a l t houghhewa ss uppos e dt oha vebe e nas e ni or .Shej udge dhi mt obei nhi smi dt ol a t et hi r t i e snow, s os her e a l i z e dheha dbe e nol de rt he nt ha nhe ' dpr e t e nde dt obe .Ol de ra nd c ha r mi nga ndhe a r t br e a ki ngl yha nds omewi t hc l a s s i c a lf e a t ur e sa ndbl uee ye st ha t we r emor es t r i ki ngt ha na nys he ' de ve rs e e n.. . . Sheope ne dhe re ye sa f t e ramome nta ndc a ughtt hes i l ve rc ha i na the rt hr oa t wi t honef i nge r ,dr a wi ngt hepl a i nova ll oc ke tf r om i t sr e s t i ngpl a c ebe t we e nhe r br e a s t s .Af l i c kofhe rt humbna i lope ne dt hel oc ke t ,a ndi ns i dewa sr e ve a l e donl y as i ngl epol i s he ds t one .I twa sa nopa ls he ' df oundi nAus t r a l i af i veye a r sa go.An opa lt ha twa sbl uewi t ht i nyf l e c ksofye l l ow. Li kehi se ye s . Themoonl i ghts t r e a mi ngt hr ought hewi ndow pi c ke doutonl yt heye l l ow f l e c ksi nt hes t one ,c a us i ngt he mt ogl e a m br i l l i a nt l ybutwi t hnoc ol or ,a ndKyl e a bs e nt l yr ubbe dt hes t onewi t hhe rt humbbe f or ec l os i ngt hel oc ke ta nda l l owi ng i tt os l i pba c kI ns i dehe rs i l kpa j a mat op. Da r kne s sa ndmoonl i ghtobs c ur e dc ol or s ,s het hought .Ti mewa ss uppos e d t oobs c ur eme mor i e s . Te nye a r sha dc ha nge dhi m.Hewa sbr oa de ra c r os st hes houl de r s ,phys i c a l l y mor epowe r f ul .Hi sf a c ewa sl e a ne r ,s ome t hi ngunde rt hes ur f a c eoft hos ec l a s s i c a lf e a t ur e sha r de rnow,t oughe r .Hi svoi c ewa ss t i l ll ow a ndc ur i ous l yc ompe l l i ng,butt he r ewa s ,s het hought ,as ha deofr e mot e ne s sI ni tt ha tha dn' tbe e n pr e s e ntade c a debe f or e . Orma ybet ha twa sj us twhe nhet a l ke dt ohe r . Wha tha dhebe e nt he n?s hewonde r e dnow,a ss heha dwonde r e ds i nc e .And whyha dhepr e t e nde d?Whyha dhema s que r a de da sac ol l e ges t ude nt ?Andwhy, a f t e rani ghtofs e a r i ngpa s s i onwhe ns heha dgi ve nhe r s e l ft ohi m wi t houtr e s e r va t i on,ha dheva ni s he dwhi l es hes l e pt ? Wi t houte ve nl e a vi nganot e. . . Af t e rt hef i r s ta gonyha dt ur ne dt onumbne s s ,Kyl eha dr e a c he df ora nyr e a s ona ta l lt oe xc us ehi sbe ha vi or .Hewoul dha veha dar e a s on,s heha dde c i de d,a goodr e a s on.Andt ha tha dhe l pe dt hehur t . Shewonde r e dnow,wi t ht hes a mes hoc ka swhe ns he ' ds e e nhi mt hi sa f t e r noon,i fs heha da l wa ysr e a l l ybe l i e ve di nt heba c kofhe rmi nda ndt hede e pe s t pa r tofhe rhe a r tt ha thewoul dc omeba c kt ohe rs ome da y. I twa sas t r a nges hoc k,af r i ght e ni ngs hoc k,a ndKyl es hooka wa yt hef e e l i ngf oras e c ondt i me .Ri di c ul ous ,ofc our s e . Sheha dbe e ndi f f e r e ntt he n.Es c a pi ngt oal a r gec ol l e gef r om t hec l oyi ng pr ot e c t i onofhe rwe a l t hyf a mi l y,s heha dbe e nwi l dwi t ht her e c kl e s sne e dt odi s t a nc ehe r s e l ff r om t hee s s e nt i a l l yc ol d,di gni f i e d,a ndune mot i ona la s pe c t sofhe r upbr i ngi ng.Al lhe re mot i onsha dbe e nda mme dbyawa l loff or c e dr e s e r ve ,a nd whe nt ha twa l lha dbur s t ,s heha dne a r l ydr owne di nt hef l oodwa t e r sofr e l e a s e . Di dawoma ne ve rr e a l l yf or ge the rf i r s tl ove r ?Kyl ekne w onl yt ha ts he woul dne ve rf or ge the r s —be c a us ehewa sLuc a s ,a ndbe c a us eheha dbe e napa r t oft ha tgl or i ouspe r i odoff r e e dom.Sheha dl ove dhi mt hewa yonl yawoma nc hi l dc oul dl oveama n,wi t har e c kl e s sa ba ndont ha ts c or ne dpos s i bl ehur t . Al lhe rc a ge dr oma nt i c i s m ha dbur s tf or t hi nt ha tl onga gof l ooddur i nghe r f i r s tye a rofc ol l e ge .Sheha dl oa de dhe rs c he dul ewi t hpoe t r ya ndl i t e r a t ur ea nd

hi s t or y,a ndha dme mor i z e de ve r ygr e a tl ovepoe mhi s t or yboa s t e d.Ma dl yi de a l i s t i c ,s heha da dopt e donec a us ea f t e ra not he r ,t hr owi nghe r s e l fi nt oe a c hwi t h boundl e s se nt hus i a s m. Ands heha df a l l e ni nl ove . Now,f r omadi s t a nc eoft e nye a r s ,Kyl er e a l i z e dt ha tl ovi ngLuc a sha dbe e n apa r toft ha tf r e e dom butnotc a us e dbyi t .Sheha dbe e nr i pef orl ove ,butwha t s heha df e l tf orhi m ha dnotbe e nbor nofmi ndl e s sr e be l l i on.I tha dne ve roc c ur r e dt ohe rt he nors i nc et ha themi ghtnotha vewont hea ppr ova lofhe rf a mi l y. Sheha dgi ve nhi ma l lt hepe nt upa f f e c t i ona ndpa s s i onsofhe rl i f e ,a ndheha d r e s ponde d.Heha dl ove dhe ri nr e t ur n.Sheha dbe l i e ve dt ha t . The n. Sheha dn' te xpe r i e nc e dt ha tki ndoff r e e doma ga i n.Thes kydi vi ng,mount a i n c l i mbi ng,ha nggl i di ng—noneofi tha dbe e na nymor et ha nas e r i e sofge s t ur e s . Out wa r dl yr e c kl e s sbutwi t hnobur ni ngf i r eofr e s e nt me nta ndgl or i ousr e l e a s e bl a z i ngbe hi ndi t ,s heha dbe e ns e a r c hi ngf ors ome t hi ngs hec oul df e e lde e pl y a bout . Fort hebe t t e rpa r toft e nye a r s ,s her e a l i z e dwi t hadi s t a ntj ol t ,s heha dbe e n goi ngt hr ought hemot i onsofr e be l l i ona ndf e e l i ng. . .not hi ng.Exc e pte mpt y s e a r c hi ng. Shec oul dr e me mbe rvi vi dl yt hemont hsofc ol l e gea ndt hewe e kswi t hLuc a s .Re me mbe rf e e l i ngss ova s t ,s opowe r f ul ,t ha tt he yha dove r whe l me dhe r . Anda tt hee ndt hea c hi ngbe wi l de r me ntofde s e r t i ont ha tha d,a st heda ys t ur ne di nt owe e ks ,f r oz e nhe ri ns i de .Wi t hnoe xpl a na t i onof f e r e dt ohe r ,s heha d ma deupva r i ouse xc us e sf orhi m,a ndt ha tha dke ptagi r l ' sl oves a f e l ys t or e di nt a c ts ome whe r ei ns i dehe r .Buthewa sgone ;heha dva ni s he df r om he rl i f ewi t houtl e a vi ngat r a c e .Sos heha dobe ye dhe rf a t he r ' sr e que s taf e wwe e ksl a t e ra nd l e f tc ol l e gea f t e raye a r ,goi ngt oEur opea ndt hef i ni s hi ngs c hoolhe rf a mi l y t houghtpr ope r .Ye a r si nl i mbo.Andt he nas e c ondr e be l l i on,t hi soneout wa r d, whi l es he ' dr e ma i ne df r oz e nI ns i de . Kyl es t a r e douta tt hepe a c e f ulmount a i ns .Why ?Why?I fonl ys he ' dknown wha tha dbe e nbe hi ndLuc a s ' sa c t i onst he n,pe r ha ps ,s hec oul dputi ta l li nt he pa s twhe r ei tbe l onge d.Buts heha dne ve rknown,a nde ve nt he nt hes c opeofhi s de c e pt i onha dbe wi l de r e dhe r .Hepr e t e nde dhea t t e nde dt heuni ve r s i t y;heha da r oom onc a mpus ;hepa r t i c i pa t e di na c t i vi t i e s .Why?Wha tha dbe e nbe hi nda l l t ha t ? Sheha dwa nt e dde s pe r a t e l yt oa s khi m out r i ght .Shene e de dt oknowwha t ha dbe e nmor ei mpor t a ntt ohi mt ha nt he i rf e e l i ngsf ore a c hot he r .Buti tha dbe e n t e nye a r s ,a nds ome hows hec oul dn' tbr i nghe r s e l ft oa s k. Andnow,knowi ngt ha thewa swor ki ngf oras e c r e tgove r nme nta ge nc y,t he que s t i onsbe c a mee ve nmor edi s t ur bi ng.Ha dhebe e ndoi ngs ome t hi ngs i mi l a r t he n?Bot hLuc a sa ndJ os hLongha dma dei tc l e a rt ha tLuc a swa swor ki ngf or Ha ge nonl yt e mpor a r i l y;t hi swa s n' t ,a ppa r e nt l y,t heus ua ls or tofj obheunde r t ookf orLongEnt e r pr i s e s . Sheha di ns t i nc t i ve l yt r us t e dLuc a st e nye a r sa go,a ndt her e s ul t soft ha tbe t r a ya loft r us tha dbe e nde va s t a t i ng.Now hewa sba c ki nhe rl i f e ,howe ve r br i e f l y,a s ki ngf orhe rt r us ta ga i n.Kyl ef e l tmor ea l i vea nda wa r et ha ns heha di n t ooma nyye a r s .Buts hewa st e r r i bl ya f r a i doft r us t i nghi m.Af r a i dofa l l owi ng hi m ba c ki nt ohe rl i f e .Andt ha tha dnot hi ngt odowi t hMa r t i nRomea ndhi sa l l e ge dc r i mi na la c t i vi t i e s . Shewa sa f r a i dLucwoul dt ur nhe rl i f eups i dedowna ga i na ndt he nl e a ve

he r ,wi t hnowa r ni ng,t opi c kupt hepi e c e sa l one .Aga i n. Af t e rs heha dt a l ke dt oJ os hLong,Luc a sha da s ke df orhe rde c i s i on,a nd s heha ds t a l l e d—t he r ewa snoot he rwor df ori t .Thepa r t ywa st wowe e ksa wa y, s he ' ds a i d,a nds hewa nt e dt ot hi nka bouti tf orada yors o.I tha dnotbe e ns pe l l e d outt ha thewoul dr e ma i nhe r ei nhe rhomeunt i lt he n,butbot hoft he m kne whe woul d. Fe e l i ngc hi l l e d,Kyl ec r e ptba c kt ohe rbe d.Shekne wwhys heha ds t a l l e d. Be c a us es hene e de dt i met owor kupt hec our a get of a c ehi m wi t hwha tha dha ppe ne dt e nye a r sa go.I twa s n' tpos s i bl et opr e t e ndt ohe r s e l fi tdi dn' tma t t e r .She ha dt ounde r s t a ndt hes e r i e sofe ve nt st ha tha dha unt e dhe rs i nc et he n. Heha ds a i dhel ove dhe r ,a ndi nt hemor ni ngheha dbe e ngone .Sheha dt o knowwhy. Thef a i nts oundoft hes howe rwokehe r ,a ndKyl el i s t e ne dunt i ls hehe a r d Luc a smovi nga boutdowns t a i r si nt heki t c he n.The ns her os ea nddr e s s e d,f e e l i ng e dgya ndt e ns e .The r ewa snoc ons c i ousde c i s i ont oc onf r onthi mnow,t hi smor ni ng,butwhe ns hewe ntdowns t a i r sa ndi nt ot heki t c he n,f i ndi nghi ml e a ni ng a ga i ns tt hec ount e rdr i nki ngc of f e e ,t hewor dse me r ge dunbi dde n. " Whydi dyoul e a veme ? " Andi ts e e me dt ha the ,t oo,wa sr e a dyt ot a l k,be c a us ehea ns we r e di mme di a t e l y. " Youknowwhy. " " No.Idon' t .I ' vene ve rknown. " Luc a sga vehe ral ookofdi s be l i e f ,s ome t hi ngha r di nhi se ye s ,hi sj a w t e ns e ." Al lr i ght ,ma ybeyoudi dn' tknow why.Notc ompl e t e l y.Butyouha dt o ha veada mne dgoodi de awhe nyouf oundt hes ui t c a s emi s s i ng.Youha dt oknow myl e a vi ngwa sc onne c t e dt ot ha t . " Kyl es hookhe rhe a ds l owl y,c onf us e d." Sui t c a s e ?Wha ts ui t c a s e ? " " Oh,he l l ,Kyl e —t hehe r oi n! " Two Thes uppr e s s e dvi ol e nc eofhi sr oughout bur s twe ntt hr oughKyl e ' sbody l i kea ni c ykni f e ,l e a vi nghe rnumb.Andhi swor dsma denos e ns ea ta l l . " He r oi n?Luc ,wha ta r eyout a l ki nga bout ? " Hi se ye swe r eha r d,gl i t t e r i ng,hi sf a c es owi pe doff e e l i ng,i twa sl i kea ma s k.Andwhe nhea ns we r e d,hi svoi c ewa snol onge rvi ol e ntbuts ome t hi ngf a r wor s e ,be c a us ei twa sa se mpt ya shi sf a c e ." I ' mt a l ki nga boutt hes ui t c a s es t uf f e d f ul lofwhi t epowde rIf oundi nyourc l os e t ,Kyl e . " He rmi ndwa sa ne s t he t i z e d;s hec oul dt hi nkofnot hi ngbutt r i vi a l i t i e s . " Wha twe r eyoudoi ngi nmyc l os e t ? " " Looki ng.Se a r c hi ng. "Hi st onebe c a mec l i ppe d." Tr yi ngt of i nde vi de nc et o c l e a ryou. "Hel i f t e dhi sc of f e ec upi naj e r ky,moc ki ngt oa s t ." Tha t ' snotwha tI f ound. " Thege s t ur ef oc us e dhe rs c a t t e r e dt hought s ,a nds hemove da ut oma t i c a l l yt o f i ndac up.Cof f e e ,ofc our s e .Thi swoul da l lma kes e ns ewhe ns he ' dha ds ome c of f e e .Shea l wa ysne e de dc of f e et owa keup.Shepour e ds omea nds i ppe d,ba r e l y f e e l i ngt hepa i nwhe ns hebur ne dhe rt ongue .The ns hel ooke da tLuc a sa ndf ound t ha tc of f e edi dn' the l pa ta l l . Shehe a r das t r a nge r ' svoi c ee me r ges ha ki l y." Cl e a rmeofwha t ? "

" Se l l i nghe r oi nt oot he rs t ude nt s .Pus hi ng. " " Idi dn' t . "He rde ni a ls ounde ds t r a nge l ywe a ka ndune mpha t i ct ohe rown e a r s ,j us tt hewa ya nI nnoc e nt ' sde ni a la l wa yss ounde dwhe nt hea c c us a t i onwa s onet oowi l da ndhor r i bl ee ve nt oc ont e mpl a t e . " Is a wyou,Kyl e . "Hi svoi c ewa sr oughe ni ng,t hewor dsc omi ngmor er a pi dl y." Iha dphot ogr a phs .Adoz e nt i me sIwa t c he dwhi l eyoume tas uppl i e ra nd e xc ha nge dmone yf ordr ugs .Ine ve rs a wyoupus hi ng,j us tbuyi ng,butyoudi dn' t us et hes t uf fyour s e l fa ndyouwe r ebuyi ngi twe e kl yyouha dt obepus hi ng.Obvi ous l yf orki c ks ,s i nc eyoudi dn' tne e dt hemone y.AndIs a wyouge tt hes ui t c a s e .I s a wyou.Awe e kbe f or e .Andt ha tni ght ,Iha dt oknow.SoIl ooke df ori twhi l e youwe r es l e e pi ng.AndIf oundi t . " Kyl e ' sha ndc a meoutbl i ndl ya ndf e l tt hes ol i dc omf or tofa noa kki t c he n c ha i r .Shes a tdowna ut oma t i c a l l ya tt het a bl ea nds e the rc of f e ec upbe f or ehe r t r e mbl i ngf i nge r sdr oppe di t ." No, "s hes a i dnumbl y,s hoc ke d." Ine ve rbought — ors ol d— dr ugs .Ne ve r . " " Is a wyou. " Be l a t e dl yhe rmi ndbe ga nt owor k." Youwe r eac op,we r e n' tyou? " Heme the runf oc us e dga z e ,hi sowne ye sbe gi nni ngt or e f l e c tas oul de e p unc e r t a i nt yt ha tha dha unt e dhi mf orade c a de .He rs hoc ka nds ur pr i s ewe r ege nui ne ;hec oul df e e lt ha t .The n,wha theha ddone. . .Hepus he dt het houghta wa y." I wa sac op.Unde r c ove rt of i ndac a mpusl i nkt oama j ordopede a l e r .Thede a l e r wa sf oundde a daf e wda ysbe f or e —be f or eIl e f t . " " Andyout houghtIwa st hel i nk, "s hemur mur e d. " Is awyou. "Thet hr e es t a r kwor dshe l dt hes oundofs ome t hi ngr e pe a t e ds o of t e na ndwi t hs uc hgr i ndi ngf or c et ha tt he yha dbe e nc hi s e l e di ns t one . Kyl er e me mbe r e dt hes ui t c a s enow,r e me mbe r e dge t t i ngi t ;t hei nc i de ntha d be e ns ot r i vi a l ,s heha dn' tt houghtofi ts i nc e ,ore ve re ve nmi s s e dt hec a s e .And s het houghts heunde r s t ood.Dr a wi ngade e pbr e a t h,s hes a i ds l owl y," You t houghtIwa st hel i nk;youwe r es ur eofi t .ButIwa s n' ta r r e s t e dore ve nque s t i one d.Eve r .Whynot ? " Hewa ss i l e nt ,hi sga z edr oppi ngt ot hec upi nhi sha nd." Whynot ,Luc ? " " Youwe r es e ve nt e e n, "hes a i d,s t i l ls t a r i nga thi sc up." Wi l d,al i t t l e s poi l e d.Thought l e s s .I twa sj us taga met oyou,l i kea l lt heot he rga me s .You di dn' tr e a l i z ewha tyouwe r edoi ng.Youdi dn' ts t opt or e a l i z ei twoul dha ve r ui ne dt her e s tofyourl i f e . " Shewa ss t a r i nga thi m.I nas l ow,wonde r i ngt ones hea s ke d," Wha tdi dyou do? " Hi smout ht wi s t e di na nunc ons c i ous ,pa i nf ulmove me nt .Hedi dn' twa ntt o t e l lhe r ,butheha dt o.I ts e e me dt ha tt hi swa st heda yt oope nupt hepa s t . " Luc ? " " Iwa st heonl yonewhoha dpr oof ,a ndIha dn' tr e por t e dt oa nyone .Ide s t r oye dt hephot osa ndt hehe r oi n.The r ewa sas ma l l t i mepus he ronc a mpus ,a not he rs t ude nt ;he ' ds ol dal i t t l ehe r ea ndt he r et os uppor thi sownha bi t .Aboutt he t i meyou' dgot t e nt hes ui t c a s e ,hewa sf oundof fc a mpus ,de a dofa nove r dos e .I r e por t e dt omys upe r i or st ha ta sf a ra sIc oul dde t e r mi ne ,hewa st heonl yone de a l i ngonc a mpus .Iwa s n' tt e r r i bl ypopul a rwi t hmys upe r i or s ,a ndwhe nIr e f us e dt oa ns we rque s t i onsa bouta nyofmyf i ndi ngs ,t he yde c i de dIwa shi di ng s ome t hi ng.Iwoul dha ver e s i gne d,a nywa y.The ydi dn' tgi vemet hec ha nc e . " Kyl ef e l taj ol tt ha tt ookhe rbr e a t ha wa y." You. . .youwe r epr ot e c t i ngme ? Youga veupyourc a r e e rt o—"

" Iwa ss i c koft hej ob, "hes a i d,i nt e r r upt i ngf l a t l y." I ' da l r e a dyde c i de dt o qui ta nda c c e ptt hepos i t i onJ os hha dof f e r e d.Iga veupnot hi ng,Kyl e . " Shef e l ta not he rj ol t ,t hi sonef a rde e pe ra ndmuc hmor epa i nf ul .She woul dn' tha veunde r s t oodt e nye a r sbe f or e ,s hekne w,be c a us ea ts e ve nt e e nt he r e wa snope r c e pt i onofs uc ht hi ngs .Luc a sha di nde e dgi ve nups ome t hi ngt opr ot e c t he r ,s het hought ,s ome t hi ngf a rmor ei mpor t a ntt ha nac a r e e r . Heha dgi ve nuphi shonor . Andi twa sonl yt hi sr e a l i z a t i ont ha tke pthe rf r om l a s hi ngouta thi m now f ort het e r r i bl ehur ti nf l i c t e dont he mbot h.Foraf l e e t i ngi ns t a nts hewa st e mpt e d t ol e thi m goonbe l i e vi ngt ha thi ss a c r i f i c eha dga i ne ds ome t hi ngf ors ome one , t ha theha di nde e dpr ot e c t e dhe rf r omt her e s ul t sofi ns a nef ol l y,be c a us es hewa s a f r a i dofwha ti twoul ddot ohi mt of i ndoutt het r ut h.Butheha dt oknow. Noma t t e rwha ti tdi dt ot he m,t oe a c hoft he ma l onea ndt obot hoft he m,he ha dt oknow. " Di dyouknowIha dabr ot he r ? "s hea s ke ds udde nl y." Hel i ve dof fc a mpus unt i lourf a t he rc a l l e dhi mba c khome .Tha twa sj us tbe f or eyoul e f t . " Luc a sf r owne dal i t t l e ,t hr ownof fs t r i debyt hes e e mi ngnons e qui t ur ." I kne w.Hewa ski l l e daf e w mont hsa f t e ryouwe ntt oEur ope ,wa s n' the ?A c a r c r a s h? " " Ama z i ngwha tmone yc a ndo. "He rvoi c ewa squi e ta ndf l a t ." Ac a rdi dn' t ki l lmybr ot he r . " " The nwha tdi d? " " He r oi n.Hedi e dofa nove r dos e . " Luc a sbe ga nt of e e lc ur i ous l yc hi l l e di ns i de .Ac op' st r a i ni ngt ookove r ,s i f t i ngt hr oughne wf a c t sa ndol done s .Abr ot he rwhous e dhe r oi na nddi e df r omi t — a ndwhoha dl i ve di na na pa r t me ntne a rt heuni ve r s i t yc a mpuswhe r ehi syounge r s i s t e ra t t e nde dc l a s s e s .A s i s t e rwhowa swi l da ndal i t t l es poi l e dbutdi dn' tus e dr ugs. . . Kyl eke pthe re ye sf i xe donhi sf a c e ,a ndhe rvoi c ewa ss of t ." Ia dor e dhi m. Yous a i dIwa sal i t t l es poi l e d;Dor i a nwa sal ots poi l e d.Ourf a t he ri ns t i l l e di n hi ma l lt hebe l i e f soft hef a mi l y,butDor i a nt wi s t e dt he mt os ui thi ms e l f .He t houghtt ha twe a l t ha ndpowe rme a nte ve r yt hi ng.Ul t i ma t e l yhebe l i e ve dhewa s i nvi nc i bl e .Ands i nc ehewa st hehe i r ,hewa si ndul ge d.Hene ve rwoul da dmi tt o af a ul twhe nwewe r eki ds ;i fs ome t hi ngha ppe ne d—ar oc kbr e a ki ngawi ndow,or ava s es ha t t e r i ng—hea l wa ysbl a me dme .AndIt ookt hebl a mebe c a us eIa dor e d hi ma ndi ts e e me dr i ghtt ha tIt a kehi spuni s hme ntf orhi m. " Shes i ghe ds of t l y." Iwa sbl i nd.Thepa c ka ge s ,t hes ui t c a s e ,t he ywe r ehi s .I wa sus e dt odoi ngt hi ngsf orhi m,wi t houtque s t i on.Ands i nc eIwa s. . .we l l , r a t he ri nvol ve dwi t hwha twa sha ppe ni ngi nmyownl i f et he n,Iwa s n' tmuc hi nt e r e s t e di nwha ta l lt hef av or sr e a l l ywe r e .Ine ve rl ooke di nt hepa c ka ge s ,t he s ui t c a s e .Ma ybei fIha d—" I fIhad,hemi ghts t i l lbeal i v e .I fIhad,Iwoul dhav ec onf i de di ny ou,and t e ny e ar sofourl i v e swoul dhav ebe e ndi f f e r e nt . Luc a ss e thi sc upont hec ount e ra ndwa l ke doutoft heki t c he n.Kyl edi dn' t t ur n,buts hehe a r dt hef r ontdoorope na nds hutqui e t l y.Shec l os e dhe re ye s ,a nd i nt hes i l e nc eoft hehous ehe rvoi c es ounde da st houghi twe r ewr e nc he df r omt he de pt hsofhe rbody. " I fIha d,youwoul dn' tha ves ol dyourhonorf orme . " Kyl ewa sar e a l i s t ;s hekne wi tha dn' tbe e nc ompl e t e l yhe rf a ul t .Sheha d be e nyoung,t hought l e s s ,a ndi nl ove .Toopr e oc c upi e dwi t ht heda mbur s tofhe r

ownf e e l i ngst onot i c et ha tLuc a sha dgr ownqui e t e rt hos el a s tc oupl eofwe e ks . Toos e l f i nvol ve dt ounde r s t a ndwhys he ' ds ome t i me sc a ughthi ml ooki nga the r wi t habr oodi nge xpr e s s i on.Tooa c c us t ome dt odoi ngt hi ngsf orhe rbr ot he rt onot i c ea nyt hi ngunus ua la boutt hepa c ka ge ss hepi c ke dupf orhi m. AndLuc a s. . .Cons i de r i ngwha theha ds a c r i f i c e df orhe r ,hec l e a r l yha d be e ni nl ovewi t hhe r .Heha dn' tl i e da boutt ha t .Bute ve nt houghheha dbe e na n unde r c ove rc op,wha tha dha ppe ne dt ot he mwa sa l s ohi sf a ul t .Tr us twa sapa r tof l ove ;hes houl dha vedoubt e dt hee vi de nc ea tl e a s te nought oc onf r onthe rwi t hI t . ButLuc a sha dn' tl ove de nough,ordoubt e de nough.Ands heha dl ove dhe r br ot he rt oobl i ndl yt oque s t i on.Andbe c a us eoft ha t ,e a c hoft he m bor eawound t ha twa sr a wa ndbl e e di ng.He rwoundwa sl e s s ,s het hought ,be c a us eknowi ng wha tLuc a sha ddonef orhe rwoul ds t a r tt hehe a l i ngnow.Hehadn' tl e f the r l i ght l y .ButLuc a s. . .Hi swoundwa sade e pa ndt e r r i bl eone ,da ma gi nga ni nt e gr a l pa r tofhi sve r ys e l f . Sheha dt hec omf or tofknowi ngheha dnotl ove dorl e f the rl i ght l y,t ha the ha ds a c r i f i c e ds ome t hi ngofhi ms e l ff orhe r .ButLuc a sha dt hede va s t a t i nga wa r e ne s st ha theha ds ol dhi ss oulf ornot hi ng. I ft e nye a r sha dn' ts e pa r a t e dt he m,Kyl ewoul dha vegoneoutt he ni ns e a r c h ofhi m,a l lhe ri ns t i nc t st e l l i nghe rt ha tama ns houl dn' tbea l onewhi l ef a c i ngs uc h at e r r i bl et r ut h.Sheha de a r ne dt her i ghtt ogoa f t e rhi ma l lt hos eye a r sa goi na s i ngl eni ghtofpa s s i ona t egi vi ng. Shewa nt e dt ogoa f t e rhi m,e ve ni fhe rc omf or tc oul dbenomor et ha npr e s e nc eoras i mpl et ouc h.Buts hec oul dn' t .Wha theha ddonef orhe rha dc ha nge d hi mi nwa yss hemi ghtne ve rf ul l yunde r s t a nd,ha dma dehi ml e s st ha nhewa s — a ndmor et ha nhewa s . Fa rba c ki nada r kc or ne rofhe rmi ndwa sa not he rr e a s ons hec oul dn' tgo a f t e rhi m now.Lovewa spe r ha pst hes t r onge s thuma ne mot i onofa l l —a nda l s o t hemos tf r a gi l e .Andi twa sl e s sl i ke l yt odi eaqui e tde a t ht ha nt oa l t e ri t s e l ft o bi t t e r ne s sa ndr e gr e t .Sa c r i f i c ea l wa ysc os ts ome ones ome t hi ng.Luc a smi ghtha ve l e a r ne dt oha t ehe ri nt e nye a r s . Hemi ghtha vel e a r ne dt oha t ehe ri nt e nmi nut e s . Kyl egotups l owl ya ndwe nti nt ot hel i vi ngr oom.Shes a tont hec ouc ha nd pi c ke dupt hephone ,di a l i nganumbe re ve nmor ef a mi l i a rt ha nhe rown.He rf a t he rwa sa ne a r l yr i s e r ,a ndt hehous e hol ds t a f fa swe l l ,bute ve nt hebut l e r s ounde ds l e e pywhe nhea ns we r e d. Whi l es hewa i t e df orhe rf a t he rt oc omet ot hephone ,Kyl ef r e t t e da boutt he phr a s i ngofhe rque s t i on.The r eha dbe e nl i t t l ebe t we e nhe ra ndhe rf a t he r ;Dor i a n ha dbe e nt hepr i deofhi sl i f e .Tohe r ,Phi l l i pGr i f f onha da l wa ysbe e nas t r i c ta ut hor i t yf i gur e ,a ndwha ts hef e l tf orhi mwa sma deupmor eofr e s pe c tt ha na f f e c t i on.Ac a l m,humor l e s sma nwhos a ta tt hehe a dofbot hboa r dr ooma nddi ni ngt a bl e s ,heha dma denos e c r e tofhi sdi s a ppr ova lofhe r ,hi sdi s a ppoi nt me nti nhe r . Sheha dne ve rl e a r ne dhowt ot a l kt ohi m. " Kyl e ? "Hi svoi c ewa sa sdr ya ndpr e c i s ea sa l wa ys ,a sunhur r i e da ndwi t houtmuc hi nf l e c t i on. " He l l o,Fa t he r . "The r ewa snone e d,s hekne w,t oa s khowhea ndhe rmot he rwe r e ;hewoul dc ons i de rt ha tawa s t eoft i me .Shes t a r e df i xe dl ya the rf i r e pl a c ea ndt r i e dt of i ndt hewor ds ." I —Ine e dt oa s kyoua bouts ome t hi ng. " " Wha ti si t ? " " I t ' sa boutDor i a n. " The r ewa sal ongs i l e nc e ,a ndt he nhi svoi c ec a met hr ought hel i ne sf l a t l y.

" Yourbr ot he r ' sde a d. " Kyl eha l fc l os e dhe re ye s ." Ye s .Di dyouknowhewa sus i ngdr ugswhi l eI wa sa tt heuni ve r s i t y? "Li kea l lha r dque s t i ons ,he r sc a meoutqui c kl y,bl unt l y, a ndwi t houtt a c t ,a ss heha dbe e na f r a i di twoul d. " Iwon' ta l l owhi sna met obedi r t i e d, "Phi l l i pGr i f f ons a i d." Ha ss omes c a nda ls he e ta ppr oa c he dyou,Kyl e ?Yourf a mi l yna mei si mpor t a nt ,e ve ni fyoudon' t t hi nks o. " Shef e l tc ol da ndl one l y." Not hi ngl i ket ha t ,Fa t he r .Ij us tne e dt oknow.I t ' s be e nt e nye a r s — don' tyout hi nkIha vet her i ghtt oknow?Wa sheus i ngdr ugs t he n?I st ha twhyyouc a l l e dhi mhome ? " " Kyl e —" " Fa t he r , "s hes a i de ve nl y," I ' vej us tf oundoutt ha tIwa sa l mos ta r r e s t e dbe c a us eofwha tDor i a nwa sdoi ng.Iha vet her i ghtt oknow. " " J us tf oundout ? "Hi svoi c es ha r pe ne d." Fr omwhom? " " Ane xpol i c e ma n.Iwa ntt oknowi fyoukne wa boutDor i a n' sl i f et he n.Di d you? " " Whoi st hi se xpol i c e ma n?Wha tha shet ol dyoua boutyourbr ot he r ? " " Wi l lyoua ns we rme ,pl e a s e ? "Shef e l tl i kes c r e a mi nga thi m butdi dn' t ,of c our s e ." Di dyouknowbe f or eyouc a l l e dhi mhomet ha tDor i a nwa sus i ngdr ugs ? Se l l i ngt he m? " " Is us pe c t e d, "hes a i df i na l l y,br i e f l y.Shewa sl ooki ngbl i ndl ya tnot hi ng. " Is e e .Whydi dyous e ndmet oEur ope ?Di dyous us pe c tmet oo? " Aga i nhehe s i t a t e d." Noha r mi nt e l l i ngyounow,Is uppos e ;Iwa swa r ne d t ha tdr ugswe r ec ommononc a mpusa ndt ha ti twa s n' tas a f epl a c ef oras he l t e r e d s e ve nt e e nye a r ol d. " Shef e l tde t a c he d." Whowa r ne dyou? " " J os huaLong.I ts e e msheha daf r i e ndonc a mpuswhowa r ne dhi ma bout t hepr obl e m. " Me a ni ngLuc a s ,s hekne w.Wha tha di tc os thi spr i de ,s hewonde r e d,t ot ur n t ohi sne we mpl oye ra ndr e que s taf a vors uc ha st ha tone ? " Whoi st hi se xpol i c e ma n? "he rf a t he ra s ke ds ha r pl y. " Ne ve rmi nd. " " Re a l l y,Kyl e ,ha veyounot houghtofyourf a mi l y' sna meormypos i t i on?I f t hi sma nha si nf or ma t i onpot e nt i a l l yda ma gi ngt ous ,Imus tbema dea wa r e —" I nas t i l l ,r e mot evoi c es hes a i d," Oh,don' twor r y,Fa t he r .Hedoe s n' tne e dt o s e l li nf or ma t i ont ot hes c a nda ls he e t s .Andbl a c kma i li s n' thi ss t yl e .Hewon' tdi s t ur bt hepr e c i ousf a mi l yna me . "Ands hequi e t l yc r a dl e dt her e c e i ve r . He rf a t he rdi dn' tc a l lba c k.Butt he n,s heha dn' te xpe c t e dhi mt o. Sus pe c t e d.He rf a t he rha ds us pe c t e dt ha tt hea ppl eofhi se yewa sus i nga nd s e l l i ngdr ugs .Soheha dya nke dhi m ba c khome ,s oqui c kl yt ha tDor i a nha dn' t be e na bl et or e c l a i mt hes ui t c a s ef ul lofhi sl a t e s tpur c ha s e .Knowi ngDor i a n,he ha ds hr ugge dof ft hel os soft hos edr ugs ,qui c kl yf oundas uppl i e rc l os e rt ohome , a ndne ve re ve nt houghtt owa r nhi ss i s t e rt odr opt ha tda mni ngs ui t c a s ei nt oar i ve r . Andt hr e emont hsl a t e rhewa sde a d. Kyl ewa sbe yonda s s i gni ngbl a met oa nyonef ora nypa r toft ha tt r a gi cs e r i e s ofe ve nt s .I twa sove r ,t e nye a r sove r ,a ndt he ya l lha dt ol e a r nt ol i vewi t ht her e s ul t s . He rf a t he rha dl e a r ne dt ol i vewi t hwha t e ve rhef e l tbyne ve rme nt i oni nghi s de a ds onbyna mea ndbya c t i nga si fheha dnoof f s pr i ng;f r om he rye a r si nEu-

r opeon,Phi l l i pGr i f f onha dt a ke nnof ur t he ri nt e r e s ti nKyl e .Andhe rmot he r c ol dl ybl a me dKyl ef ort hel os sofDor i a n.Shes houl dha vebe e na bl et odos ome t hi ng;a f t e ra l l ,ha dn' ts hea l wa yswa t c he doutf orhe rbr ot he r ,e ve ni fhewa st wo ye a r sol de r ? Butwha toft heot he rt wowhoha ds uf f e r e d— Kyl ea ndLuc a s ? Shedi dn' tknow,notr e a l l y.Notnow.Notye t . Hour spa s s e dbe f or eLuc a sc a meba c ki nt ot hec a bi n.Kyl ewa sont he c ouc h,c ur l e dupbe f or eabl a z i ngf i r edr i nki ngc of f e e .Shedi dn' tl ooka thi m,j us t t ol dhi mt ha tc of f e ewa si nt heki t c he n.Hewa spr oba bl yc hi l l e dt ot hebone ,s he t hought ,be c a us ei tha ds udde nl yt ur ne dc ol dout s i de ,t hewa yi ts ome t i me sdi di n t hemount a i ns .Ther a di owa spl a yi ngs of t l y,a ndt hewe a t he rf or e c a s tha dj us t be e na nnounc e d.Snowwi t hi nt we nt yf ourhour s . Shehe a r dhi m goi nt ot heki t c he nwhe r ef a i nts oundsi ndi c a t e dhewa s r e a dyf ors omeki ndofwa r mt h,a tl e a s t .I nal i t t l ewhi l es hef e l thi ms i tont he c ouc haf ootors oa wa yf r omhe r .St i l l ,s hedi dn' tl ooka thi m. Sof t l y,wa r yofdi s t ur bi ngt hehi ghwi r eunde rhe rf e e t ,s hea s ke d," Doyou ha veaf a mi l y? " " No. "Hedi dn' te l a bor a t e . " Ha veyoue ve rbe e nc l os et oa nyone ? " " Af e wf r i e nds .You. " I ts ur pr i s e dhe rs omuc ht ha ts het ur ne dhe rhe a dt ol ooka thi ma ndf ound hi sga z es t e a dyonhe rf a c ea shes a tha l ft ur ne dt owa r dhe r .Ands hewa se ve n mor es ur pr i s e dwhe nhewe ntoni naqui e t ,mus i ngt one . " It hi nkIwe ntal i t t l ema dwhe nIme tyou.Youwe r e. . .s ome oneve r ys pe c i a l .Youwe r ea tac r os s r oa dsi nyourl i f e ,s us pe nde dbe t we e nwoma na ndc hi l d. Idon' tknow,ma ybei fI ' dha ds i s t e r sa ndwa t c he dt he mgr ow,youwoul dn' tha ve a f f e c t e dmequi t es os t r ongl y.It hi nkt ha twa sapa r tofi t ,wa t c hi ngyout ur ni nt o awoma nbe f or emye ye s .Andyouwe r e —f or gi veme —s t a r ve df ora f f e c t i on. " Kyl enodde ds l owl y,una bl et ot a kehe re ye sof faf a c et ha tha dgr ownwor n a ndha gga r dt he s el a s thour sbutwa ss t i l li nc r e di bl ybe a ut i f ula ndnol onge ra ma s k.Andwi t ha l lhemus tbef e e l i nghi ms e l f ,hes t i l lt houghtofhe rf e e l i ngs . Shes wa l l owe dha r d." Igue s sIwa s . " " Met oo. "Hes mi l e dj us tal i t t l e ,butt he nt hes mi l edi e da ndt he r ewa s s ome t hi ngbl e a ki nhi svi vi de ye s ." Iwa sni neye a r sol de rt ha nyou;I ' dbe e nac op f orf i veye a r s .Andwhe nyouwor kunde r c ove r ,you—t he r e ' sada nge rofl os i ng your s e l f .ButIf or gota l lt ha twhe nyouwe r ewi t hme .Youwe r es ount ouc he d.So da mne di nnoc e ntofc r ue l t y.Youwe r ej us twa ki ngupt ol i f e .The r ewe r enos ha dowsi nyou,noni ght ma r e si nyourme mor i e s .Youj umpe done ve r yba ndwa gon t ha tpa s s e d,j us tf ort hej oyoft her i de . " " Andyoube l i e ve ds e l l i nghe r oi nwa sa not he rba ndwa gon. "Sheha dn' t me a ntt os a yi t ,r e a l i z i ngonl yt he nt ha tt he r ewa sawoundbe c a us eheha dn' t t r us t e dhe re nough. " No. "Hi sr e s pons es e e me dt oc omef r om de e pi ns i dehi m,whe r et he r ewa s noque s t i on.Butt he nhes hookhi she a d." Idon' tknow.I t ' sha unt e dmebe c a us eI c oul dne ve rbes ur e .Iha dne ve rf a c e dyouwi t hi t . " " Andnow?Looki ngba c k? "Shega z e da thi ms t e a di l y." Whydi dyoudoi t , Luc ?Be c a us eyout houghtyoul ove dme ? " " Be c a us eIkne w youl ove dme .Orl ove dwha tyout houghtIwa s . "Hi s

voi c ewa sl ow,t e nt a t i ve ,a si fi twe r ear e c e ntdi s c ove r y.Hel ooke ddowna tt he c ool i ngc of f e ei nhi sc up." Youl ooke da tmel i keIwa sagod,Kyl e ,di dyou know t ha t ?Li keI ' dj us ts t e ppe ddownof fOl ympus .Andt ha t ' she a dys t uf f .Se duc t i ves t uf f .I ' ds pe ntmont hsa tat i mer ubbi nge l bowswi t ht hes c um oft he e a r t h,a nds ome t i me sa l lt ha tdi r twe i ghe dmedown.ButIha dt obewor t hs ome t hi ng,be c a us eKyl el ooke da tmel i ket ha t . " ButIkne wIha df e e tofc l a y. "Hel ooke da the rt he n,wi t hac r ooke ds mi l e a ndas he e ni nhi se ye s ." AndIt hi nkIwa sl e s sa f r a i dofbe i ngdi s a ppoi nt e di n yout ha nofha vi ngyoubedi s i l l us i one dbyme .Yout houghtIwa ss pe c i a l ,a ndI di dn' twa ntt oha vet ot e l lyouIwa s n' t .Tha tIwa sj us tac opt r yi ngt odoadi r t y j ob.Tha tIwa swa t c hi ngyoua ndf ol l owi ngyout odot ha tdi r t yj ob. " Kyl es t a r e da thi m." Soi tdi dn' tma t t e rwhe t he rI ' ddonewha tyous us pe c t e d?I tj us tma t t e r e dt ha tInotf i ndoutyouwe r e n' twha tIt houghtyouwe r e ? " Shef e l tbe wi l de r e d,f e l ts ome howhur ta nd. . .c he a t e d." Luc ,gi r l sgr owup.And t he yf i ndoutt ha tme na r e n' tgods .Eve nt heone st he yt hi nkt he yl ove . " " Iknow. "Heha l fc l os e dhi se ye s ." Kyl e ,Ic a n' tgi veyouac l e a rl i s tofr e a s onswhyIdi dwha tIdi d.I twa saj umbl et he n.Andnow.Iwa sf e e l i ngt oomuc h t os or tonet hi ngf r oma not he r .Ands i nc et he nI ' vef e l tal otofbi t t e r ne s sbe c a us e It ur ne dmyba c konmyr e s pons i bi l i t i e sa ndwa l ke da wa yf r ommyj ob. " " Andme ?Wha tdi dyouf e e la boutt ur ni ngyourba c konme ,Luc ?Howdi d youf e e ll e a vi ngmyr oom a ndknowi ngI ' dwa keupa l one ,myone ni ghtl ove r va ni s he dwi t houtawor d?Di dyoue ve nc ons i de rj us thow br ut a l l yIf oundout a boutgodswi t hf e e tofc l a y? " Hea l mos tf l i nc he df r omt hes udde nbi t t e r ne s si nhe rvoi c e ." Ye s t e r da y, "he mur mur e d," If e l tf r us t r a t e dbe c a us eIdi dn' tknowwha tyouwe r et hi nki ngorf e e l i ng. " Kyl et r i e dt or e c l a i mhe rs ur f a c ec a l mbutf oundi tgone ,outofr e a c h." Ye s t e r da yIdi dn' tknow wha tIwa st hi nki ngorf e e l i ng, "s hes a i dt i ght l y." Andt hi s mor ni ngIf e l ts ha t t e r e dbe c a us eIt houghtyou' ds ol dyourpr i de ,oryourhonor ,or s ome t hi ng,t opr ot e c tme .AndnowI ' mj us tpl a i nmad,be c a us ewha tyoudi dwa s f ora l lt hewr ongr e a s ons ! " Luc a swa sga z i nga the rwi t ha nodd,s e a r c hi ngl ook,a ndhema dear ough s oundt ha tmi ghtha vebe e nal a ugh." Whe ndi dIs t opbe i nggodl i ke ,Kyl e ?Te n ye a r sa gowhe nyouwokeupa l one ?Ort e nmi nut e sa gowhe nIa dmi t t e dIma de s omehuma nmi s t a ke s ?Wha thur t swor s e —t ha tIl e f twi t houtawor dort ha tIl e f t f orpur e l ys e l f i s hr e a s ons ? " Shef e l tas hoc kt ha twa sa l mos tphys i c a l ,apa i nf ulj ol tt ha tknoc ke da nge r a nddi s i l l us i onme ntc ompl e t e l ya s i de ." No.I —" " Is uppos ewea l ldot ha t , "hes a i dqui e t l y." Ra t i ona l i z et opr ot e c tours e l f i ma ge s .Te nye a r sa goIt ol dmys e l fIwa spr ot e c t i ngyou,Iwa sdoi ngs ome t hi ng nobl e ,whe na l lt het i mewha tIwa st r yi ngt opr ot e c twa syourve r ya t t r a c t i vei ma geofmys e l f .Ic oul dn' tt e l lyouwhoIwa swi t houts ha t t e r i ngt ha ti ma ge .SoI wa l ke da wa y.Andwha tdi dIl e a veyouwi t h?Yourownr a t i ona l i z i ng. " I twa st r uea nds hekne wi t .Andbe c a us ehewa sbe i ngs opa i nf ul l yhone s t , s hec oul dbenol e s s . " I twa samys t e r y, "s hes a i ds l owl y." Nor e c or dofyoua tt heuni ve r s i t y.No onewhokne wwhe r eyou' dgone .Amys t e r y.St r a nge .AndIbui l toni t .It ol dmys e l fove ra ndove rt ha tyouwoul dn' tha vel e f twi t houtawor dunl e s syouha da s t r ongr e a s on.Ii ma gi ne dwi l dt hi ngs . " Hedi dn' ta s khe rt oe l a bor a t e ,s a yi ng," Andt hi smor ni ngyous udde nl yha d

ar e a s on.Il e f tt opr ot e c tyou,s a c r i f i c i ng—wha twa si tyous a i d? —myhonoror mys ouli nt hepr oc e s s ?Iwa s n' tt heonl yonewhopa i nt e dmys e l fnobl e . " Kyl enodde d,s ur pr i s i ngl yune mba r r a s s e d,buts a i da f t e ramome nt ," It hi nk youdi ds a c r i f i c es ome t hi ng,t hough. " " Idi d, "hea gr e e di mme di a t e l y,wr yl y." Is a c r i f i c e dwha t e ve rma yha ve e vol ve dbe t we e nus .Andpe r ha psIga veupapa r tofmy—oh,honor ,f orwa ntof abe t t e rwor d.It ur ne dmyba c kont her e s pons i bi l i t i e sofmyj ob.Buti tf e l tl i ke a ne ve nt r a det he n.Tha tpa r tofmef oryouri ma geofme . " Shef e l ta si fs hewe r el ooki nga thi mf ort hef i r s tt i me ,as t r a nge rme twhi l e r oundi ngas udde nc or ne r ." Wene ve rkne we a c hot he ra ta l l ,di dwe ? "s hea s ke d wonde r i ngl y." Youkne waki dt r yi ngt ooha r dt obeawoma n,a ndIkne wa ni ma gei nmymi nd. " Hes mi l e da not he rt wi s t e ds mi l e ." I t ' st a ke nmet he s et e nye a r st os e emys e l f c l e a r l y, "hes a i d." Andt hel a s toft ha tnobl ei ma ges ha t t e r e dwhe nyout ol dmeI l e f tf ornot hi ng.Wha ta boutyou? " " Idon' tknow.It hi nkI ' mj us tbe gi nni ngt os e emys e l f . "Shewa ss i l e ntf ora mome nta ndt he n,j e r ki l y,s hea s ke d," Di dyoupl a nt ha tl a s tni ght ? " " No. "The nhes wor es of t l y." Idon' tknow.Ikne w youwe r eunt ouc he d. Tha t ' sa nol df a s hi one dwor d,buti tf i tyou.Ma ybeIwa nt e dt ha t .Yous a i di t your s e l f .Gi r l sbe c omewome na ndf i ndoutt ha tme na r e n' tgods .It hi nkIwa nt e d t oma kel ovet oyoube f or eyouf oundout . " Sl owl y,qui e t l y,t hel a s tl i nge r i ngr e mna nt soft ha tgodl i kei ma gef a de d a wa y.Heha df a l l e nof ft hepe de s t a ls heha dputhi m ona l lt hos eye a r sa go,a nd s hedi dn' tknow wha thewa snow.AndLuc a ss e e me dt or e a dhe rmi nd—ort he e xpr e s s i ononhe rf a c e . " I ' mj us tama n,Kyl e , "hes a i dqui e t l y." I ' vema demor emi s t a ke si nmyl i f e t ha nIl i ket ot hi nka bout ,butIhopeI ' vel e a r ne df r ommos toft he m.Wha tIdi dt o youwa sc r ue l ,a ndi fIc oul dgoba c ka ndc ha ngei t ,Iwoul d.ButIc a n' t . " Kyl es t a r e di nt ot hef i r e ,f e e l i ngc ol da ndpa i nf ul l ya wa r eofat e a r i nggr i e f . Heha dn' tbe e nr e al .Sheha dgi ve nhe r s e l f ,e ve r yt hi ngs hewa s ,t oama ns heha d ma deupi nhe rownmi nd.Andt e nye a r sc oul dn' ts of t e nt ha tbl ow.Te nye a r sha d ma dei twor s e ,be c a us et ha ti ma geha dl i ve di nhe rmi nds ol ong,i tha ds e e me d e ve nmor er e a l .Andnowhe ' dt or ni toutbyt her oot s ,a ndt heba r es pothur tt e r r i bl y. " I ' ms or r y, "hes a i dqui e t l y. " I tdoe s n' the l p, "s hes na ppe d. " Iknow. " Shel ooke da thi mt he nwi t hbur ni nge ye s ." Yous houl dha ves t a ye da wa y. " " Soyouc oul dgoonl ovi ngagod? "hea s ke dbl e a kl y. " I tdi dn' thur t ,notl i ket hi s .Atl e a s tt he r ewa snoonet ot e l lmet ha tyou we r e n' tr e a l . " Luc a ss hookhi she a d." ButIwa sr e a l ,da mmi t .Ia mr e a l .Kyl e ,Ine e de d t ha ti ma geofyour st he n,be c a us et he r ewa ss omuc hdi r ti nmyl i f ea ndIwa s t i r e dofi t .Ca l lmeaba s t a r d,ahe e l —a nyt hi ngyouwa nt .Ide s e r vei t .ButIdi dn' t de l i be r a t e l ys e toutt ohur tyou.Ine ve rwa nt e dt ha t . " Hel ooke da the rwi t hr e s t l e s se ye s ." Some t i me st hr ought heye a r sIwa nt e d t os e eyous oba dl y,Ia c he d.Il ooke df oryourna mei nt hema ga z i ne sa ndne ws pa pe r s ,a nds omeoft het hi ngsyouwe r edoi ngs c a r e dt hehe l loutofme . "He he s i t a t e d,t he ns a i d," The r ewa sne ve ra nyhi ntofama ni nyourl i f e ,t hough. " Shekne w wha thewa sa s ki ng,a ndhe rs mi l ewa sbi t t e r ." Wha tma nc oul d

l i veupt ot heme mor yofagod? " " Kyl e —" " Iknow.You' r es or r y. " Hi ss mi l ewa sbi t t e rt oo." Youf or ga vemef orl e a vi ngyou,Kyl e .Te nye a r s a go.Youj us tc a n' tf or gi vemenowf orbe i nghuma n. " Her os ea ndc a r r i e dhi sc ol dc of f e et ot heki t c he n,t he nr e t ur ne dt oga z e downa the rwi t hnoe xpr e s s i on." I ' l lt e l lHa ge nwe ' l lha vet of i nda not he rwa yi nt oRome ' shous e . " Kyl eha df or got t e na boutt ha t .Shel ooke dupa tLuc a sa ndf e l tas udde n, s e a r i nga nge r ." J us tl i ket ha t ?Sof oras e c ondt i meyou' r egoi ngt owa l t zt hr ough myl i f e ,dr opac oupl eofbombs he l l s ,a ndt he ns i mpl yl e a ve ? " " Wha tt hehe l ldoyouwa ntmet odo? "hede ma nde d,s l i di nghi sha ndsi nt o t hepoc ke t sofhi sj e a ns ,hi sf a c et i ght e ni ng." We ' r es t r a nge r s ,Kyl e .Andonc e uponat i met hi ss t r a nge rhur tyou.Wha tdoyouwa nt ,a t one me nt ?The r e ' snot hi ng Ic a ndot oc ha ngewha tha ppe ne d.Ic a n' te ve nt r y ,be c a us eyouwon' tf or gi veme f orbe i nghuma n. " Kyl ea ut oma t i c a l l ys e the rc upa s i dea nds t oodup,f a c i nghi m.Ands he di dn' tknowwha ts hewoul ds a yunt i lt hewor dse me r ge d." Iwa ntt oknowwha tI mi s s e d,Luc .I ' m awoma nnow,a ndwebot hknowIdon' tbe l i e veme na r egods a nymor e .It hi nkIde s e r vet oknowwhor e a l l ywa l ke da wa yf r om met e nye a r s a go. " Luc a sga z e da tt hel ove l yf a c et ha twa s n' ts e r e nea nymor e ;t e nye a r sha dn' t a ge dorc ha nge dhe rs ur f a c et r a nqui l l i t y,butt hes ha t t e r i ngofi l l us i onsha d.She l ooke dol de rt ha nye s t e r da y,t hene w ma t ur i t yma ki nghe rmor ebe a ut i f ult ha n e ve r .Andheha das udde npr e moni t i ont ha tt hi st i mei twoul dbehewhowoul d bel e f thur t i nga nda l one . " So,Idon' twa l koutt ha tdoor ? "hea s ke ds t e a di l ye nough. " Idon' tknow.Doyou?I t ' st wowe e ksunt i lMa r t i n' sl i t t l ewe e ke ndpa r t y.I s t ha tl onge noughf ort wos t r a nge r st oge tt oknowe a c hot he r ? " " Wha tha veyougoti nmi nd? "Hewa st r yi ngnott or e me mbe ras l e nde r bodyf l a mi ngwi t ha wa ke ne dpa s s i on.Tr yi ngnott or e me mbe rhowba dl yheha d hur thi ms e l fbyl e a vi nghe ra ndhowl ongheha dhur t .Shepr oba bl ywoul dn' tbe l i e vehi m.Pr oba bl ywoul dn' tbe l i e vehes t i l lwokes ome t i me sr e a c hi ngoutf or he r . Kyl es hr ugge d." Idon' tknow.It hi nkIwa nt . . .Iwa ntt i met ohe a l .It r us t e d yout he n,a ndIha ve n' tt r us t e da nyones i nc e .Noot he rma nc oul de ve rme a s ur eup t owha tIt houghtyouwe r e .Eve nt houghpa r tofmeke ptyouonyourpe de s t a l , a not he rpa r tofmene ve rwa nt e dt obehur tl i ket ha ta ga i n.SoIj us ts t oppe df e e l i ng.Iwa ntt of e e la ga i n,Luc . " Hi ss mi l ewa sf or c e d,s t i f f ." Ha t eme .Tha t ' sf e e l i ng. " " Idon' twa ntt oha t eyou. "Shel ooke da thi ms e a r c hi ngl y,wonde r i ngwha t s hedi dwa nt . Hewonde r e dt oo." The nwha t ?J us tt woni c egr ownup,a dul tpe opl eona t wowe e kda t e ?Tos e ei fwec l i c k? " " Ma ybewewoul d, "s hes a i ds obe r l y.Luc a swa l ke dove rt ot hewi ndowbe c a us eheha dt omove ,ha dt os t opl ooki nga the r .Hel ooke dout s i dei ns t e a d. " Andi fwedi d? " Shedi dn' tknow.Di ds hewa ntt ot a kes uc har i s k?Agod,wi t ha l lhi st hunde r bol t s ,c oul dn' thur tagi r lt hewa yama nc oul dhur tawoma n.Kyl ef e l tc onf us e d,a f r a i d." Idon' tknow, "s hes a i df i na l l y,a l mos ti na udi bl y." Doyou? "She

wa t c he dhi ss houl de r ss qua r e ,a si fhewe r ebr a c i nga ga i ns ts ome t hi ng. " Il e f tyouonc e , "hes a i d,ve r yl ow." Te l lmet ogoa ndI ' l ll e a veyounow. La t e rIma ynotbea bl et ol e a veyou,Kyl e . " " Whynot ? "Shewa ss udde nl yt e ns e ,a wa r et ha tagr e a tde a lde pe nde don hi sa ns we r . Het ur ne dt of a c ehe r ,l e a ni ngba c ka ga i ns tt hewi ndowf r a me .Hel ooke da s dr a i ne da ss hef e l t ." I fIs t a y,we ' l lve r ypr oba bl ye ndupbe i ngl ove r s .Ihopeyou knowi t . " Shehe s i t a t e d,t he nnodde ds l owl y.Ada yf orhone s t y.I nde e d." Iknow.I t ' s pos s i bl e . " " Ar eyouwi l l i ngf ori tt oha ppe n? "Hi svoi c ewa st e r s e ,c ont r ol l e d. Kyl eme thi sga z es t e a di l y." Youwa nt e dt oma kel ovet oagi r lwhodi dn' t knowt hedi f f e r e nc ebe t we e nme na ndgods ;ma ybeIwa ntt hepos s i bi l i t yofma ki ngl ovet oama nknowi ngt hedi f f e r e nc e . " " Youma ynotwa ntt hema nIa m. " " Iwa ntt of i ndouti fIdo. " " Whi l eIwa i tpa t i e nt l y? " " Whi l eyouf i ndouti fyouwa ntawoma nwho' snol onge ragi r l ,Luc .I ' m nothe ra nymor e .Youma ynotwa ntmenow. " " Ido. " Shebl i nke d,f e l tas udde nhe a tc our s et hr oughhe rbody." Youdo? " Onas i ghhes a i d," Kyl e ,Ine ve rs t oppe dwa nt i ngyou. " Dr oppi ngbombs he l l s ,s het hought .Hewa sgooda tt ha t ." How c a nyou know?Youdon' tknowme . " " I tdoe s n' tma t t e r .Ikne whowIf e l tye s t e r da ywhe nIwa t c he dyous oa r i ng a r oundoutt he r eha ngi ngunde rt ha tgl i de r .Iwa ss c a r e dt ode a t hyou' df a l l .J us t l i keI ' vebe e ns c a r e da l lt he s eye a r se ve r yt i meIs a wapi c t ur eofyouorr e a da n a r t i c l ea boutyou.Sc a r e dyou' dwr e c kt heda mne dr a c ec a r ,orge thur torki l l e d j umpi ngoutofapl a neorc l i mbi ngamount a i n. " Kyl er e a l i z e dt he nt ha the ra r mswe r ec r os s e dove rhe rbr e a s t s ,t ha ts heha d be e nt r yi ngunc ons c i ous l yt ohol dhi m of f ,c l os ehi m out ,s t opwha thewa ss a yi ng.Be c a us ewi t hhe ri l l us i onofhi m gone ,i twa shar dt obe l i e vewha thewa s t e l l i nghe r .Ha r df orawoma nt ogr a s pt ha tagi r l ' sdr e a msofagodwe r es ha l l ow a ndi ns i gni f i c a ntwhe nc ompa r e dt oama n' se mot i onst ha tha dl a s t e dt e nl ong ye a r s . Sheha ds t or e dhe rdr e a mi nade e pf r e e z e ,buti ts e e me dLuc a sha dl i ve d wi t hhi s . I gnor i ngt hebodyl a ngua get ha theunde r s t oodf ul l y,Luc a ss a i ds of t l y, " Andt ha t ' swhyIc oul dn' tl e a veyoul a t e r ,Kyl e .Ine ve rs a i dgoodbyet oyou,s o Ine ve rr e a l l yl os tyou.I fwewe r el ove r sa ndyouwa nt e dmet ogo,I ' dha vet os a y goodbye ,be c a us eIc oul dne ve rl e a veyout hewa yIdi dbe f or e .I ' dha vet os a y goodbyea ndl os eyouc ompl e t e l y,a ndt ha t ' ss ome t hi ngIj us tdon' tt hi nkIc oul d do. " Kyl ec oul dn' ts e e mt obr e a t heve r ywe l la nds hewa ss ha ki ngi ns i de ." You ma kei ts ounds oi mpor t a nt , "s hewhi s pe r e d." Sot e r r i bl yi mpor t a nt . " Luc a spus he dhi ms e l fa wa yf r om t hewi ndows l owl ya ndc r os s e dt her oom t os t a ndbe f or ehe r .Hi sha ndss l i df r omhi spoc ke t sa ndl i f t e dt ohol dhe rs houl de r sc a r e f ul l y—t ooc a r e f ul l y." I ti si mpor t a nt , "hemur mur e d,a ndbe nthi she a dunt i lhi sl i pst ouc he dhe r s . Hedi dn' tki s she rl i keas t r a nge r .A f l oodofme mor yr us he dt hr oughhe r

mi nda ndt r i gge r e das t or m ofs e ns a t i ons ,me mor yofhot ,pos s e s s i veki s s e sa nd ha ndst ha tha dma dehe rbodyhi sown,I mpr i nt i nghe rwi t ht heve r ye s s e nc eof hi ms e l f .Andhe rbody,a t t une dt ohi sa si ns t a nt l ya si tha dbe e ns ol onga go, s wa ye dt owa r dhi m. Shewa sa wa r eofr oughf l a nne la ndha r dmus c l e sunde rhe rf i nge r sa she r ha ndss l i ppe da r oundhi sl e a nwa i s ta ndmove ds l owl yuphi sba c k.He rhe a r t s mot he r e dhe rwi t hi t spoundi ng,a nds t r e ngt hf l owe df r om he rl i mbsa si fs ome t hi ngi ns i dehe r ,s omeba r r i e r ,ha dr upt ur e d,gi ve nwa y.Thes l ow,s t a r kpos s e s s i onofhi st onguei gni t e dac ur loff i r ede e pi ns i dehe rwhe r enof i r eha dbur ne d f orade c a de ,a nds heba r e l yhe a r dt hef a i nt ,hungr ys oundt ha tt a ngl e di nt heba c k ofhe rt hr oa t . Ashe rbodymove dt obec l os e r ,hi sha ndss l i ppe ddownhe rba c ki nal i nge r i ngc a r e s st ha tl e f tat r a i lofs t i ngi nga wa r e ne s s .I tha dbe e nl i ket ha tbe f or e , s her e me mbe r e ddi ml y;heha da l wa ysma dehe rmor ea wa r eofhe rbody,he r s e ns e s .Heha da l wa ysbe e na bl et obr i nghe ra l i vewi t hnomor et ha nal ookora t ouc h.He rbodyr e me mbe r e d. . .. Butt het ouc hofhi sbodyf e l ts l i ght l ydi f f e r e nt ,s her e a l i z e d.Hewa sha r de r , s t r onge r .Hi ski s s e swe r er oughe r ,mor ede ma ndi ng,hi sde s i r emor edi r e c t .She wa sdi f f e r e nt ,t oo,butne i t he roft he i rdi f f e r e nc e sc ha nge dhe rr e a c t i ont ohi spa s s i on.He rbr e a s t swe r ef ul l e r ,he rhi psmor er ounde di nt hewoma nl yf i gur ega i ne d byye a r s ,buts her e me mbe r e d.Anda l lhe rs e ns e s ,f r oz e nf ors ol ong,r e c a l l e donl yt oovi vi dl ys e ns a t i onsknownbutbr i e f l y. Not hi nge l s ema t t e r e d.Nott e nye a r s ,orol da ndne whur t s ,ori l l us i onss ha t t e r e d.Shedi dn' tknow t hi sma n,buthe rbodykne w hi m,wa nt e dhi m,a ndwi l l powe rwa saf r a i lt hi ngove r powe r e dbys he e r ,bur ni ngne e d. Luc a st or ehi smout hf r omhe r swi t hahoa r s es ound,a ndhi sha ndsdr oppe d t opul lhe rhi psf i e r c e l ya ga i ns thi sl owe rbody." I ti si mpor t a nt , "hes a i dt hi c kl y. " Iha ve n' tf e l tl i ket hi sf ort e nye a r s ,Kyl e .AndI ' vel e a r ne dt oomuc hs i nc et he n t ot hr owi ta wa ywi t houtahe l lofaf i ght . " Thr e e Kyl et r i e dt oge thol dofhe r s e l f ,buti twa sdi f f i c ul twhe ns hewa ss oa wa r e ofhi sa r ous a la ndhe rown.Shewa nt e dt oba c ka wa y,puts omedi s t a nc ebe t we e n t he m,buthe rbodyr e f us e dt oa l l ow t ha te s c a pe .Sos her e s t e dhe rf or e he a d a ga i ns thi ss houl de ra ndt r i e dt ot hi nk.Shewa ss ot i r e da nddr a i ne d,a nds he wa nt e dhi ms oba dl y. Butt he ns het houghtofe ve r yt hi ngt ha tha dha ppe ne dbe t we e nt he m,a nd s t r e ngt hr e t ur ne d.The r ewa sas l ow,gr i ma nge ri ns i dehe r ,ar e s e nt me nta thow heha dc he a t e dhe r ,how s heha dc he a t e dhe r s e l f .Sheba c ke da wa yf r om hi m a br upt l yunt i lt he ys t ooda pa r t ,a ndl ooke da thi mwi t hhe rc hi nl i f t e d. " I ' m notagi r la nymor e ,Luc .AndIwon' tf a l li nt obe dwi t has t r a nge rt hi s t i me . " " Kyl e —" " Ime a ni t !Be c a us ei ti s n' tt ha te a s y.Be i ngl ove r si s n' ta na ut oma t i cs t e pf or us ;i tma yne ve rha ppe n. " " I t ' l lha ppe n, "hes a i dr oughl y." Don' tt r yt ot e l lmeIi ma gi ne dyourr e s pons e ,Kyl e .I ' mt heonewhos t oppe d,notyou.Wewoul dn' tha vema dei tt ot he be dr oom! " He rvoi c ee me r ge ds of ta ndf i r m,a ndt he r ewa smor ee mot i oni nt ha tqui e t -

ne s st ha nLuc a swoul dha vet houghtpos s i bl e . " Iga veyoue ve r yt hi ngt e nye a r sa go.Noma t t e rwha tIt houghtyouwe r e ,I ga veyoue ve r yt hi ngIwa s .Andyouga vemenot hi ng,Luc .Note ve nhone s t y.I won' tl e tt ha tha ppe na ga i n.Iwa ntt of i ndoutwhoyoua r e ,a ndwhoyouwe r e , a ndt he nI ' l lde c i dei fIwa ntyout oha vewhoIa m. " Af t e ramome ntLuc a snodde d.Sheha dt her i ght .Andhekne whewa swi l l i ngt oga mbl eons ome t hi ngheha dn' tda r e dt ot e nye a r sa go.Hewa swi l l i ngt o ga mbl et ha tKyl ec oul dl e a r nt ol ovehi m wi t ht hei nt e ns i t yt ha ts heha dl ove d t ha ti ma gei nhe rmi nd. " Il oveyou, "hes a i d,a ndhewa ss t a r t l e dbe c a us et hewor dsha de me r ge dt ot a l l ya ga i ns thi swi l l . Kyl el ooke da thi m,ac ur i ous ,s e a r c hi ngl ook.Shedi dn' tknow i fs hebe l i e ve dhi m.Butwhe t he rs hedi dornot ,s hef e l t —not hi ng." Idon' ts e e ma bl et o f e e lmuc hofa nyt hi nga boutyour i ghtnow, "s hes a i ds l owl y. " Youwa ntme . "Hi svoi c ewa st i ght . " Ma ybeIwa ntt heonl yt hi ngl e f toft ha ti ma ge . "Kyl es hr ugge ds udde nl y. " Idon' tknow.ButIme a nt of i ndout ,Luc .I fyous t a y. " " I ' ms t a yi ng. "Hedr e wade e pbr e a t h." Idon' ts e e mt oha vemuc hc hoi c e . " The ywe r es t r a nge r s ,s t r a nge r swi t hapa s ta ndas t r onga wa r e ne s sofphys i c a lde s i r e .The ywe r ec a ut i ous ,t e nt a t i ve ,bot hwa r yofmovi ngt oof a s t .Andt he y we r eve r yc a r e f ult oa voi dt ouc hi ng.Butt he ywe r ea bl et of i ndane ut r a lgr ound, a ndbot hc l ungt ot ha tpr os a i cs pa c e . The yf i xe dal a t el unc hi nt heki t c he n,a voi di ngge t t i ngi ne a c hot he r ' swa y a ndbe i nga l mos tpa i nf ul l ypol i t e .The ya t e ,ma ki ngbl a ndc onve r s a t i ona boutt he we a t he r .The yc l e a ne dupa f t e rt heme a lwi t hs t udi e dc a s ua l ne s s . Thi ss t a t eofa f f a i r smi ghtha vel a s t e di nde f i ni t e l y—ormi ghtha vebl ownup i nt he i rf a c e s .Howe ve r ,adi s t r a c t i onpr e s e nt e di t s e l f .Ac t ua l l yt wodi s t r a c t i ons , ma ki ngas ui t a bl ydr a ma t i ce nt r a nc e . Kyl e ,mor ea t t une dt ot hes oundsofhe rhomet ha nLuc a s ,he a r di tf i r s ta nd we ntoutt os t a ndont hef r ontpor c h.Hewe ntwi t hhe r ,he a r i ngwha ts he ' dhe a r d a ss oona st he ywe r eout s i dei nt hec r i s pa i r . " He l i c opt e r . " Shel ooke da thi m." I ' mnote xpe c t i ngc ompa ny.Howa boutyou? " " No. "Buthewa sf r owni ng,a ndwhe nas l e e kwhi t ec r a f ts e tdownya r ds f r omt hec a bi n,hewa s n' ts ur pr i s e dt os e et hel ogoe t c he di nbl ue . " LongEnt e r pr i s e s , "Kyl es a i d,s e ndi nghi ma not he rgl a nc e . Luc a ss l i dhi sha ndsi nt ohi spoc ke t sa nds a i dnot hi ng,wa t c hi ngwhi l et he he l i c opt e rl os tpowe ra ndt het humpi ngr ot or ss l owe dt os i l e nc e .Twome n c l i mbe doutoft hec r a f ta nda ppr oa c he dt hec a bi nbr i s kl y. Kyl ewa t c he dc ur i ous l ya st he yne a r e d,ones l i ght l ya he a doft heot he r .The f i r s tma nwa sr a t he rl a r gea ndc l e a r l ypowe r f ul ,hi sl e a nf a c eope n,a l mos ti nge nuous ,unr e ma r ka bl ebutc ur i ous l ypl e a s a nt .Hi sha i rwa sar us t ys ha deofbr own a ndhi se ye ss ome whe r ebe t we e nbl uea ndgr a y.Thes e c ondma nwa st a l la nd l e a ne rt ha nhi sc ompa ni on,wi t hc oppe rha i ra ndl i ghtbr owne ye s .Hi sf a c ewa s humor ous ,hi ss mi l es ome wha tl a z y— buthemove dwi t haki ndofwi r e dt a ut ne s s t ha ts pokeofa ni nc r e di bl ea mountofe ne r gy. Ast hef i r s tma nr e a c he dt he m hes a i d," Wow! "r a t he ri ne l e ga nt l ya shi s ga z es we ptove rKyl e ,t he nhea ddr e s s e dLuc a s ." Nowonde ryoudi dn' tr e por ti n. "

Si ghi ngal i t t l ebutl ooki nga nnoye da nds ome wha ti mpa t i e nt ,Luc a smur mur e d," Kyl e ,t hi si sKe l s e y—be t t e rknowna sHa ge n' sr i ghta r m. " " Ia m not , "Ke l s e yi ns t a nt l yde ni e d,of f e nde d." Sna ke sdon' tha vea r ms .I j us ts l i t he ra l ongbe s i dehi ms ome t i me s , "hec onf i de dt oKyl e ." Howdoyoudo? " s hemur mur e dgr a ve l y.J us ta sgr a ve ,her e pl i e d," I ' mnotr e a l l ys ur e .It hi nkIwi n a boutha l ft het i me . "Kyl ef oundhe r s e l fs mi l i nga ndwa s n' ts ur pr i s e d." Andt hi s ot he rc ha r a c t e r , "Luc a ss a i d," i sRa f f e r t yLe wi s .He ' sJ os h' sa t t or ne y,a ndIdon' t knowwha tt hehe l lhe ' sdoi nghe r e . " " If l e wt hebi r d, "Ra f f e r t ys a i d,a si ft ha te xpl a i ne de ve r yt hi ng.Hes mi l e da t Kyl e ." He l l o. " " Hi . "Shegl a nc e da tLuc a s ,not i nghi ss ome wha tmut i nouse xpr e s s i on,t he n ba c ka tt hevi s i t or s ." Whydon' tyouge nt l e me nc omei ns i de ? " Ke l s e yl ooke da tRa f f e r t y." Yous e e ?It ol dyouIwa sage nt l e ma n,butno, youwoul dn' tbe l i e veme .Kyl ei sobvi ous l yawoma nofgr e a tpe r c e pt i on. " " Shedoe s n' tknowyouye t , "Ra f f e r t yc hi de d. " Iwa ntt oknow wha tt hehe l lyou' r ebot hdoi nghe r e , "Luc a ss a i da st he y we nti ns i det hec a bi n,e f f e c t i ve l yc ut t i ngs hor tt hedi s c us s i onofKe l s e y' spe r s ona l i t y. " Ha ge n, "Ke l s e ys a i d. " J os h, "Ra f f e r t ys a i da tt hes a met i me . The yl ooke da te a c hot he ra nds c owl e d. Kyl et r i e dnott ogi ggl ea ss hes a ti nar oc ki ngc ha i rbyt hef i r e pl a c e .Sher e ma i ne ds i l e nt ,mos t l ybe c a us es hewa sr e l i e ve dbyt heI nt e r r upt i ont he s eme npr e s e nt e d,buta l s obe c a us et he ywe r ec l e a r l yf r i e ndsofLuc ' sa ndwoul dt he r e f or e gi vehe ra noppor t uni t yt ol e a r nal i t t l emor ea bouthi m.Ora tl e a s ts hehope ds o. " Le t ' sha vei t , "Luc a sde ma nde d. Ke l s e yma dea n" a f t e ryou,Al phons e "ge s t ur et oRa f f e r t ya ndt he ns a tdown ont hec ouc h,l ooki ngI nnoc e nt . Ra f f e r t yus e das houl de rt opr opupt hef i r e pl a c ea c r os sf r om Kyl ea nd s mi l e d." Not hi nge a r t hs ha ki ng, "het ol dLuc a spl a c a t i ngl y." Whe nKe l s e ya s ke d f orar i de .J os hj us tt houghtIs houl dc omea l onga ndhe a rwha theha dt os a y. " Luc a sl ooke da tKe l s e y." Youme a nyouha dt hene r vet oa s kJ os ht ol e nd youac hoppe ra ndpi l ot ? " " Ha ge nha dt hene r ve , "Ke l s e ye xpl a i ne d,s ome wha ti ndi gna nt ." Sa i dhe wa sonat i ghtbudge t .Comeon,Luc ,youknow heha st hene r veofabur gl a r . AndJ os hc oul dha ves a i dno.I fyoupe opl ewoul dj us ts aynoaf e wt i me s ,Ha ge n mi ghtl e a veyoua l one . "Hemus e ds i l e nt l y,t he ns a i di nawi s t f ult one ," IhopeI ' m a r oundt ohe a ri t ,t hough. " " Whe r e ' st hebos s ? "Luc a sa s ke dRa f f e r t y. " Ne w Yor k. "Thel a wye rs hr ugge d." He ' st i e dupwi t ht ha tme r ge r .J e d' s ha ndl i ngi t .Mypa r t ne r , "hee xpl a i ne dt oKyl e ,whonodde d.Ra f f e r t yl ooke dba c k a tLuc a s ." Ra ve na ndSa r a ha r et r yi ngt of i ndouti fourf e de r a lf r i e ndha shi sus ua ll i t t l es ur pr i s ei ns t or ef oryou. " Luc a ss a tdowni na na r mc ha i ra ndl ooke da tKyl e ." Ra ve ni sJ os h' swi f e , " het ol dhe r ." She ' sa l s oKe l s e y' se xpa r t ne r .Sa r a hi sRa f f e r t y' swi f e ,a nds hec ur r e nt l ywor ksf orHa ge n' sa ge nc ydoi ngr e s e a r c h.Unl e s s —"Her e t ur ne daque s t i oni ngga z et ot hel a wye r . " He rl e a ves t a r t st hi swe e k, "Ra f f e r t yt ol dhi m." Theba by' sduene xt mont h. " Kyl el ooke da tt heme n,puz z l e d." I st hi sagr oupe f f or torwha t ? "

" The y' r el i ket ha t , "Ke l s e yt ol dhe ri nac onf i di ngt one ." Ac t ua l l yt he ywe r e r e c r ui t e dwhe nJ os hme tRa ve ni nt hemi ddl eofas t i c kyope r a t i on.Thi ngsj us t ki ndofs nowba l l e df r om t he r e .Thebot t om l i nei s ,Ha ge nf oundhi ms e l fa na l mos tunl i mi t e ds our c eofunpa i dma npowe r .He ' sbe e ndr a f t i ngt he s eguysonea t at i me ,butt he ya l lge ti nt ot hea c ts oone rorl a t e r . "Ke l s e ybl i nke d,t he nl ooke da t Luc a s ." Ime a ntt oa s k,i sZa c hs t i l lonhi shone ymoon? " " Suppos e dt obe . "Luc a sl i f t e da ne ye br owa tRa f f e r t y. " We l l. . . " " Hi mt oo, "Ke l s e ys a i d,uns ur pr i s e d. " Da mmi t ,Ra f f e r t y—" " He y,i t ' snotmyf a ul t , "Ra f f e r t ys a i ddr yl y." AndJ os hdi dn' tt e l lhi m.He a ndTe ddygotba c kt oNe wYor kye s t e r da y,a ndwhe nyouwe r e n' ta r ound,Za c h kne wyou' dbe e ndr a f t e d.He l l ,hee xpe c t e di t . " Luc a ss hookhi she a dbuts a i d," We l l ,t hi st i mei tc a nha r dl ybeagr oupe f f or t .Kyl ec a nge tmei nt oRome ' shous e ,butt her e s tofyou—"The nhel ooke da t he r ." Youknow,youne ve rs a i dyouwoul d. " I gnor i ngt hede e pe rque s t i oni nhi se ye s ,s hes a i dl i ght l y," I ' m ge t t i ngi nt r i gue d.So,whynot ? " Pl a i nt i ve l yKe l s e ys a i d," AndI ' l lha vet os kul ka r ounda sus ua l . " " Ont hee s t a t e ? "Luc a sa s ke dhi m,l ooki nga wa y,f r omKyl ewi t ha nobvi ous e f f or t ." Wha ta bout ,Rome ' ss e c ur i t y? " Mi l dl yof f e nde d,Ke l s e ys a i d," Youf or ge t .Unl i keyoua ma t e ur s ,Ia mapr of e s s i ona l .Hi ghl ys ki l l e da ndt r a i ne d.Wi t hye a r sofe xpe r i e nc e .Ic a npi c ka ny l oc k,di s a r ma nybomb,f i ne s s emywa yt hr ougha nys e c ur i t ys ys t e m.Myt a l e nt s a r eva s t ,mys t e a l t huns ur pa s s e d—" " Thi nkshe ' st heSha dow, "Ra f f e r t ymur mur e d. Fi ndi nghi ms e l ft hef oc usoff a s c i na t e de ye s ,Ke l s e ygr i nne ds udde nl ya nd de s c e nde dt onor ma l i t y." Andi fa l le l s ef a i l s , "hes a i dc he e r f ul l y," I ' l lj us ts hi nny ove rt hef e nc e . " Luc a ss t a r e da thi mf oramome nt ,t he ns a i ds us pi c i ous l y," J us twhy' dyou wa ntar i deouthe r e ,a nywa y? " Ke l s e yl i nke dhi sf i nge r st oge t he rove rhi sf l a ts t oma c ha ndl e a ne dba c k. l ooki ngi nnoc e nta ga i n." We l l ,Ha ge nj us tr e c e nt l yf oundane wbi tofi nf or ma t i onhet houghtyous houl dha ve .Sot ha tyou' dbef ul l ya wa r eofa l lr e l e va ntf a c t s i nt hec a s e , "hes a i dbl a ndl y. Luc a sl ooke da tRa f f e r t y." Di dRa ve na ndSa r a hf i ndouta nyt hi ngs ur pr i s i ng? " " J us tonet hi ng, "t hel a wye rmut t e r e d,wa t c hi ngKe l s e y. Ke l s e ya ppe a r e dhur t ." St ops t a r i nga tmel i keI ' mont hewi t ne s ss t a nd, "he t ol dRa f f e r t ys e ve r e l y." Idon' tknowwha tRa ve na ndSa r a hf oundout ,butHa ge n ha spr omi s e dt oc omec l e a nt hi st i me . " " Heus ua l l ydoe s n' t , "Luc a st ol dKyl e . " Ne v e rdoe s , "Ra f f e r t ya me nde d. " We l l ,t hi st i mehewi l l , "Ke l s e ys t a t e d.Hel ooke da tLuc a s ." Wha the f oundouti st ha tyouma yha vet ode a lwi t har a t he runpr e di c t a bl ec ha r a c t e ra t Rome ' se s t a t e .Shea ppe a r e dont hes c e nebe f or et hea r t wor kwa ss t ol e n,a nds he s e e mst oha veRomec ompl e t e l yunde rhe rt humb.Butweha venoi de awha t —i f a nyt hi ng—s heha st odowi t ht het he f t . " " Whoi ss he ? "Luc a sa s ke d. Fort hef i r s tt i meKe l s e ys e e me dhone s t l yunc omf or t a bl e ." We l l ,s hea ppa -

r e nt l yc l a i mst obear e i nc a r na t e dAz t e cpr i nc e s s . " Luc a sbl i nke d." Uhhuh. " " Is we a r . " Luc a sl ooke da tRa f f e r t y,a ndt hel a wye rnodde d," I t ' st r uee nough.Ca l l s he r s e l fPr i nc e s sZa ma r a .As ome wha tf l a mboya ntpe r s ona l i t y,t os a yt hel e a s t . " " It houghtRomewa ss uppos e dt obeaha r dhe a de dbus i ne s s ma n, "Luc a s s a i di ns ur pr i s e ." Youme a n,he ' sbuyi nghe ra c t ? " " Howd' youknowi t ' sa na c t ? "Ke l s e ya s ke d. Luc a ss t a r e da thi m. Ke l s e ygr i nne d." Al lt hewa yt ot heba nk, "hes a i d." He ' ss pe ntaf or t uneon t hewoma ni nj us taf e wwe e ks .Shes e e mst oha vec onvi nc e dhi mt ha thi sde s t i ny i st i e dt ot hef or t une soft heAz t e c s .Ors ome t hi ngl i ket ha t . " Luc a st ur ne dhi sga z et oKyl e ." Doe st ha ts oundl i keRome ? " " No,notr e a l l y.ButIha ve n' ts e e nhi mi ns i xmont hs . "Kyl et houghtf ora mome nt ,t he na dde ds l owl y," Hea l wa yss e e me dt oha veas t r ongbe l i e fi nf a t e , t hough.Anda f t e rhi sf i r s twi f edi e da boutf i veye a r sa go,r umorha di tt ha the wa sc ons ul t i ngme di umspr e t t yof t e n.St i l l ,Iwoul dn' tha ves a i dhe ' dbe l i e vei nr e i nc a r na t e dAz t e cpr i nc e s s e s . " Runni ngaha ndt hr oughhi st hi c k,s i l ve r yha i r ,Luc a smut t e r e d," How' sa l l t hi sgoi ngt oa f f e c tmyj ob? " " Be a t sme , "Ke l s e yr e pl i e d. Ra f f e r t ys t i r r e d." Za c hha di nf or ma t i onf oryou.Whe nwef oundouta bout t hi sZa ma r a ,her e me mbe r e dt ha tonepi e c eofa r t wor ks t ol e nwa sas ol i dgol dAz t e cde a t hma s k.AndSa r a hdi dal i t t l er e s e a r c h.I ts e e mst hi sma s ki ss uppos e dt o c onf e re nor mouspowe ronwhoe ve rownsi t .I tha squi t eahi s t or yt oo.Se ve r a l owne r s —i nc l udi ngt wowhos t ol ei t —a ma s s e dagr e a tde a lofwe a l t ha f t e ri tc a me i nt ot he i rpos s e s s i on.Butt hel a s towne rl os te ve r yt hi ngheha d,a ndt hema s k e nde dupi namus e um.Hewa sr umor e dt oha ves a i dt ha tt het hi ngwa sc ur s e d r a t he rt ha nbl e s s e d.I tga t he r e ddus ti nt hemus e um unt i lac oupl eofmont hsa go whe ni twa ss t ol e n,a l ongwi t hat r uc kl oa dofot he rpr i c e l e s sge msa nda r t wor k. " Forl ongmi nut e st heonl ys oundi nt hes ma l lc a bi nwa st hec r a c kl eoft he f i r e .The nLuc a ss i ghe da nds hookhi she a d." Idon' tbe l i e vei nc oi nc i de nc e , "he s a i d." Ha sa nyones ugge s t e dRomema yha vewa nt e dt ha tt r uc kl oa dofa r tj us tbe c a us et hema s kwa soneoft hepi e c e s ? " " I ts e e msi nc r e di bl e , "Kyl es a i d." Yout ol dmehe ' dpa i df ort hea r t wor k wi t has hi pme ntofi l l e ga la r ms .Tha ts oundsl i kea na wf ul l yc ompl i c a t e dwa yt o ge thi sha ndsont hema s k. " Ra f f e r t ys a i ddr yl y," We l l ,he r e ' st heki c ke r .Za c hf oundoutwhe r eRya n wa sbe i nghe l da ndwe ntt os e ehi mt hi smor ni ng.Rya n, "hea dde dt oKyl e ," wa s t her i ngl e a de roft hea r tt hi e ve s .Hea ndZa c hha vea nodds or tofe nmi t y.I fi t we r e n' tf orZa c ha ndhi sne wwi f e ,Te ddy,Rya nwoul dpr oba bl ys t i l lber unni ng a r oundl oos e ,buthet a l ke dt oZa c ht hi smor ni ng. " Mus i ngl yKe l s e ys a i d," Wer e a l l ys houl dus eZa c ht oi nt e r r oga t epr i s one r s mor eof t e n.Hes c a r e smewhe nhes mi l e s . " Luc a sga vehi ma ni mpa t i e ntl ook,t he na s ke dRa f f e r t y," Wha tdi dRya n s a y? " " Hes a i d—of ft her e c or d—t ha the ' dbe e nc ommi s s i one dt ot a kee ve r yt hi ng i nac e r t a i nr oomoft hemus e um.J us tf ort hehe l lofi t ,het ookmor e ,t he nuppe d hi spr i c e .Or i gi na l l yhewa ss uppos e dt obepa i di nc ol d,ha r dc a s h.Hede c i de dhe wa nt e dgunsi ns t e a da ndde ma nde dt he m. "

" Andgott he m? "Kyl ea s ke d.I nt r i gue d. " Ac t ua l l ywe ' v egott he m, "Ke l s e ya ns we r e da bs e nt l y." Tha nks ,Ir e gr e tt o s a y,t ot he s ec l owns . " " Is houl dha vel e f tyoui nj a i l , "Ra f f e r t yt ol dhi m. " Iwa s n' ti nj a i l .Iwa sbe i nghe l di nc ommuni c a doa sapol i t i c a lpr i s one r . " " I nar oomwi t hba r sont hewi ndows .Tha twa s n' tj a i l ? " " J us tahi ghl ys e c ur i t yc ons c i oushot e l . " Ra f f e r t ys a i ds ome t hi ngi mpol i t e . " Ca nwege tba c kt ot hepoi nt ,pl e a s e ? "Luc a sa s ke dwi t ha wf ulpa t i e nc e . " Gl a dl y. "Ke l s e yf r owne da thi m." Wha twa si t ? " Kyl ec hoke dba c kal a ugh.Si nc eLuc a ss e e me dt ooi r r i t a t e dt or e s pond,s he mur mur e d," Um,It hi nki twa st ha tMa r t i na ppa r e nt l ywa nt e dj us tt hema s k. " " We l l ,heke pti ta l l , "Ke l s e yt ol dt he m,s e r i ousa ga i n." Heha s n' tmove d a nyt hi ngl a r ge rt ha nhi sc a rke ysoutoft ha thous ei nwe e ks . " " Sur e ? "Ra f f e r t ya s ke d. Ke l s e ywi nc e d,a si ft hemi l dque s t i onha dj a bbe das or es pot ." Ye s ,da mmi t ,I ' ms ur e !Thr e ea ge nt sha veha dt hepl a c eunde rs ur ve i l l a nc ea r oundt he c l oc ks i nc et hes hi pme ntgott he r e . " " Don' tyout woge ts t a r t e da ga i n, "Luc a swa r ne dt heme n. I ns t a nt l yt r a ns f e r r i nghi sa t t e nt i ont ot hebl ondma n,Ke l s e ys a i d," You know,I ' vene ve rs e e nyoul i ket hi s ,Luc .Whol i c ke dt her e dof fyourc a ndy? " Kyl ec hoke donal a ugh. Ke l s e yl ooke da the r ." Ha veyoube e ni r r i t a t i ngourLuc a s ? "hea s ke d s t e r nl y." He ' sus ua l l ys uc hac he e r f uls oul . " " Da mmi t ,Ke l s e y! "Luc a ss na ppe d. Unde t e r r e d,Ke l s e ys a i dt oRa f f e r t y," You' veknownhi ml onge rt ha nIha ve . I si tt hemount a i na i r ,d' yout hi nk? " Wi t hawa r ye yeonhi sf umi ngf r i e nd,Ra f f e r t ys a i d," You' dc a r r yat or c hi nt oar oomf ul lofgunpowde r ,Ke l s e y.Kyl e ,t heonl yr e a lt a l e ntKe l s e yc a nc l a i m i st hea bi l i t yt oma kec of f e e .It hi nkwec oul da l lus es ome ,i fyouwoul dn' t mi nd? " " Ofc our s e . "Sher os ea ndl e dt hewa yi nt ot heki t c he n,c ur i ousbutabi t wa r yoft hes udde nunde r c ur r e nt si nt her oom. Whe nt he ywe r eoutofe a r s hot ,Luc a smur mur e d," Tha nks . " " Don' tme nt i oni t . "Ra f f e r t y' svoi c ewa se qua l l yl ow." He ' sr i ght ,t hough. Yous e e mal i t t l ef r a ye da r oundt hee dge s . " Luc a sdi dn' ts a ya nyt hi ngf oramome nt ,t he ns i ghe dabi tr oughl y." Eve r ha ves ome t hi ngf r omyourpa s tc omeba c kt oha untyou? " " Wea l lha ve ,It hi nk. "Hes t udi e dhi sf r i e nd' ss udde nl yha gga r df a c e ,t he n s a i ds of t l y," SoKyl e ' st heone .Ia l wa yst houghtt he r ewa ss ome oneyouc oul dn' t f or ge t . " Luc a sgr i ma c e d." Mygr e a tpoke rf a c e . " " No,notyourf a c e , "Ra f f e r t yt ol dhi m." Some t hi ngi nyoure ye s ,ma ybe . Thi si s n' tgoi ngt obee a s yf oryou,i si t ? " Ga z i ngof ft owa r dt heki t c he n,Luc a smur mur e d," Nomor et ha nIde s e r ve . " " Ca nIhe l p? " " No. "Hes hookhi she a d." Butt ha nks . " I nt heki t c he n,Kyl ef oundt ha ts hewa se nt i r e l yc omf or t a bl ewi t hKe l s e y,a s

i fs he ' dknownhi mf or e ve r .Andt ha t ,s hede c i de ds hr e wdl y,wa spr oba bl yapa r t oft hema n' se f f e c t i ve ne s sa sa na ge nt .Heha dt hei ns t i nc t i vekna c kofput t i ng pe opl ea te a s e ,whi c hma dehi sbe ha vi ort owa r dLuc a sa l lt hemor es ur pr i s i ng. " Doyoua l wa ysne e dl eLucl i ket ha t ? "s hea s ke d,t ooc ur i oust oa voi dt he s ubj e c t . Ke l s e ywa sme a s ur i ngc of f e ei nt ot hepe r c ol a t ora nddi dn' ta ns we runt i lhe ' d f i ni s he d.The nhel e a ne dba c ka ga i ns tt hec ount e ra nds mi l e da the r ." Who,me ?I wa sj us tma ki nga nobs e r va t i on. " Sher e a l i z e dqui t es udde nl yt ha tde s pi t ehi sc he e r f ulde me a nora ndhi smi s c hi e vouspe r s ona l i t y,t hi sma nwa sda nge r ous .Shewa s n' ta f r a i dofhi mbutbe ga n t of e e labi twa r ybe c a us eapa r tofhi sda nge r ,s hede c i de d,l a yi npe r c e pt i ve ne s s . Sheha dt heune a s yf e e l i ngt ha thes a wpe opl emuc hmor ec l e a r l yt ha nt he ywoul d f i nda ta l lc omf or t a bl e —i nc l udi nghe r s e l f . " I ' mha r ml e s s , "Ke l s e ymur mur e d. Kyl es t a r t e d,t he nma na ge dt ohi dehe rs ur pr i s e ." Tha ti s n' tt hewor dIwoul d ha vec hos e n, "s hes a i ds l owl y. Hema deas l i ghtgr i ma c e ,abi twr ybutot he r wi s ec r ypt i c ." Ma ybenot . Doe s n' tf i tyou,e i t he r .You' vegotpoorLuc a st i e dupi nknot s . " Shes t i f f e ne d." Tha ti s n' tyourbus i ne s s . " Cool l yhes a i d," I ' m agove r nme nta ge nt ,Mi s sGr i f f on,a ndIt a kemyj ob ve r ys e r i ous l y.Idomyhome wor k. " " Me a ni ng? " " Me a ni ngt ha tIknow ve r ywe l lyoua ndLucha veahi s t or y.Now,t ha ti s noneofmybus i ne s s ,e xc e ptwhe r et hi sa s s i gnme nti sc onc e r ne d.The r e ' sj us tone t hi ngIwa nt e dyout obea wa r eof .Hepr oba bl yma dei ts ounds i mpl e ,butf orLuc t ogoi nt oRome ' shous ei sonehe l lofar i s kypr opos i t i on.I fRomef i ndsoutwho hei sa ndwha the ' sdoi ngt he r e ,t hi ngsa r el i a bl et oge tj us tal i t t l eugl y. " Qui t es udde nl yKyl ef e l tc ol d." Wha tdoyoume a n? " " Hec oul dge tki l l e d. " " Ma r t i n' sc i vi l i z e d, "s heobj e c t e di ns t a nt l y." Hewoul dn' tki l lama nj us t l i ke —" " Heha sbe f or e . " Shes t a r e da thi m. Ke l s e ynodde d." Oh,ye s .Wec a n' tpr ovei ti nc our t ,youunde r s t a nd—no e vi de nc e .Andhedi dn' tdi r t yhi sownha ndswi t hmur de r ;heha di tdone ,whi c h, t omymi nd,i st hes a mea spul l i ngt het r i gge rhi ms e l f . " " Whydi dyout e l lme ? "s hea s ke da f t e ramome nt . " Be c a us eIkne wLucwoul dn' t . " " Doe sheknow? " " Ofc our s ehedoe s . "Ke l s e ys mi l e dj us tal i t t l e ,buthi se ye swe r es t e a dy. " He ' sve r ypr ot e c t i veoft hos ehec a r e sa bout —a ndunc ommonl yga l l a nta boutl a di e s .He ' l ls pa r eyout heha r s hr e a l i t i e swhe ne ve rpos s i bl e . " Hedi dn' tbe f or e ,s het hought .Orha dhe ?Shej us tdi dn' tknow a nymor e . Ti ght l ys hes a i d," Idon' tne e dpr ot e c t i onorc hi va l r y. " " No,Idi dn' tt hi nkyoudi d. "Hi svoi c ewa squi t ec oola ndc a l m." Unl i ke Luc ,I ' veha dt hegr e a tgoodf or t unet owor kwi t hanumbe rofwome ni nda nge r ouss i t ua t i onsove rt heye a r s ,a ndI ' vel e a r ne dt ha tt oughne s sc ome si na l ls ha pe s a nds i z e s .Yous e e ,Iha ppe nt obe l i e veyou' l lbeagr e a t e rhe l pt ohi mi fyouknow j us twha the ' si nvol ve di n. " " SonowIknow. "

" Nowyouknow.Youdon' te nt i r e l ybe l i e vemea boutRome ,ofc our s e ,but you' l lbemor ea l e r tt ha nyouwoul dot he r wi s eha vebe e n,a ndt ha ta l wa ysc ount s f ors ome t hi ng. " Shel ooke da thi m,al i t t l epuz z l e d." Andyoudon' tt hi nk—be c a us eofwha tI ma ybe l i e venow— t ha tI ' l la l e r tMa r t i nt ha ts ome t hi ng' swr ongbybe ha vi ngdi f f e r e nt l yt owa r dhi m? " " He l l ,no. "Ve r ydr yl yhee xpl a i ne d," I tdi dn' tt a kemef i vemi nut e st or e a l i z eyoudon' tgi vea wa ya nyt hi ng. " Kyl ec oul dn' tpr ot e s tt ha t ,a smuc ha ss hewa nt e dt o.Andt houghs hedi dn' t a s kKe l s e y,s heha dt owonde ri fs hea ppe a r e da sf r oz e na ss hef e l t .I twa s n' ta ni c et hought .I twa s n' tani c ef e e l i ng. " Il i keyourf r i e nds , "s het ol dLuc a sl a t et ha ta f t e r noonwhe nt heot he rt wo ha dgone .Shes a twa t c hi nghi ma shekne l ta tt hehe a r t hbui l di ngupt hef i r e . " Doyou? "Her e ma i ne dwhe r ehewa s ,br us hi nghi sha ndst oge t he ra ndga z i nga tt hef l a me s . " The ys e e ma st hought he y' r eve r yunus ua lme n. " Luc a sr os ebutc ont i nue dt oga z ei nt ot hef i r e .Hes e e me df a ra wa y. " Sodoyou, "s hea dde d. Het ur ne dhi she a dt ol ooka the ra ndhi smout ht wi s t e d." Webot hknow wha tyout hi nkofme . " " No,wedon' t ,notr e a l l y.Whydi dn' tyout e l lmet ha tMa r t i nwa sda nge r ous , Luc ? " Hedi dn' ts a ya nyt hi ngf oramome nt ,j us tc ont i nue dt ol ooka the r ." Ke l s e y, "hemut t e r e df i na l l y. " Youwoul dn' tha vet ol dme .Hekne wt ha t .Het houghtIs houl dbepr e pa r e d,a ndhewa sr i ght . " " The r ewa snone e df oryout oknow. "Luc a sr e t ur ne dhi sga z et ot hef i r e , f r owni ng. Abr upt l ys hea s ke d," Whydi dyouha vemyf a t he rs e ndmet oEur ope ,Luc ? " " Wha tma ke syout hi nkIdi d?Idon' tknowyourf a t he r . " " AndJ os hLongdoe s n' tknowme .He ' ss ome t hi ngofahuma ni t a r i a n,Ihe a r , butt e nye a r sa gohewa sa l s oapl a yboy.Sowhydi dhec onc e r nhi ms e l ft he nwi t h as e ve nt e e nye a r ol dgi r lhe ' dne ve rme t ?Unl e s ss ome onea s ke dhi mt o. " Af t e ramome ntLuc a ss a i d," J os hi sagoodf r i e nd.Hedi dn' tknowmeve r y we l la tt ha tt i me ,buthedi dn' ta s kque s t i ons . " Shehe a r dt het a c i ta dmi s s i ona nds i ghe d." Di dyouwa nta noc e a nbe t we e n us ,Luc ,wa st ha ti t ? " Hec l os e dhi se ye sbr i e f l y." Iwa nt e dyouof ft ha tc a mpus ,a wa yf r om t he dr ugs . " Kyl et houghta boutt ha tf oramome nt .Heha dl e f the rt opr e s e r vea ni l l us i onbe t we e nt he m,a ndye theha ddonehi sbe s tt opr ot e c the r .Heha dde s t r oye d e vi de nc et ha twoul dha vet a ke nhe rt oc our t ,i fnott oj a i l ,ha dha dhe rs e ntf a r a wa yt oas c hoolwhe r edr ugswe r emor er a r et ha ndi nos a ur s .I ts e e me dac ont r a di c t i oni nc ha r a c t e r ,a ndye ts hef e l ti twa s n' t . " Idon' tunde r s t a ndyou, "s hes a i d. " Doyouwa ntt o? " " Ia l r e a dy—" " Iknowwha tyous a i d. "

Sheme thi ss t e a dyga z e ,he rownunwa ve r i ng." Ime a nti t .Idowa ntt o unde r s t a ndyou.Iha vet o,Luc ,ort hepa s twi l lne ve rbe —we l l ,j us tt hepa s t . " Henodde d,buts hec oul dn' tt e l lf r om hi se xpr e s s i onwha thewa st hi nki ng orf e e l i ng.Hes mi l e ds udde nl y,t ha tf a i nt l yc r ooke d,c ha r mi ngs mi l es her e me mbe r e ds owe l l ." The nwegoonf r omt he r e ,don' twe ? " " Igue s swedo. " I twa st woda ysbe f or es hebe ga nt of e e lmor ena t ur a la r oundLuc a s .She kne whewa sa wa r eofhe rgua r de dne s s ,j us ta ss hewa sa wa r et ha thewa t c he dhe r of t e n.Butgr a dua l l ys hebe ga nt of e e ll e s st e ns e .I twoul dha vebe e nt oomuc ht o s a yt ha ts hef or gothe rwounds ,butt hepa s ts e e me dt ober e t r e a t i ngi ni mpor t a nc e ,da ybyda y. Thes i t ua t i onwa she l pe di npa r tbyhe rpr e oc c upa t i onwi t hdi s c ove r i ngj us t whoLuc a sKe ndr i c kr e a l l ywa s .I ns t i nc tt ol dhe rhewa sagoodma n,wha t e ve r ha dmot i va t e dhi mi nt hepa s t ,buts hef oundi tdi f f i c ul tt ot r us the ri ns t i nc t s whe r ehewa sc onc e r ne d.Sos hewa t c he dhi m,a s ke dque s t i ons ,a ndl i s t e ne d. He ronel e ga c yf r omhe rf a t he r ,gi ve nt ohe ri nt hec hi l dhoodda yswhe ns he ha dt r i e dt owi nhi sa f f e c t i on,wa sa na bi l i t yt ounde r s t a nda ndpl a yc he s s ,a nd s her e c a l l e dt ha the rf a t he rha dof t e ns a i dama n' sc he s sga mes pokemuc ha bout t heki ndofma nher e a l l ywa s .Sos hepl a ye dc he s swi t hLuc a s ,uns ur pr i s e dt o f i ndt ha thedi dpl a y,a ndpl a ye dwe l l . Heha das t r ongi ns t i nc t i vegr a s poft a c t i c s ,s hedi s c ove r e d,a ndt hea bi l i t y t oma kes e e mi ngl yr e c kl e s si nt ui t i vel e a psvi r t ua l l ygua r a nt e e dt ot a kehi soppone ntof fgua r d.Hewa sagr a c i ouswi nne r ,ac he e r f ull os e r . I nt hef ol l owi ngda yss hef oundoutot he rt hi ngsa bouthi m.Hedi dn' tmi nd s i l e nc e .Hee nj oye dwa l ki ngi nt hel i ghtc ove r i ngofs now,c hoppi ngwood,l i s t e ni ngt omus i c .Hec oul dc ook,a nddi d,a ndhedi dmor et ha nhi ss ha r et ohe l pke e p t hec a bi nne a t .Hec oul ds t a nds os t i l ls ome t i me st ha tawi l dbi r dwoul da l i ghta nd e a tbr e a dc r umbsf r omhi sha ndwi t hpe r f e c tt r us t . Heha dni ght ma r e s . Kyl ea woket wi c et ha tf i r s twe e k,he a r i ngmut t e r sa ndmuf f l e dgr oa nsf r om downs t a i r s ,he a r i nghi mt os sa ndt ur nont he c ouc h.Thes oundsha unt e dhe r ,di s t ur be dhe rde e pl y.Buts hedi dn' tgot ohi mt he na nds a i dnot hi nga boutwha ts he ha dhe a r d. Thet hi r dt i me ,ha l f wa yt hr ought he i rs e c ondwe e kt oge t he r ,s hedi dgot o hi m. Thef i r s tr a s pi nggr oa nwokehe r ,a nds hewa soutofhe rbe da ndmovi ng l i ght l ydownt hes t a i r sbe f or es heha dt i met ot hi nkorque s t i onhe ra c t i on.She he s i t a t e df orj us tamome nta tt hebot t omoft hes t a i r s ,wonde r i ngwhys heha dt o dot hi s . Ther oom wa sdi m,l i ght e donl ybyt hedyi ngf l a me si nt hehe a r t h,a ndout s i det hewi ndwhi ne dwi t hal one l y,f r e t f uls ound.Kyl ebi the rl i p,unde c i de d,a nd woul dha ver e t ur ne dt ohe rbe dbutf ort hes of t ,uns t e a dygr oa nt ha tr e a c he dhe r e a r st he n.Shec r os s e dt her oom onqui c k,ba r ef e e t ,a ndkne l tont her ugbe s i de t hec ouc h. A ha l f bur ne dl ogbr okea pa r ti nt hehe a r t hj us tt he nwi t has howe rof s pa r ks ,a ndt hef l a me sj umpe dhi ghe r .Shec oul ds e eLuc a smor ec l e a r l y.Thec ove r sha df a l l e nt ohi swa i s t ,l e a vi nghi smus c l e dc he s tba r e ,a ndhi sbodywa ss o t e ns e ,i tt r e mbl e ds l i ght l y.A f i nes he e nofs we a tbe a de dhi sf a c e .Onef or e a r m

wa st hr owna c r os shi se ye s ,f i s tc l e nc he d;hi sot he ra r ml a ya thi ss i de ,a ndhi s f i nge r she l dt hec ove r si nawhi t e knuc kl e dgr i p.Hi st hr oa twor ke da si fs ounds orwor dsors omeda r kne s si ns i dehi ms t r uggl e dt oe s c a pe ,butonl yt hel ow gr oa nswe r er e l e a s e df r omhi ss l e e pi ngpr i s on. Kyl el ooke da tt hes t r ongha ndgr i ppi ngt hebl a nke t s ,t he nhe s i t a nt l yc ove r e di twi t honeofhe rown.I tf e l tl i kei r on,s het hought ,bur ni ngi r on,a ndf e e l i ng t ha tma dehe rhur toddl y.Shebe ntc l os e r ,unc e r t a i nbutdr i ve n,unwi l l i ngt oa l l ow hi mt ogot hr oughwha t e ve rt hi swa sa l la l one . " Luc ?Luc ,wa keup, "s hes a i ds of t l y. " Be hi ndt hebui l di ng, "hemut t e r e ds udde nl y,ur ge nt l y." Her a nbe hi nd— Oh,de a rLor d!Thedumps t e r .Hej us tt hr e w he ri nt he r e .Whyc an' tIs t opt hi s ? Whyc a n' tI —" " Luc ,wa keup! " Hej e r ke ds udde nl y,a ndhi sha ndt ur ne dbe ne a t hhe r s ,l ongf i nge r sc l os i ng t i ght l ya r oundhe r s .Hewa ss t i l lf oramome nt ,a ndt he nt hea r m ove rhi se ye s l owe r e d.Hel ooke da the r ,di s or i e nt e d." Youa r e n' tapa r toft ha t , "hes a i dt hi c kl y. " Luc ,i t ' sj us tadr e a m, "s hewhi s pe r e d. Hi se ye sc l e a r e ds l owl ybutc ont i nue dt omoveove rhe rf a c ea l mos ts e a r c hi ngl y." No.No,i tha ppe ne d.I tha ppe ne da ndIc oul dn' tc ha ngei t . " " The nt e l lmea bouti t . " Het or ehi sga z ef r om he rf a c e ,s t a r i nga tt hebe a me dc e i l i ng.Af t e ramome nthes a i d," I twa st hef i r s tt i me .Is uppos ea f t e rt ha t —Godhe l pme —Igot us e dt oi t .The r ewa sawoma n—aki d,r e a l l y— bus t e df orpos s e s s i on.TheD. A. pr omi s e dt ogoe a s yonhe ri fs he ' dgi veushe rs uppl i e r .Shea gr e e d.Buthef ound t hewi r e ,a ndwewe r et oof a rba c kt ohe l phe r .We. . .f oundhe ri naga r ba ge dumps t e r .Heha ds t a bbe dhe r . " Kyl e ' ss ur f a c er e c kl e s s ne s sha dt a ke nhe ri nt os omewi l dpl a c e st he s el a s t ye a r s ,butwha thewa st e l l i nghe ra boutwa sapa r tofl i f es heha dnoe xpe r i e nc e of ,e xc e pti nf i c t i ona ndc ool l yr e por t e dne wss t or i e s .Shef e l tal i t t l ehe l pl e s s , ove r whe l me dbyt hepa i ns hehe a r d." Luc ,i twa syourj ob. " " I twa sawa rofa t t r i t i on, "hes a i dbi t t e r l y." Butt hepr obl e m wa s ,t heot he r s i deke ptongr owi ng.Four t e e nye a r ol dpus he r s ,t we l ve ye a r ol dpr os t i t ut e s , pi mpswho' dki l loneoft he i rgi r l swi t houtas e c ondt houghtbe c a us et he r ewe r e a l wa ysmor es oe a s i l yf ound. " Kyl ewa ss i l e nt . " The r ewa snowa yt oma keadi f f e r e nc e , "hewe ntonqui e t l y.Hepul l e dhe r ha ndove rt or e s tonhi sf l a ts t oma c h,hol di ngi twi t hbot hhi sowna ndl ooki nga t i t ." Ma ybeIc oul dha veke ptont r yi ng,Idon' tknow.Butt ooof t e nI ' dbet ol dt o s t opnos i nga r oundac e r t a i npa r t y.Some bodyr i c he nough,orpowe r f ule nough, t oha vef r i e ndsi nt hede pa r t me nt .Tooma nype opl epl a yi ngt ooma nyga me s .I c oul dn' tt a ket ha t . " " Noonec oul dbl a meyou, "s heve nt ur e dhe s i t a nt l y. Hewa st oyi ngwi t hhe rf i nge r s ,s t r oki nghe rs ki na si ft het e xt ur edr e whi m i r r e s i s t i bl y." Fe e tofc l a y, "hemur mur e d." Ic oul dn' tbet hewhi t ekni ght ,s oIj us t qui t . " " Don' tdot hi st oyour s e l f . " Hi smout ht wi s t e dal i t t l e ." I tne ve rbot he r e dmes omuc hbe f or e .The nI s a w youa ga i na ndha dt of a c eupt owhyIl e f tyou.Andnow I ' m dr e a mi ngof t hi ngsIs a wa l lt hos eye a r sa goa ndwonde r i nghowIc a nl i vewi t hmys e l f . " Kyl es e a r c he df ors ome t hi ngt os a yt ohi ma ndf oundi t ." Luc ,yout ol dme

a boutt hewor kyoudof orLongEnt e r pr i s e s .You' r ehe l pi ngpe opl enow whe r e youc anma keadi f f e r e nc e .Youhe l pke e pa l lt hos ec ompa ni e sr unni ngbyi nve s t i ga t i ngpr obl e ms .Youa ndyourf r i e ndshe l pe dde s t r oyawhi t es l a ve r yr i ng, br oughti nf or ma t i ona ga i ns tt e r r or i s t soutofahos t i l ec ount r y,a nds t oppe dt ha t guns hi pme ntbe f or ei tc oul dbeus e dt ohur tpe opl e .Andnowyou' r ea boutt ogo i nt oahous ea ndf i nds t ol e na r t wor k.Youar ehe l pi ng.The r ea r eove rha l fami l l i onpol i c eof f i c e r si nt hi sc ount r y;you' r edoi ngt hi ngst he yc a n' tdo. " Af t e ramome nthet ur ne dhi she a dt ol ooka the ra nds mi l e dal i t t l e ,as mi l e t ha tma dehi mvul ne r a bl e ." Youga vemeawonde r f ulI l l us i ont e nye a r sa gowhe n Ir e a l l yne e de done , "hes a i dhus ki l y." ButIdon' tt hi nkIc oul ds t a ndi ti fyou ga vemea not he ronenow,Kyl e . " " Idon' tdot ha ta nymor e , "s hes a i d,he rownvoi c euns t e a dy." Al lIc a ngi ve younowi sapi c t ur eofar e a ll i vema n.OneI ' vet a l ke dt oa ndwa t c he dt he s epa s t da ys .Ane xt r e me l ybr i ght ,i nt r i c a t ema n,wi t hmor ef a c e t st ha nadi a mond. "She dr e w ade e pbr e a t ha ndme thi ss hi mme r i ngga z es qua r e l y." Idon' tknow how I f e e la boutwha t ' sbe hi ndus .Butt he r ei ss ome t hi ngIknownowa boutyou,Luc . " Oneofhi sha ndsmove dt obr us has t r a ndofda r kha i ra wa yf r om he rf a c e , hi sf i nge r sl i nge r i ngonhe rc he e k." Wha t ' st ha t ? " " The r ei s n' tas e l f i s hordi s hone s tbonei nyourbody, "s hes a i dwi t hc e r t a i n knowl e dge ." Whe nyour e a l i z e dyour s e l fwhyyou' dl e f tme ,youdi dn' tha vet o t e l lme .Butyoudi d.AndIs e enowt ha tyouc oul dn' tbehone s twi t hmet he n,f i r s t be c a us eyouwe r eunde r c ove ra ndl a t e rbe c a us eoft hewa yIwa s .Thewa ywe we r e .Youwe r ei nat e r r i bl epos i t i on.AndIbe l i e veIunde r s t a ndwhyyoul e f t . " " Youdo? "hea s ke dge nt l y. He rl a ughwa ss ha ky,a l mos ti na udi bl e ." I ' mnotpa i nt i ngyounobl ea ga i n,I pr omi s e .AndIs t i l ldon' tknowhowIf e e la boutyounow.Butwewe r ebot he s c a pi ngi nt oI l l us i on,It hi nk.We ' dbot hf e l tt hi ngswedi dn' twa ntt of e e la nymor e . YouI nyourj oba ndme. . . " " Yourf a mi l y? " " Poorl i t t l er i c hgi r l , "s hes a i dwr yl y,moc ki nghe r s e l f . " Don' tdot ha t . "Hi sha nds l i dbe ne a t hhe rha i rt ol i ewa r ml ya ga i ns the r ne c k." Don' tt hi nki t ' syourf a ul ti na nywa y,t ha tyous houl dha vebe e nha ppyj us t be c a us eyouha da l lt hes oc a l l e da dva nt a ge s .Ma t e r i a lt hi ngsa r ene ve re nough. " Hepul l e dhe rt owa r dhi ma ndki s s e dhe r ,age nt l eki s swi t hnopa s s i ona t e de ma nd.The nhehe l dhe rt he r e ,a ga i ns thi m,wa t c hi ngt hef i r e l i ghts hi mme rof f he rs i l kpa j a ma sa nda wa ke nt her e dt i nti nhe rda r kha i r . Kyl ec oul df e e lt r e mor sde e pi ns i dehe r ,c i r c l i ngout wa r ds l owl y,l i ker i ppl e si napool .Shedi dn' tknowwha tha dc a us e dt he ma nddi dn' tc a r e .Thewi nd whi ne dout s i de ,moa ni nga r oundt hee a ve s ,s t i r r i ngt hepor c hs wi ngs ot ha tt he c ha i nsc r e a ke d.Shehe a r de ve r ys oundmor ec l e a r l yt ha ne ve rbe f or e . Ands hec oul ds e ea wa r e ne s sf l i c ke r i ngi nhi se ye s .I twa sa si fs ome t hi ng we r emovi ngwi t hhus he df or c ei ns i debot hoft he m,s l owl ya ndi ne xor a bl y.Fa s c i na t e d,s hewa t c he dhi sf a c ec ha nges ubt l y,be c omel e a ne r ,t a ut e r .Shef e l tt ha t ge nt l eha ndonhe rne c kt i ght e nal i t t l e ,a ndunde r ne a t hhe rownha ndhi ss t oma c h t e ns e d. Ve r ys of t l yhes a i d," Kyl e ,goba c kups t a i r s . " " Why? "s hea s ke dhus ki l y. Hes e e me dt obeha vi ngt r oubl ebr e a t hi ng,buthi svoi c ewa ss t e a dy." Be c a us eIl oveyou. " Kyl es l owl yr os et ohe rf e e t ,c ompe l l e dbys ome t hi ngi nhi se ye sorhi s

voi c e ,orbot h.Shet ur ne da wa ya ndwe nts i l e nt l yba c kupt hes t a i r s ,s l i di ngi nt o he rbe da nddr a wi ngt hec ove r sup.Shel a yt he r ef oral ongt i mewi t hhe re ye s f i xe dont heda r kc e i l i ng,l i s t e ni ngt ot hewi ndout s i de .Andt hi nki ng. Wha twoul dt he yha vel os ti ft he yha dbe c omel ove r sa ga i nt oni ght ?Kyl e wa s n' ts ur e ,buts hekne wLuc a st houghthewa s ,a ndt ha twa swhyheha ds e nthe r ba c kt obe da l one .Wha twa si t ?Ane wa ndf r a gi l et hr e a doft r us tbe t we e nt he m? Ade l i c a t ebondf or ge di nt hequi e t ,s oul ba r i ngmome nt sa f t e rani ght ma r e ? Kyl et ur ne dove ronhe rs i dea ndc l os e dhe re ye s ,ha r dl ya wa r et ha ts hewa s s mi l i ng. Four " Idon' tt r us tyou, "Ke l s e yt ol dhi sbos sr oundl y." You' r ej us ta c t i ngt oo da mne ds t r a i ght f or wa r d. " Ha ge n,s i t t i ngbe hi ndade s kt ha the l dnot hi ngbutat hi ns he a fofpa pe r sa nd at e l e phonewi t hs e ve r a ll i ne s ,l ooke dupt os mi l ea nge l i c a l l y." Youha veas us pi c i ousmi nd,myboy. " Ke l s e ys a l ut e dhi m moc ki ngl y." Le a r ne da tt hema s t e r ' skne e . "Hel e a ne d ba c ki nt hes i ngl evi s i t or ' sc ha i ri nt her ooma nds t a r e dbr oodi ngl ya tHa ge n." As f a ra sIc a nt e l l ,you' vebe e nc ompl e t e l ys t r a i ghtwi t hLuc a s .Sowha tgi ve s ? " " Not hi nga ta l l ,Ia s s ur eyou. "Ha ge nf e i gne dhumi l i t y—s ome t hi nghedi dn' t dot oowe l l ." Ke ndr i c kde s e r ve sa l lt hef a c t s ;Ime r e l ys uppl i e dt he m. " " Uhhuh. "Ke l s e ypoi nt e da tt hes he a fofpa pe r sont hede s k." J us toutofc ur i os i t y,whos ei de awa si tt ha tJ os hi nnoc e nt l yc a l lRomet oi nqui r ea boutt hepos s i bi l i t yofbuyi ngt ha tRube nsa nds ubs e que nt l yt r yt oge thi ms e l fi nvi t e dt ot he pa r t y? " " Hi s .Ands ounds t r a t e gy,Imus ta dmi t .Hi si nt e r e s ti nt hepa i nt i ngi squi t e r e a l ;he ' sknownt oa c qui r ea nyt hi ngbyRube nst ha tbe c ome sa va i l a bl e .And,of c our s e ,i twa sagoodt hi nghegoti nvi t e dt ot hepa r t y.Shoul dRomebes us pi c i ous ,hewi l lke e pas ha r pe yeonLong. " " Le a vi ngLucf r e et os e a r c hf ort hes t ol e na r t ? "Ke l s e yke pthi sga z ef i xe d t hought f ul l yont her e vi s e dgue s tl i s tf orMa r t i nRome ' spa r t y. " Tha ti st hepl a n, "Ha ge nt ol dhi m. " Andyoudon' tt hi nkRomewi l lpa ni ca ndmovet hes t uf fbe c a us eheknows J os hi sc omi ng? " " Note nought i me .Andi fhedoe sa t t e mptt omovet hea r t wor k,we ' l lha ve hi mde a dt or i ght s . " Ke l s e yl i f t e dhi se ye st oHa ge n' sc he r ubi cf a c e ." Ani c e ,s i mpl epl a n.Imus t bea s l e e pa nddr e a mi ng. " " Whydon' tyougoa ndc a l lKe ndr i c k, "Ha ge ns ugge s t e d." Hes houl dbet ol d t ha tLonga ndRa ve nwi l la t t e ndt hepa r t y.Al s o,youmus ta r r a ngeyourni ght l y r e nde z vouswi t ht hel a dya ndhi m.AHt hos el i t t l ede t a i l st owor kout ,myboy. " Ri s i ngs l owl y,Ke l s e yf r owne da thi sbos s ." Youmi s s e dt hehuma ne l e me nt a ga i n, "her e mi nde dhi mwi t hac e r t a i ns a t i s f a c t i on." Wha t e ve rha ppe ne dbe t we e n Luca ndKyl eye a r sa go,I ' ds a yt he y' r ebus yme ndi ngf e nc e snow. " Cool l yHa ge ns a i d," Ane nt i r e l ya nt i c i pa t e dde ve l opme nt . " Ke l s e ybl i nke d." Youme a nt hi st i meyoude l i be r a t e l ys e tt hes c e nef orar oma nc e ? " " Ce r t a i nl y. " Af t e ramome ntKe l s e ya s ke d," Youde c i de dt os t opma t c hma ki ngbya c c i -

de nta nddoi tonpur pos e ? " Ma dde ni ngl yi mpe r vi oust ohi sa ge nt ' ss ur pr i s e ,Ha ge nme r e l ynodde d. " Why? " " Tof i ndoutI fIc oul d. " Ke l s e ybl i nke da ga i n." Oh. "Het ur ne da ndwe ntt ot hedoor ,t he ns wung a r oundt of r owna thi sbos s ." Ar eyouf e e l i nga l lr i ght ? "hea s ke d. " I ' mf i ne .Goc a l lKe ndr i c k. " Whe nhi sba f f l e da ge ntha df i na l l yva ni s he d,Ha ge nl e a ne dba c ki nhi sc ha i r a ndl a ughe ds of t l y.Eve r yge ne r a lkne w how e f f e c t i vet hee l e me ntofs ur pr i s e c oul dbe ,a f t e ra l l .Le tt he mwonde ra ndl ookove rt he i rs houl de r sf orhi sc us t oma r ys ur pr i s e .The ywoul dl ooki nva i n,het houghtha ppi l y.Andt ha twoul dbet he s ur pr i s e .I twoul dke e pt he ma l lont he i rt oe s . Ha ge ne nj oye dke e pi nghi sa ge nt sont he i rt oe s . Kyl eunpa c ke di nt hel uxur i ousr oom s heha dbe e ngi ve ni nMa r t i nRome ' s pa l a t i a lhous ej us tout s i dePhi l a de l phi a ,ha vi ngpol i t e l yr e f us e dt hea s s i s t a nc eof ama i d;t he r ewe r es omet hi ngss hepr e f e r r e dt odof orhe r s e l f .Shemove da r ound t her oombr i s kl y,s pe c ul a t i ngonva r i oust hi ngs ,a ndwa s n' ts ur pr i s e dwhe nLuc a s s pokef r omt hec onne c t i ngdoort ohi sr oom. " I st hi sa r r a nge me nts uppos e dt obedi s c r e e t ? " Shes mi l e dal i t t l ea ss hes t oodbe f or et hedr e s s i ngt a bl e ,wa t c hi nghi mi n t hemi r r ora ss her e move dt hepi nsf r omhe rha i r ." Mor edi s c r e e t ,Is uppos e ,t ha n gi vi ngusas i ngl er oomorl e t t i nguss ne a ki nt oe a c hot he r ' st hr ought heha l li nt he de a dofni ght .Ma r t i nobvi ous l ya s s ume swewoul dn' tha ves hownupt oge t he ri f wedi dn' twa ntt obet oge t he r . " Luc a sl e a ne da ga i ns tt hedoor j a mb,wa t c hi nghe rda r kha i rt umbl edown a r oundhe rs houl de r s .Abs e nt l yhes a i d," We l l ,Romedi dn' ts e e mt ooups e twhe n youa r r i ve dwi t hme .Thi nkt hi smys t e r i ousZa ma r aha sc a pt ur e dhi she a r ta swe l l a shi smi nd? " " We ' l lha vet owa i ta nds e e .Shemi ghtwe l lbe' i ndi s pos e d'a tt hemome nt a nduna bl et ogr e e tgue s t s ,butI ' mbe t t i ngs he ' sgoi ngt oma keas ui t a bl ydr a ma t i c e nt r a nc et oni ght . "Kyl et ur ne dt of a c ehi m,l e a ni ngba c ka ga i ns tt hedr e s s e r . " Whe na r eMr .Longa ndhi swi f ea r r i vi ng? " " Al i t t l el a t e r ,It hi nk.Ke l s e ywa s n' ts ur e .J us tr e me mbe ryoua r es uppos e d t oknowJ os h—a ndi nt r oduc eus . " " DoIknowhi swi f e ? "s hea s ke ddr yl y. Luc a ss mi l e da the r ." Ye s ,youknowRa ve n.Romes houl dn' tt hi nkt ha todd a ta l l .J os ha ndRa ve nwi l lbede l i ght e dt os e eyoua ga i n,a ndI ' l lbeme r e l yyour e s c or t . " " Andl ove r , "s hemur mur e d.Be f or ehec oul dr e s pond,s hewe ntonc a l ml y. " Yourba c kgr oundi st ha tyou' r ef r om aWe s tCoa s tf a mi l yi nt hewi nebus i ne s s , weme tonas ki i nghol i da ya tAs pe n,a ndyous we ptmeof fmyf e e t . " " Pr e c i s e l y. " " So.Whe ndowes t a r ts e a r c hi ng? " " Kyl e ,we ' vebe e nt hr ought hi sbe —" " AndIs a ymywa yma ke smor es e ns e .Luc ,i fyou' r ec a ughts kul ki ng t hr ought hehous eonyourown,i t ' l ll ooks us pi c i ous .Asi fyouwe r ec a s i ngt he j oi nt ,a tt heve r yl e a s t .I fI ' m wi t hyou,wec a na l wa ysgi vet hea ppe a r a nc ewe we r eove r whe l me dbypa s s i ona ndha dt of i ndada r kc or ne rt one c ki n. "

" Don' tt e mptme . " Kyl es l owl yc r os s e dt her oom t os t a ndbe f or ehi m." Ma ybeIwa ntt o.Wha t ha ppe nsonMonda y,Luc ? " Hel ooke ddowna the r ,t hi nki ngoft hepa s tda yswhe nbot hha dbe e ns o c a r e f ulnott odi s t ur bt hef r a gi l eha r monybe t we e nt he m.Andhef e l tt het hr obbi nga c het ha twa sa l wa yswi t hhi m now,he a t i nghi sbl ooda ndc l oudi nghi s mi nd.I twa sda nge r ous ,wha thewa sf e e l i ng.Da nge r ousbe c a us ehewoul dne e d t obea l e r ta nda wa r e ,a ndhec oul dha r dl yt hi nkofa nyt hi nge xc e ptKyl e . Butheha dma deuphi smi ndt ha thewoul dgi veKyl ea l lt het i mes he ne e de d.I fheha dt ot a kec ol ds howe r se ve r yhour ,hewa ss t i l lde t e r mi ne dt ha t t hec hoi c ewoul dbehe r s . Re s i s t i ngt hene a r l yove r powe r i ngur get oya nkhe ri nt ohi sa r ms ,hes a i d, " Tha tde pe ndsonwha tyouwa ntt oha ppe n. " " You' l lha vet ogoba c kt oNe wYor k,won' tyou? " " Iha vewe e ksofva c a t i ont i mec omi ngt ome .Thi ngsa r epr e t t yc a l ma tt he of f i c enow,s oIc a nt a ket het i meof fi fIwa nt .Whydon' twewa i tunt i lMonda y? " " Bus i ne s sbe f or epl e a s ur e ? "s hea s ke dl i ght l y. " Notne c e s s a r i l y. "Hewonde r e dwha ts hewa sf e e l i ng.Asa l wa ys ,i twa si mpos s i bl et ot e l lf r omhe rl ove l yf a c eort ur quoi s ee ye s .Wi t has udde ni nt ui t i onhe kne wt ha twhe nhec oul df i nds omehi ntofhe rt hought sj us tbyl ooki nga the r ,t he pa s twoul dbebur i e df orgood.Theknowl e dgewa sl i t t l ec ons ol a t i on.Shewa sa s e ni gma t i ca sac a t ,a ndt hos ec r e a t ur e sha dke ptt he i rs e c r e t sf ort hous a ndsof ye a r s . Shewa sl ooki nga thi m now,he re xpr e s s i ons t i l lunr e a da bl e ." We l l , "s he s a i d," I ' munpa c ke d.Howa boutyou? " " Ye s . " " The nwhydon' twee xpl or eabi t ?Ma r t i ndi dof f e rust her unoft hehous e . " Luc a st houghta boutt ha ta ndha dt oa dmi ti ts ounde dl i keagoodi de a . The r ewoul dbea boutf i f t ygue s t sdur i ngt hewe e ke nd,mos toft he ms c he dul e dt o c omedur i ngt hene xtf e whour s .Thea c t i vi t yofa r r i vi nggue s t sa nds e r va nt spr ovi de dt he mwi t ht hepe r f e c tt i met oe xpl or e , " Fi ne . "The ywe ntouti nt ot heha l lf r om he rr oom—a ndf oundt he ms e l ve s f a c e t of a c ewi t ht he i rhos t . Ma r t i nRomewa ss l e nde ra ndj us tove rs i xf e e tt a l l .Heha dbl a c kha i rwi t h wi ngsofs i l ve ra tt het e mpl e s ,r a t he rpe ne t r a t i ngda r ke ye s ,a ndaha nds ome ,di s t i ngui s he dl ooki ngf a c et ha ta ppe a r e dade c a deyounge rt ha nhi sf or t yf i veye a r s . Hea l s oha dapl e a s a nt ,de e pvoi c ea ndc ha r mi ngma nne r s .Andt hos ema nne r s we r ee vi de ntwhe nhes a i dnot hi nga ta l la boutt he i re xi tf r om Kyl e ' sbe dr oom or a boutt hei nhe r e ntpos s e s s i ve ne s sofLuc ' sha ndr e s t i nga tt hes ma l lofKyl e ' s ba c k. " Se t t l e di n? "hea s ke dgr a c i ous l y. Kyl es mi l e da thi m,as mi l et ha twa sal i t t l emor et ha ns oc i a lma nne r sa nda l i t t l el e s st ha ni nt i ma c y." Ye s ,t ha nks ,Ma r t i n.Iwa nt e dt os howLucs omeofyour wonde r f ula r tc ol l e c t i on,i ft ha t ' sa l lr i ght . " " Ce r t a i nl y.Pa yc l os ea t t e nt i oni nt het r ophyr oom,Kyl e .I ' ver e c e nt l ya c qui r e ds omes pl e ndi de xa mpl e sofpr i mi t i vef e r t i l i t ys t a t ue t t e s . "Heme tLuc a s ' s ga z ebr i e f l y,hi sownbl a nd,t he nmove dondownt heha l l . Kyl et uc ke dhe rha ndi nhi sa r ma ndt ur ne dhi mi nt heoppos i t edi r e c t i on, s a yi ng," Thi swa y,da r l i ng, "i navoi c et ha twa ss ubt l ydi f f e r e ntf r om t hevoi c e

s heha dus e dwi t hRome . Luc a sobe ye dt hegui di ngt ouc h,buts ome t hi ngde e pi ns i dehi m wa sj a ngl i nga na l a r m." Tr ophyr oom? "hes a i ddi s t r a c t e dl y." Forf e r t i l i t ys t a t ue s ? " " Gi ve syoua ni de ahowhi smi ndwor ks , "Kyl emur mur e d." He ' sbe e nc ol l e c t i ngt hos et hi ngsf orye a r s ,a ndt he y' vea l wa ysbe e ndi s pl a ye di nt het r ophy r oom.I nt e r e s t i ng,i s n' ti t ? " " You' vebe e nhe r ebe f or e , "Luc a sr e a l i z e d,a ndi nt ha tmome nthekne wwhy hi si ns t i nc t sha dgr owl e dwa r ni ngl y. Shel ooke dupa thi mc ur i ous l ya st he yma det he i rwa ydownawi de ,c ur vi ngs t a i r c a s et ot hegr oundf l ooroft hema ns i on." Ma nyt i me s , "s hec onf i r me d." I s uppos eIa s s ume dyoukne wt ha t .Ac t ua l l yIc a mehe r ef i r s ta sac hi l d.Mypa r e nt svi s i t e dMa r t i ns e ve r a lt i me saye a r . " Eve nl yLuc a sa s ke d," Whe ndi dhepl a nt oma r r yyou?The n? " Kyl ewa sf r owni ngabi tbutc ont i nue dt ol e a dhi ma c r os st hef oye ra nd downas hor tha l l .Shedi dn' tr e s pondunt i lt he ye nt e r e dar oom t ha twa sf i l l e d wi t ha na s t oni s hi ngc ol l e c t i onofa ni ma ls ki ns ,we a pons ,f i gur i ne s ,he a ddr e s s e s — a ndj us ta bouta nyt hi nge l s et ha tapr i mi t i ves oc i e t yc oul dha vec ons i de r e dat r ophy.Ande ve naf e wt hi ngst ha tmor ee nl i ght e ne ds oc i e t i e sha dpr i z e d,s uc ha s a ni ma l s ki nr ugs . Sher e l e a s e dLuc ' sa r ma ndwa nde r e da r oundt her oom,ga z i ngwi t hl i t t l ei nt e r e s ta tt hedi s pl a ys ." Kyl e ? " Avoi di nga nyt ouc hoft hepol a r be a rs ki nont hepol i s he dha r dwoodf l oor , s hemove dpa s ti ta ndt he npa us e d,s t a r i nga tac ol l e c t i onofkni ve si nagl a s s c a s e ." Hewa sma r r i e dt he n, "s hes a i d. Luc a sa l l owe dhi sga z et or oa ma r oundt her oom,buthepa i dl i t t l ea t t e nt i on t ot hec ol l e c t i ons .St i l l ,hef e l toddl ys a va ge ,a nunf a mi l i a rs e ns a t i on,a ndwonde r e ddi s t a nt l yi ft hevi ol e nc ei mpl i c i ti nt her oom wa sha vi nga ne f f e c tonhi m. " Tha t ' snota na ns we r , "het ol dhe rf i na l l y. Shet ur ne dt ol ooka thi m,s ur pr i s e dbyt heha r s hne s si nhi svoi c e ." Luc , wha t ' swr ong? " " Hewa nt syou, "Luc a ss a i dba l dl y." Idon' tknowwha tki ndofhol dt hi sZa ma r aha sonhi m,buthewa nt sy ou. " Kyl egl a nc e dt owa r dt hedoor ,t he nmove dt os t a ndbe f or ehi ma st hedi s t a nt s oundsofane ws e tofa r r i va l swe r ehe a r d." It ol dyoua boutwa t e rdr oppi ngon s t one ,r e me mbe r ? " Luc a ske pthi sha ndsi nt hepoc ke t sofhi ss l a c ks ,buthewa sf a rmor et e ns e t ha nhel ooke d." Yout ol dme .Is uppos eI ' df or got t e nt ha twhe nwel e a r ne da bout Za ma r a .ButIs houl dn' tha vedones o.Romewoul dne ve rma r r yawoma nl i ke he r ,woul dhe ,Kyl e ?Noma t t e rwhos hes ay ss hei s ,s hej us tdoe s n' tha vet he bl ue bl oodl i ne shef e e l sa r ene c e s s a r yf orhi swi f e . " Shewa sl ooki ngupa thi m,a nds hookhe rhe a dbr i e f l y." No.Ma r t i nwoul d ne ve rdi s gr a c ehi sf a mi l yna mebyma r r yi ngoutofhi sc l a s s .Tha t ' sga r ba ge ,of c our s e ,buti ts t i l lhol dst r uef orma nyf a mi l i e s .Hi si soneoft he m. " " Howa boutyour s ? " Li ght l ybutwi t ha nunde r t oneofbi t t e r ne s ss hes a i d," I ' vea l r e a dydi s gr a c e d mi net hr ought heye a r s . "The ns hes hr ugge d." Luc ,wha ti sa l lt hi s ? " He rba c kwa st ot hedoor ,Luc a sf a c i nghe r ,a ndwhe nhec a ughtagl i mps e ofmove me nt ,hea c t e dwi t houtt hi nki nga ta l l .Andma ybei twa swi t ht hei nt e nt i onofde mons t r a t i ngt oMa r t i nRomet ha tKyl ewa snol onge runa t t a c he dt ha the a c t e d,buti tt ooknomor et ha naf e ws e c ondst oma ker e a s oni nguni mpor t a nt .

Thes of ts we a t e rs hewa swe a r i ngc a r e s s e dhi sha ndsa shet ouc he di t ,a nd t hewa r m,f i r mf l e s hbe ne a t hwa saba l mt ohi shungr ys e ns e s .Hepul l e dhe r a ga i ns thi ma ndbe nthi she a dt ome e the rs t a r t l e dl i pswi t hhi sown.Kyl ewa s s t i f fi nhi sa r msf oronl ya ni ns t a nt ,a ndt he ns heme l t e da ga i ns thi m. Hef e l the rmout hope ni ngt ohi m,he rha ndss l i ppi ngupa r oundhi sne c k. Hef e l tt hef i r mmoundsofhe rbr e a s t sa ga i ns thi sc he s twhe r et wos we a t e r swe r e f r a i lba r r i e r sbe t we e nhe a t e dbodi e s .Andhef e l tt hes l ow bui l di ngofapot e nt , r a w,a ndpowe r f ulf or c ei ns i dehi m. Theda r k,s pi c ys c e ntofhe rpe r f umer os ef r omhe rs ki nt of i l lhi smi ndwi t h i t ss e duc t i vepr omi s e ,a ndhedr e whe rmor et i ght l ya ga i ns thi m,oneha nds l i di ng downhe rba c kt opr e s she rhi pst ot hea c hi ngf ul l ne s sofhi sl oi ns . Hehe a r das of ts oundt he na nddi dn' tknowi fheha dma dei tori fs heha d. Al ow,hungr ys oundt ha twa sa l mos tpa i n.Wa nt i nghe rha dbe c omeadr i vi ng c ompul s i on,a l le l s ef or got t e n.Wi t hs omuc hs t i l lunc e r t a i nbe t we e nt he m he ne e de dt hec e r t a i nt yofknowi ngs hec oul df e e lde s i r ef orhi m.Hewa nt e dt os e e he rf a c el os eI t se ni gma t i cs e r e ni t yi nt hepr i mi t i vehe a tofpa s s i on,wa nt e dt of e e l he rgowi l dbe ne a t hhi m,he rbodyhol di nghi mde e pI ns i dehe r . I fheha df e l tc a ut i on,hewoul dha vet hr owni tt ot hewi nds ;i ft he r eha d be e na nya wa r e ne s sofhi ss ur r oundi ngs ,hewoul dha vemus e dt ha tt hebe a r s ki n r ugwoul dma keaf i nebe d;i fheha dc ons i de r e dt heda nge rofhi smi s s i oni nt hi s hous e ,i twoul dha vebe e nnomor et ha naf l e e t i ng,di s i nt e r e s t e dt hought .ButLuc a sf e l tnot hi nge xc e ptt hewoma ni nhi sa r msa ndhi sownvi ol e ntne e d,wa s a wa r eofnot hi nge l s e ,t houghtofnot hi nge l s e . Buti nt hedi s t a nc ehehe a r davoi c e ." Ah,wes e e mt obei nt r udi ngont woof myot he rgue s t s .Pe r ha psIc oul ds howyout het r ophyr ooml a t e r ? " Anot he rvoi c e ." WeknowKyl e ;pe r ha pss he ' l lf or gi veusf ori nt e r r upt i ng.I be l i e veIhe a rmor eofyourgue s t sa r r i vi ng,Ma r t i n. " " I fyou' l le xc us eme —? " " Ce r t a i nl y. " Foot s t e psgoi nga wa y.Foot s t e psc omi ngi nt ot her oom. Luc a sdi dn' tknowwhe r ehe ' dbe e n,buthewa sa na wf ul l yl ongt i mer e t ur ni ngt ot hepr i mi t i vevi br a t i onsoft her oom a ndani ggl i nga wa r e ne s sofaha r dwoodf l oorbe ne a t hhi sf e e t .Hi se ye l i dsf e l ti mpos s i bl yhe a vy,a ndhi she a r t s e e me dt oha ves we l l e dt r e me ndous l ybe c a us ehec oul df e e lt her una wa ypoundi ngt hr oughouthi se nt i r ebody.Andt hes l e nde r ne s sofKyl e ' swa r m bodywa sa l i f e l i ne ,s ome t hi nghe ' dha vet ohol dont oorhe ' ddr own. . .orbur nup. . .orf l y a wa ys ome whe r ea ndc r a s hbe c a us ehedi dn' tha vewi ngs . " He l l o? " Heope ne dhi se ye ss l owl y,s t a r i ngdowni nt ohe rda z e df a c e .Andhef e l ta f l i c ke rofi nt e ns epl e a s ur ebe c a us es hewa snol onge rs e r e nea nde ni gma t i c .He r e ye ss hi mme r e dda r kl ywi t hde s i r e ,a ndhe rf a c ewa sf l us he d,wonde r i ng.Oneof he rha ndsmove df r oma r oundhi sne c ka ndt ouc he dhi sf a c el i ght l y,c a r e f ul l y. " The ya r e n' tl i s t e ni ng. " " Li s t e ni ng?The ya r e n' tont hes a mepl a ne t ! " " Youus e dt ol ooka tmel i ket ha t . " " Us e dt o? " " He y,howa boutt ha t ?Yous t i l ldo. " " Thi sr oomi spe r f e c tf ora nor gy. " " La t e r ,da r l i ng.J os h! " " Wha t ? "

" Howdoyouknowwha ta nor gyr ooms houl dl ookl i ke ? " " Imus tha ves e e napi c t ur ei nabook. " " Idon' tbe l i e veyou.I ' l lbe tyouha daha r e m ofbl onde sa ndt he yt hr e wor gi e se ve r yThur s da y. " " Ce r t a i nl ynot . " " No? " " OnSa t ur da yni ght ,pe a s a nt . " " Iwa ntadi vor c e . " Si l e nc e . " We l l ,ma ybeI ' l ls t a yma r r i e dt oyou. " " It houghtyoumi ght . " " Va i n.Thema ni ss ova i n.Kyl e ?He l l o,Kyl e ? " Va gue l ya wa r eofnoi s e s ,Kyl er e move dhe rga z ef r omLuc a s ' spa l ef a c ea nd t ur ne dhe rhe a ds l owl y.I tt ookhe ramome ntt oa c c e ptf ul l yt hepr e s e nc eoft wo pe opl ei nt her oomwi t ht he m,a nds hes t a r e da tt he mbe mus e dl y. Thema nwa st a l la ndbr oa ds houl de r e d,wi t hda r kha i ra nds l i ght l yc oolbut a mus e dbl uee ye s .Hewa sa l s oqui t es t r i ki ngl yha nds omea ndl ooke dmor ef or ma l t ha nmos tme nwoul di nda r ks l a c ks ,awhi t es hi r tope na tt het hr oa t ,a ndabl a c k l e a t he rj a c ke tz i ppe dha l f wa yup. Thewoma ns t a ndi ngi nt hec i r c l eofhi sr i ghta r mwa sa l s ot a l la ndda r k;s he ha dl ongbl ue bl a c kha i rwor nc a s ua l t yl oos e ,a ndhe rf a c ewa sl ove l yde s pi t eI t s notbe i ngbe a ut i f ul .Sheha dme r r yvi ol e te ye sa ndawa r ms mi l e ,a ndt hec a s ua l s we a t e ra nds ki r ts hewor edi dt e r r i f i ct hi ngsf orhe rs pl e ndi df i gur e . " Hi ,Kyl e , "t hewoma ns a i dge nt l y." Re me mbe rus ? " Kyl ebl i nke da ndt houghta bouti t .The r ewe r et hi ngse xpe c t e dofhe r .She wa ss uppos e dt o. . .wha twa ss hes uppos e dt odo?Oh,ye s . " He l l o, "s hes a i ddr e a mi l y." Iwa ntyout ome e tLuc a sKe ndr i c k.Thi si s Ra ve na ndJ os hLong,Luc . "Shewonde r e di fs heha dgot t e nt ha tr i ght .Oddhow a ut oma t i cknowl e dges e e me dt oha vede s e r t e dhe r .Nott ha ts hec a r e d.Shel ooke d ba c kupa tLuc a s ,t he nge nt l yt ur ne dhi she a dt owa r dt heot he r s ." Sa yhe l l o,Luc . " Hebl i nke da nds t a r e da tt he m." He l l o. " " Atl e a s thedi dn' ts a yhe l l o,Luc , "J os hmur mur e d,t he nl ooke ddowna thi s wi f ewi t haf r own." Ne ve rs a yIwa st ha tba d. " " No? "Shes mi l e da thi m." The r ewa s n' tami r r orha ndywhe nyouwe r e s t r e t c he doutont hef l oora tmyf e e t . " " Tr ue . " " Orwhe n—" " Ne ve rmi nd.I ' l lc onc e det hepoi nt . " Luc a sf oundhi ms e l ft hef oc usoft heot he rma n' sga z ea ndwonde r e dwhyhe wa s n' tt hel e a s tbi t 's e l f c ons c i ous .I ts e e me de nt i r e l yna t ur a lt obes t a ndi ngt he r e wi t hhi sa r msa r oundKyl e .Buther e a l i z e dgr a dua l l yt ha ts ome t hi ngwa se xpe c t e dofhi m,s ohea s ke d," Whe r e ' sRome ? " " Gr e e t i nggue s t s , "J os ht ol dhi m." It hi nkwe ' r es a f ef ort hemome nt . " " Ma ybeyoua r e , "Luc a smur mur e d." Thi si sve r yha r dgoi ng, "J os ht ol dhi s wi f ede s pa i r i ngl y. " Iknow,butt he y' l lbec ompl e t e l ywi t huss oon.Doyout hi nkhe ' dhi tmei f It ookhe ra wa yf r omhi m? " J os hl ooke dt hought f ul ." He ' dhi tmei fIdi d. " " We l lgof orawa l ki nt hega r de n, "Ra ve nde c i de d.Shet ookKyl ege nt l yby t hea r ma nddr e whe ra wa yf r omLuc a s ." Kyl e ,doyouknowt heke yt ot hema z e ?

I ' vehe a r dRomeha sawonde r f ulma z ei nhi sga r de n. " Kyl el ooke da the r ." Oh.Ye s . " " Goode nough, "Ra ve nmur mur e d,l a ught e ri nhe re ye s .Shel ooke da the r hus ba nda ss hel e dKyl epa s thi m." It hi nkyou' dbe t t e rge tLucadr i nk.We ' l lbe i nt hec e nt e roft hema z e ,da r l i ng.Yout woc omea ndf i ndusal i t t l el a t e r . " " If oundmywa yt hr oughonema z et oge tyou, "J os ht ol dhe rs e ve r e l y. " Chi nup,da r l i ng.Thi sone ' sonl yma deofbus he s . " " We l l ,a l lr i ght .Butl e a veat r a i lofbr e a dc r umbs . "Whe nt hewome nha d gone .J os hl e f tbr i e f l yhi ms e l f ,r e t ur ni ngwi t has t r ongdr i nkf orhi sf r i e nd.Luc a s ha dn' te ve nnot i c e dJ os h' sa bs e nc e . Kyl ewa s n' ta c c us t ome dt oc onf i di ngi na nyone .Sheha df r i e ndsa l love rt he wor l d,butnoner e a l l ykne w he r .He rmot he r ' ss e ns eofde c or um ha dbe e n dr umme di nt ohe r :A l a dyne ve rbe t r a ye dha vi ngs t r onge mot i ons —i fs heha d t he m,a nde ve nha vi ngt he m wa sba df or m;al a dyne ve rr a i s e dhe rvoi c ef ora ny r e a s ona ndc e r t a i nl yne ve rc r i e di npubl i c .Al a dyke pthe rpr obl e mst ohe r s e l fa l wa ys ,noma t t e rwha t .And,a bovea l l ,al a dywa sne ve r —notunde ra nyc i r c ums t a nc e s —t obes e e ne mbr a c i nga nyma ni nf r ontofa nyone ,s e r va nt s ,f r i e nds ,or s t r a nge r s .He a ve nf or bi dt ha ts hes houl de mbr a c eama npas s i onat e l y . He rowna ndhe rbr ot he r ' se xi s t e nc e sa spr ooft ot hec ont r a r y,Kyl eha da l wa ysbe e nc e r t a i nt ha the rmot he rdi dn' tbe l i e vei twa spr ope rt oe mbr a c eama n i npr i va t e ,e i t he r .Eve nahus ba nd. Kyl ewa s ,ofc our s e ,ve r ydi f f e r e ntf r omhe rmot he r .Ye ts t i l ls heha dhe a r d he rmot he r ' ss t r i c t ur e sa l lt ooof t e n,a ndf ort ooma nyye a r s ,nott obec ons c i ous ofbr e a ki ngoneoft hos er ul e s . Sos hes houl dha vef e l tde f i ni t e l ye mba r r a s s e da tha vi ngme tRa ve nLong a ndhe rhus ba ndf ort hef i r s tt i mewhi l es hewa ss oda z e dwi t hde s i r et ha ts he ' d ha r dl ybe e nc ohe r e nt .Shec oul dhe a rhe rmot he r ' svoi c e ,a ppa l l e d,c onde mni ng, r i ngi ngi nhe rmi nd. Ands hedi dn' tgi veada mn. Byt het i met he yr e a c he dt hec e nt e roft hema z e ,wi t hRa ve nme r e l ys t r ol l i nga l ongbe s i dehe ri ns i l e nc e ,Kyl eha dr e c ove r e dhe rwi t s .Shedi dn' tknow wha tha dha ppe ne dbe t we e nhe ra ndLuc a si nt het r ophyr oom,butwha t e ve ri t wa s ,s hewa s n' te mba r r a s s e da bouti t .Be wi l de r e d,e l a t e d,ha l ff r i ght e ne d,doubt f ul ,e a ge r ,wa r y,e xc i t e d—butnote mba r r a s s e d. I nt hec e nt e roft hema z e ,s ur r ounde dbye i ght f ootwa l l sofgr e e nhe dge , wa sal ove l ywhi t ega z e bowi t hc ur vi ng,pa dde dbe nc he si ns i de .Kyl eha da ut oma t i c a l l yl e dt he m he r ewi t hnot houghtoft hec or r e c tt ur ns ;s heha dme mor i z e d t hema z ei nc hi l dhooda ndof t e nha ds a ti nt hega z e bof orhour s ,a l onewi t hhe r t hought s . Ra ve nl ooke da r oundhe rwi t hpl e a s ur ea st he ys t e ppe dupi nt ot hega z e bo a nds a tont hebe nc h." Thi si swonde r f ul .Di dRomeha vet hema z ede s i gne d? " Kyl e ,s t udyi ngt heot he rwoma n,s hookhe rhe a d." No.Hi sgr a ndf a t he r ,Ibe l i e ve . " " Idi dn' tt hi nkhewa spl a yf ule noughf ors ome t hi ngl i ket hi s .Doyouknow hi mwe l l ? " " Al ongt i me —butnotwe l l . " Theme r r yvi ol e te ye sgl a nc e dbr i e f l ya the r ,a ndKyl ef e l tj us ta ss heha d wi t hKe l s e y.Thi swoma n,s het hought ,wa shi ghl ype r c e pt i ve .Ands t r ong.Tha t

muc hwa sc l e a r l yvi s i bl ebe hi ndt hel a ughi nge ye s .Pe r ha pse ve nda nge r ousi nt he r i ghts i t ua t i on—ort hewr ongone .The nKyl er e me mbe r e dt ha tRa ve nha dbe e n Ke l s e y' spa r t ne r . " . . .t oughne s sc ome si na l ls ha pe sa nds i z e s , "heha ds a i da boutpa s tf e ma l e pa r t ne r s . Kyl ef e l tc omf or t a bl ewi t hRa ve nLong,buthe rvoi c ewa snone t he l e s sgr uf f whe ns hemur mur e d," Idon' tknowwha tha ppe ne dt omeba c kt he r e . " " Don' tyou? "Ra ve nwa sga z i ngof fi nt os pa c e ,he re ye sdi s t a nta ndt hought f ul . " No,I —"Kyl ebi the rl i p." Ye s .Ye s ,Iknow.Buti twa sne ve rl i ket ha tbe f or e ,note ve nwi t hLuc .I ' vene ve rf e l tt ha twa yi nmyl i f e . " Ra ve nha l ft ur ne dont hebe nc ha ndl ooke da tt heyounge rwoma nwi t ha n ope nbutne ut r a le xpr e s s i on,i nvi t i ngc onf i de nc ebutnota s ki ng." Kyl e ,Idon' t know wha tha ppe ne dbe t we e nyoua ndLucye a r sa go—Ionl yknow t ha ts ome t hi ngdi dha ppe n,s ome t hi ngne i t he rofyouc a nf or ge t . " Kyl es hi f t e dune a s i l y,a ndRa ve ns pokea ga i ni nhe rwa r m,mus i c a lvoi c e . " Oh,Lucdoe s n' twe a rhi she a r tonhi ss l e e ve ,a ndne i t he rdoyou.Hedoe s n' tt a l k a bouthi ms e l f ,e i t he r .ButI ' vebe e na r oundhi m agoodde a lt hel a s tye a rors o, a ndI ' ves e e n.Hegoe soutwi t hwome nf r omt i met ot i me ,butt he r e ' sne ve rmor e t ha naf l i c ke rofi nt e r e s tbe f or et hos eda t e s ,t he nnot hi nga ta l la f t e r wa r d.J os h s a yshe ' sbe e nt ha twa yf ort e nye a r s . "Sof t l ys hea dde d," Hec a r r i e sapi c t ur eof youi nhi swa l l e t ,di dyouknow?Is a wi tbya c c i de ntoneda y.Youwe r emuc h younge rt he n.Andyouwe r el a ughi ng. " Sheha dn' tknown,a ndKyl ef e l thott e a r sda mme dupbe hi ndhe re ye s .But s hedi dn' tc r y.Sheha dn' tc r i e df oral ongt i me .Af t e ramome nt ,i navoi c ede voi d ofe mot i on,s hebe ga nt e l l i ngRa ve nwha tha dha ppe ne dt e nye a r sa go.Shes pa r e d ne i t he rLuc a snorhe r s e l fi nt het e l l i ng,be c a us es heha dt ot a l ka bouti t .Qui t e s udde nl ya ndwi t hnoa bi l i t yt of i ghti t ,t hene e dt ot a l kr os euppowe r f ul l ya nd pul l e dt hi ngsoutofhe rt ha tnoonee xc e ptLuc a sha de ve rknown.I twa sane e de d r e l e a s e ,at ha wofe mot i onshe l df r oz e na nda tba yt ool ong. Ra ve nwa ss i l e ntt hr oughout ,he re xpr e s s i onc ompa s s i ona t ea ndunde r s t a ndi ng.The n,whe nKyl e ' svoi c eha ds t i l l e d,s hebe ga nt a l ki nghe r s e l f . " Ius e dt obe l i e vet ha tl ovewa ss ome t hi ngge nt l ea ndki nd,s ome t hi ngwa r m a ndc omf or t i ng.Butt ha twa save r yl ongt i mea go.Thewor kIc hos ea f t e rIl e f t s c hoolwa s. . .we l l ,di f f i c ul t .I twa sal i f ema deupofl i e sa ndde c e i t ,wi t hno r oom f orf r i e ndsorf a mi l ya ndnot i mef orunc e r t a i nt y.J os hs a ysIwa l ke di nt he s ha dowsofda r ks t r e e t sa ndhe ' sr i ght .Iha dt obedi f f e r e ntpe opl e ,t e r r i bl epe opl e ,t odomyj ob.Iha dt os ubme r gee ve r yt hi ngIr e a l l ywa s ,e ve r yt hi ngIf e l t . Andbe c a us eoft ha t ,Iwa sa l wa ysa f r a i dofl os i ngwhoIwa s ,a f r a i dofha vi ngmy t r ues e l fs l i pa wa yorc ha nge. . .f ort hewor s e .SoIbui l tc a r e f ulwa l l sa r oundt he i nne r mos tpa r tofmys e l f .Al otl i ket hewa l l syourf a mi l ybui l ta r oundyou.The y e xpe c t e dyout obes ome t hi ngyouwe r e n' t ,s ome t hi ngyouc oul dn' tbe ,a ndIha d t obes ome t hi ngIwa s n' t .Wewe r ebot hhi di ngi ns i dewa l l s . " " Di dyoubr e a kout ? "Kyl ea s ke d,r e me mbe r i nghe rownda mbur s tofe mot i ons . " Ye s . "The n,s of t l y,s hes a i d," Tha nkst oJ os h.Tha tma nt a ughtmemor e a boutt r us tt ha nmos tpe opl el e a r ni nal i f e t i me .Idi dn' te xpe c thi st r us t ,Iha dno r i ghtt o.Idi dn' te ve nbe l i e vei ni t .Thee vi de nc ea ga i ns tmewa sda mni ng,a nd a nyot he rma nwoul dha vet houghtmewor s et ha na. . .awhor e .ButJ os hl ove d mei nt hef a c eofa l loddsa ndde s pi t ee vi de nc ea ga i ns tmet ha thec oul dn' tdi s -

pr ovee ve nwi t ha l lhi smone ya ndpowe ra ndc onne c t i ons . " " How l uc kyyoua r e , "Kyl emur mur e d.Qui e t l yRa ve ns a i d," Hewa s n' ta n unde r c ove rc opwi t ha l lt hel i e sonhi ss i de .AndIwa s n' tas e ve nt e e nye a r ol da s de s pe r a t e l yf r a gi l ea saba bybi r dt e e t e r i ngont hee dgeofi t sne s t . "Kyl ewa ss i l e nt . " Thi nka bouti t , "Ra ve nur ge d." Asha r da si twa sf oryout owa keupa l one a ndbe wi l de r e d,youc oul ds of t e nt hepa i nwi t ha l lt hos ei de a l i s t i c ,r oma nt i c dr e a mst ha tyounggi r l sc l i ngt o.ButLucdi dn' tha vet ha topt i on.Heha dwa l ke d da r ks t r e e t sa nds e e nt e r r i bl et hi ngs ,a ndhedi dn' tbe l i e vei ndr e a ms . " " Hebe l i e ve dmyi l l us i on. " " Di dhe ?No,Kyl e .Iknowhowhef e l t —be c a us eIf e l tt ha twa ywi t hJ os ha t f i r s t .If e l ts odi r t ya ndhur ti ns i debywha tI ' ds e e n,wha tI ' ddone ,a ndJ os h l ooke da tmewi t haki ndofl oveIdi dn' te ve nbe l i e vei na nymor e .ButIc he r i s he d t hewa yhel ooke da tme ,be c a us ei twa ss of a ra bovewha tmyl i f ewa s .Iwa s l uc ky.J os hwa ss t r onge rt ha nIwa s ,a ndde t e r mi ne d,a ndhewa spa t i e ntbe c a us e hebe l i e ve ds oc ompl e t e l yi nwha twef e l tf ore a c hot he r . " ButLuc ,wha tc oul dhedo,Kyl e ?Te l lyoua boutt hos eda r ks t r e e t sa nd s ha dows ,ya nkyouf r om t ha tne s tyouhadt oc l i mboutofyour s e l f ?Te l lyouhe wa s n' twha tyout houghthewa s ?Att ha ta gei thur t ss omuc hwor s et ol os ea dr e a mt ha ns ome t hi ngr e a l .Hekne wt ha t .Andhewa sgoi ngt ohur tyou,noma t t e rwha thedi d.Hekne wt ha tt oo.I tmus tha vebe e nhe l lf orhi mont hel a s tni ght wi t hyou.Hel ove ds ome t hi ngs of r a gi l e ,hekne w he ' dde s t r oyi ti fhes t a ye d, c ha ngei ti r r e voc a bl yi fhel e f t . " Bot hwome nwe r es i l e ntf orl ongmi nut e s ,Kyl ega z i nga he a dofhe rwi t h hot ,i nwa r dt ur ne de ye sa ndRa ve nwa t c hi nghe rqui e t l y.Andt he nRa ve ns poke a ga i n. " Hedi dwha theha dt o,youknow.I na ni mpos s i bl es i t ua t i onhepi c ke dt he opt i onl e a s tda ma gi ngt oyou.Wha t e ve rhi sr e a s oni ngwa st he nornow,het r i e d nott ohur tyoua nymor et ha nheha dt o.Hewa spr oba bl ya f r a i dt oge ti nt ouc h wi t hyoul a t e r ,a f r a i dyou' dne ve rf or gi vet hehur tort ha tyouwoul dn' tbeI nt e r e s t e di nt her e a lma n.The nt hemont hst ur ne di nt oye a r sa ndyouha dbe e na pa r t t ool ong. " " The nHa ge nc a l l e d, "Kyl es a i ds l owl y. Ra ve nnodde d." Gi vi nghi ma ne xc us et os e eyoua ga i n—a nde ve nt hebe s t ofme nha vet ode a lwi t ht he i rpr i de .Heha dar e a s on—abus i ne s s l i ke ,I mpe r s ona lr e a s on—a ndt her e s tde pe nde donyou. " St r uggl i ngt ounde r s t a nd,Kyl es a i d," Butwhe nhel e f tme ,hebe l i e ve dI ' d be e nbuyi nga nds e l l i ngdr ugs . " " I st ha twha thet ol dyou? " " Hes a i dt ha thewa s n' ts ur e ,t ha tpe r ha pshe ' dbe e nmor ea f r a i dt he nofme be i ngdi s i l l us i one dbyhi mt ha nofhi m be i ngdi s a ppoi nt e di nme .Is e enowwhy hewa s n' twi l l i ngt oc onf r ontmewi t hi t ,t oa s kme .Buthec oul dha vea s ke dwi t houtr e a l l yt e l l i ngmea bouthi ms e l f .Coul dn' the ? " " Woul di tha vec ha nge da nyt hi ngi fheha dc onf r ont e dyou? " " Idon' tknow.Ma ybe .It hi nki twoul dn' tha vec ha nge da nyt hi ngbe t we e n us ,butmybr ot he r —" " Tha ti dolwoul dha vef a l l e nof fhi spe de s t a lal i t t l es oone r , "Ra ve ns a i d. " Butyouwoul dn' tha vebe e na bl et ohe l pyourbr ot he r ,Kyl e ,note ve ni fyou' d known.Pe opl ewhous ea ndpus hdr ugsj us tdon' tr e s pondt ol ovi ngc onc e r n.Be l i e vet ha t . "

" Pe opl equi tdr ugs . " " Ye s .Woul dheha vequi t ? " Af t e ramome ntKyl es i ghe d." No.NotDor i a n. " " The nnot hi ngwoul dha vec ha nge de ve ni fyou' dknown. " " I t ' ss oc ompl i c a t e d. " Ra ve ns mi l e d." Lovea l wa ysi s .I t ' sc a r i ngf ors ome onemor et ha nyouc a r e f oryour s e l f .AndLuchur thi ms e l fmor et ha nhehur tyout e nye a r sa go.Hel e f t youa l onea ndc onf us e d,ye s ,butyouwe r ec a pa bl eofbui l di ngyourowni l l us i on a ndke e pi ngi ts a f e ,Kyl e .Hema dehi ms e l fwa l ka wa yf r om t ha tbr i e f ,be a ut i f ul i l l us i onyouga vehi m,a ndhewa s n' tc a pa bl eofhe a l i ngt hewoundwi t hl ove l y dr e a ms . " " Whe r edoe st ha tl e a veusnow? "Kyl el ooke da tt hewoma nwhoha da l s o wa l ke dda r ks t r e e t s ,wonde r i ngi fi twa spos s i bl et ounde r s t a ndt hegr i ndi nghe a r t a c heofal i f es uc ha st ha twi t houtl i vi ngi tyour s e l f . " Hec a meba c kt oyou, "Ra ve nr e mi nde d. " Heha dt o.Hewa s n' tgi ve nac hoi c e . " " The r ea r ea l wa ysc hoi c e s .Ha ge n' spl a nwa st hes i mpl e s tbutnott heonl y one .Luc a swe ntupt oyourc a bi nbe c a us ehewa nt e dt o,Kyl e .Hewa nt e dt os e e youa ga i n,wha t e ve ri tc os thi m.Ca nyoui ma gi newha tki ndofc our a get ha tt ook? Fora l lhekne w,youc oul dha vede s pi s e dhi m.Heha dnor e a s ont obe l i e veyou woul dn' t .Atbe s t ,hekne whe ' dha vet of a c epa i na ga i n.Thepa i nofme mor i e s . " Kyl er e me mbe r e dawhi t e ,ha gga r df a c ea ndaqui e t ,de e pvoi c eope ni ngol d woundsa nde xpos i ngne w one si nvul ne r a bi l i t y." I —Iknow.Hes a yshel ove s me . " " Ofc our s ehel ove syou.Hene ve rwoul dha vewa l ke da wa yi fheha dn' t t he n.Hewoul dn' tha vec omeba c ki fhedi dn' tnow. " I twa ss oc ompl i c a t e d,s uc har a gi ngma s sofc onf l i c t i nge mot i onsa ndme mor i e sa nddr e a ms ,a ndKyl edi dn' tknowi fs hec oul da bs or bi ta l l .Buta ss hes a t t he r ei nt hepe a c e f ulga z e bo,f e e l i ngt hec r i s pe a r l ywi nt e rbr e e z e ,s ome t hi ngi ns i dehe rope ne dupa nds hef e l tape c ul i a rl i t t l ef l ut t e rl i ket hebr us hofs of twi ngs . Thec hur ni ngc onf us i one a s e d,l e a vi nghe rf e e l i ngba t t e r e dbutc a l m. " I ti s n' te a s yt ot r us t , "s hes a i d. " No, "Ra ve na gr e e d." Note a s ya ta l l .Buts omet hi ngsa r ewor t ht hega mbl e , Kyl e .Hel ove syou.AndIt hi nk. . .i fyouc a nputa wa yt hos epr e t t ydr e a msof kni ght sonwhi t ec ha r ge r s ,you' l lf i nds ome t hi ngas e ve nt e e nye a r ol dgi r lc oul d ne ve re ve ni ma gi ne .Cha r ge r sa r eout da t e d,youknow— whi t eorot he r wi s e .And mode r nkni ght st e ndt obeuns unghe r oe s .The ydoqui e t ,da nge r oust hi ngss ome t i me s .The yl ovea ndhur ta ndbl e e d.The ye ve nma kemi s t a ke s . " " Iknow. "Ands hedi d.Fort hef i r s tt i mes hedi d. Ra ve ngott ohe rf e e ta nds t oodf oramome nt ,l ooki ngdowna tKyl e .Sof t l y s hes a i d," I dol st ha tf a l lof fpe de s t a l sdon' ta l wa ysbr e a k.Some t i me st he yge tup a ndbr us ha l lt ha tgl i t t e r i ngdus ta wa y—a ndyouf i ndoutt he y' r ej us ta st a l lwi t houts ome t hi ngt os t a ndon. " Kyl el ooke da the ra nds mi l e d." Tha nkyou. " Smi l i ngi nr e t ur n.Ra ve ns a i d," Iha veagoodme mor yf orma z e s .I ' l lgo me e tJ os ha ndLuca ndt e l lhi mwhe r eyoua r e . " " Ihat ema z e s ! "J os hs a i dwi t hc ons i de r a bl ef e e l i ng,ba t t i nga tapr ot r udi ng a r mofgr e e ne r y." Howl ongha vewebe e nl os ti nt hi sone ? "

" Hour s . "Luc a swa se qua l l ydi s gus t e da ndqui t ede f i ni t e l ye dgy." Wha ti s Ra ve nt e l l i nghe r ? " J os hpa us e dt oc ont e mpl a t eade a de nd,mut t e r e dac ur s ea st he yr e t r a c e d t he i rs t e ps ,t he nl ooke da thi sf r i e nd." Hows houl dIknow? " " We l l ,s he ' syour s ,a f t e ra l l . " " Bet ha ta si tma y, "J os hs a i d," Ic a nha r dl yr e a dhe rmi nd.Es pe c i a l l ynot wi t hf oura c r e sofbus he sbe t we e nus .J us tt ha nkyourl uc ks he ' snotwi t hSe r e na . " Me nt a l l yLuc a sdi d.Fa t eha da tl e a s tbe e nki ndt os pa r ehi mt hei nt e r ve nt i onofJ os h' ss i s t e r .Se r e naha dahe a r tofgol d,wi t ha nunne r vi ngs ubt l e t ya nd t hef or c eofaShe r ma nt a nk. The yc a met oa ni nt e r s e c t i ona nds t oods t a r i nga tt hr e epos s i bl ea ve nue sof pr ogr e s s . " Whi c hwa ydi dwec ome ? " " Tha twa y.No—t ha twa y.He l l ,Idon' tknow. " " Wec oul ds i nkourpr i dea nds t a r tye l l i ng, "J os hs ugge s t e d. " Iwi l li fyouwi l l . " " Thi swa y, "J os hde c i de df i r ml y,he a di ngdownt hemi ddl epa t h. Mi nut e sl a t e r ,e xi t i nga ga i n,Luc a ss a i d," Buyt hi sma z es owec a nbumi t . " " I t ' snotwor t ht hema t c h.Gota nybr e a dc r umbs ? " " Notonme ,no. " " Pi t y. " Fi ve Ove r he a r i ngt hi sc onve r s a t i onf r omt hr e ef e e ta wa yont heot he rs i deont he he dge .Ra ve ne nj oye di ts omuc ht ha ts her e t r a c e dhe rowns t e psba c kt ot hec e nt e ra ndt ol dKyl ea bouti t .AndKyl e ,f e e l i ngmor el i ght he a r t e dt ha ns heha di n ye a r s ,we ntba c kwi t ht heot he rwoma nt oe a ve s dr ops ha me l e s s l yont heme n. Bot hwome ne nl a r ge dt he i rr e s pe c t i vevoc a bul a r i e sofc ol or f ulc ur s e s ,e ve nRa ve nwi de ni nghe re ye sa ts omeot he rhus ba nd' sphr a s e s . " Andyout hi nkyouknowama na f t e rl i vi ngwi t hhi mf orawhi l e , "s hemur mur e d. Sof ta she rvoi c ewa s ,i tc a ughthe rhus ba nd' sa t t e nt i on. " I t ' sRa ve n.She ' sove rt he r e . " " Thewhol ewor l d' sove rt he r e , "Luc a ss a i di r r i t a bl y.And,amome ntl a t e r , " The r ei s n' ta nywa yt oge tove rt he r e .Kyl e ?Ar eyouwi t hRa ve n? " " Ofc our s eIa m,Luc , "s hec a l l e dba c k. " Att hec e nt e r ? " Ra ve nl a ughe d." Sor r y,guys ,youa r e n' te ve nha l f wa yt he r e .Wegotbor e d a ndc a met of i ndyou. " " We l l ,f i ndus ! "he rhus ba ndc omma nde d. Ra ve nmur mur e ds ome t hi ngt oKyl e ,whonodde da ndva ni s he dba c ki nt o t hegr e e ne r y.The nRa ve nwa l ke df ours t e psr i ght ,t ur ne dl e f t ,a ndwa l ke dt wo mor es t e ps .Shes mi l e d." He l l o. " " Youe nj oye dt ha t , "J os ha c c us e d. " I mme ns e l y.Luc ,i fyouwa ntKyl e ,Ic a nt e l lyouhowt of i ndhe r .Youdo wa nthe r ,don' tyou? " Luc a ss t a r e di nt ol i mpi dvi ol e te ye s ." Ye s ,Ra ve n, "hes a i dwi t hs t r a i ne dpa t i e nc e ." Iwa ntKyl e .Whe r ei ss he ? " " I nt hec e nt e r . "Ra ve nga vehi mpr e c i s edi r e c t i ons ,t he nwa t c he dhi mt ur na

c or ne ra nddi s a ppe a r . " I fyouwe r e n' tmyde a ra ndonl yl ove , "J os ht ol dhe rt hought f ul l y," i t ' s qui t el i ke l yIwoul ds t r a ngl eyou. " Wi t has ul t r yl ookpe r f e c t e dba c kwhe ns uc ht hi ngsha dbe e nne e de di nhe r va r i ousr ol e s .Ra ve nmur mur e d," Woul dn' tyour a t he rc ha s emena ke dt hr ought he bus he s ? " " Onl yi fyour uns l owl ya ndl e a veat r a i lofc l ot hi ngf ormet of ol l ow. " " Youdi dn' tne e dat r a i li nt heCa t s ki l l s . " " Wa st ha tyouIwa sc ha s i ng?Ic oul dha ves wor nt ha twa smybl ondha r e m. " " Youc a nr un,da r l i ng, "Ra ve na dvi s e d." Butyouc a n' thi de . " Hec oul dn' tr unve r yf a r ,e i t he r .Thepa t hhec hos ewa s ,ofc our s e ,ade a d e nd.Nott ha te i t he roft he mmi nde d. " Wha ta r et he ydoi ng? " Onawoode dhi l lwi t hi nt hehugee s t a t e ,Ke l s e ype e r e dt hr oughhi sbi noc ul a r s ,t he nr e pl i e dt ot heque s t i onc he e r f ul l y." Pl a yi ngi nt hema z e . "Eve na she s poke ,hehooke daf i nge runde rt hee a r pi e c eofhi she a ds e ta ndpul l e di ta wa y f r om hi se a r .Hewa i t e dunt i lt hes put t e r i ngsha ds ubs i de d,t he nr e pl a c e dt hee a r pi e c ea nds pokea ga i ni nt ot hemi c r ophone ." Gi vet he mt i me ,bos s ,t he yj us tgot he r eaf e whour sa go. " " The yha ve n' te ve nbe gunt os e a r c h? "Ha ge n' svoi c ede ma nde d. " Iha venoi de a .Thedi r e c t i ona lmi kej us tpi c ke dupahodge podgeofvoi c e s whi l et he ywe r ei nt hehous e .The ymi ghtha vel ooke dbe f or et he yc a meout s i de . " Ke l s e yputhi sbi noc ul a r sa s i dea nds a tba c kt oc ont e mpl a t et hedi s t a ntma ns i on. " Be s i de s ,i t ' sabi ghous e ,a ndr i ghtnowi t ' sf ul lofpe opl es e t t l i ngi nf ort hewe e ke nd. " " Ape r f e c tt i met os e a r c h. " " Lucwon' tf or ge twha the ' she r ef or ,bos s . " " Pl a yi ngi nt hema z e , "Ha ge nmut t e r e d.The nhes i ghe d." Ar et he ys t i l l t he r e ? " " I ' m notgoi ngt ol ook, "Ke l s e yt ol dhi m." I ' m age nt l e ma n.Kyl es a yss o. " Andhehooke dhi sf i nge runde rt hee a r pi e c ea ga i n. Luc a sf oundt hec e nt e roft hema z ewi t hnot r oubl e ,s ur pr i s e da thows i mpl e i twa sonc ehe ' dbe e ngi ve nt heke y.Hes a w Kyl ei nt hega z e boa ss oona she c a meouti nt ot heope na nda ppr oa c he dhe rs ome wha twa r i l y.Thef r us t r a t i ngbut c omi c a lI nt e r l udeouti nt hema z enot wi t hs t a ndi ng,hewa ss t i l labi tof fba l a nc e a f t e rwha tha dha ppe ne di nt het r ophyr oom. Hes t e ppe dupi nt ot hega z e boa sc a r e f ul l ya shewoul dha vee nt e r e dada r k r oom wi t hwhi c hhewa sunf a mi l i a r ,t r yi nga ndf a i l i ngt or e a dhe re xpr e s s i onl e s s f a c ea nds e r i ouse ye s .Se a r c hi ngf ors ome t hi ngc a s ua lt os a ya shes a tdownon t hebe nc hbe s i dehe r ,hea s ke d," How ol dwe r eyouwhe nyoudi s c ove r e dt he ke y? " " Te n.Whe ne ve rwec a mehe r e ,I ' dl os emys e l fi nt hema z e .Mymot he rwa s a ppa l l e d,ofc our s e .The ywoul dus ua l l yf i ndmehe r ei nt hega z e bo,f a c edi r t y, s hoe ss c uf f e d,s ki r tt or n.Il ove di touthe r e . " Henodde d,wa t c hi nghe r ." Kyl e —" " Youa s ke dmes ome t hi ngi nt hehous e , "s hes a i d.I nt e r r upt i ng." Thea ns we r

i st ha tIdon' tknowwhe nMa r t i nde c i de dhewa nt e dt oma r r yme .Hepr opos e df or t hef i r s tt i met woye a r sa go. " Af t e ramome ntLuc a sa s ke d," Whydi dn' tyoua ns we rwhe nwewe r ei nt he hous e ?Whyt e l lmenow? " " Ma ybe. . .ma ybeIwa nt e dMa r t i nt obet hebuf f e rbe t we e nus , "s hes a i d s l owl y. " I she ? "Luc a sa s ke di nas t e a dyvoi c e . " No. "Fort hef i r s tt i mes her e a c he doutt ohi mc ons c i ous l y,r e s t i nghe rha nd ove rt hes t r ongoner e s t i ngonhi skne e ." Hec oul dne ve rbet ha t .Noonec oul d e ve rbet ha t . " Hel ooke ddowna the rs l e nde rha nd,amus c l ei nhi sj a wf l e xi ng,t he nme t he rda r ke ne de ye sa ga i n." Kyl e ,don' ts a ya nyt hi ngyoudon' tme a n. " Shes mi l e dal i t t l e ." Iwon' t .Idon' tknowwhe r ewe ' l le ndup,Luc ,Ir e a l l y don' t .ButIt hi nkI ' mf a l l i ngi nl ovewi t hyou.It hi nkI ' mf a l l i ngi nl ovef ort he f i r s tt i me . " Hewe ntde a t hl ypa l es udde nl y,s os udde nl yt ha ts hewa sf r i ght e ne d.Butbe f or es hec oul ds pe a k,Luc a sl i f t e dhe rha ndt ohi sc he e ka ndc r a dl e di tt he r e . " Ine ve rkne wwha ti tme a ntbe f or enow, "hes a i da l mos ti na udi bl y. " Wha t ? "s hewhi s pe r e d. " Ar e pr i e vef r omhe l l . " Kyl e ' st hr oa twa sa c hi ng.Shewe nti nt ohi sa r msa ndhe l dhi ma shehe l d he r ,i naf i e r c ebutpa s s i onl e s se mbr a c e .Heha dn' tl e the rs e ei t ,s her e a l i z e d.He ha dn' tl e the rs e ehowmuc hi tme a ntt ohi munt i lnow. Ra ve nha dbe e nr i ght ,s het hought ,f i l l e dwi t hpa i n.Fa l l e ni dol sdi dn' ta l wa yss ha t t e r .Ands ome t i me st he ywe r emuc ht a l l e rs t a ndi ngons ol i dgr ound. Kyl ewa t c he dhi ma c r os st her oom,ba r e l yhe a r i ngt hec onve r s a t i onsa l l a r oundhe r .Hel ooke da l mos tunne r vi ngl yf or ma li nt hebl a c kt uxe do,butt hes l i p ofr e dc umme r bunds howi ngj us ta bovet hebut t onofhi sj a c ke tl ooke dpi r a t i c a l . Hi ss i l ve r yha i rgl e a me di nt hebr i ghtl i ghtoft hehuges a l on,whe r emos toft he gue s t sha dga t he r e da f t e rdi nne r .Hi sha nds omef a c ewa si nc l i ne dpol i t e l ya she l i s t e ne dt ot hewoma nc l ut c hi nghi sa r m. " Tha twoma n, "Ra ve nmur mur e ds udde nl yi nKyl e ' se a r ," i sapi r a nhawi t ha f ul ls e toft e e t h! " Kyl es i ppe dhe rdr i nk,t he ns a i d," Uhhuh.Is a wHe rHi ghne s sma keade a d s e ta tJ os h.Wha t ' dyous a yt ohe r ?Theve nom i nt hel ooks hes e ntyoul a t e r woul dha veki l l e dt e nc obr a s . " " Wha tIs a i d—" " Wha ts hes a i d, "J os hs a i d,i nt e r r upt i ngs moot hl ya shea ppe a r e dbe s i de t he m," wa si nSpa ni s h,t ha nkhe a ve n.Si nc eRomel ooke dbl a nk,Iga t he rhe doe s n' tunde r s t a ndt hel a ngua ge . " Kyl es hookhe rhe a d." He ' st one de a fa nds a yst ha tma ke si ti mpos s i bl ef or hi mt os pe a korunde r s t a nda nyt hi ngbutEngl i s h.Wha tdi dRa ve ns a yt ohe r ? " " You' r et ooyoungt ohe a ri t . "J os hl ooke dr e f l e c t i ve ." I ' mt ooyoung,i n f a c t . " " Yous pe a kSpa ni s h? "Kyl ea s ke dhi mc ur i ous l y. " Hes pe a ksi tl i keana t i ve , "Ra ve nt ol dhe r ." SodoI .He rHi ghne s s ,howe ve r ,doe snot . " Mi l dl yJ os hs a i d," Shec l a i mst obear e i nc a r na t e dme mbe roft heAz t e c

r a c e ,r e me mbe r ?Notne c e s s a r i l ySpa ni s hi nt hi sl i f eorf a mi l i a rwi t ht hec onqul s t a dor e si nhe rpr e vi ousone . " " Buts heunde r s t oodyou? "Kyl ea s ke d. " Oh,s heunde r s t ood, "Ra ve ns mi l e dge nt l y." I twa sve r yba s i c ,gut t e rSpa ni s h.Ands her e s ponde di nki nd,buthe rr e t or twa sha l t i ng,mi s pr onounc e d,a nd e nt i r e l yt oof or ma l l yc ons t r uc t e d.She ' sha dl e s s ons —a ndr e c e nt l y. " J os hl ooke dupt os e eLuc a sa ndPr i nc e s sZa ma r aa ppr oa c hi nga ndmur mur e d," Da r l i ng,pl e a s er e s t r a i nyour s e l f ,a l lr i ght ?Wedon' twa ntt oge tt hr own outofhe r e . " Ra ve ns l i ppe dhe ra r mt hr oughhi sa nds a i ds of t l y," Ofc our s e ,da r l i ng.But I fs hes t a r t ss t r oki ngyourl a pe la ga i n,I ' mgoi ngt odr a wbl ood. " Kyl ene a r l yl a ughe d,buthe rhumorf l e dwhe ns hel ooke di nt oma l i c i ous bl a c ke ye s . " Pr i nc e s s "Za ma r awa sawoma ni nhe re a r l yt hi r t i e s —pe r ha ps .Andt he r e s e e me dl i t t l eque s t i ont ha tLa t i nbl oodofs omeki ndr a ni nhe rve i ns .Apa r tf r om t hos er e a s ona bl ea s s umpt i ons ,a nyc e r t a i nt ya bouthe rba c kgr ounda ndi nt e nt i ons wa spr e t t ymuc hama t t e rf ors pe c ul a t i on. Shewa sf i ve f oot not hi nga ndt e e t e r i ngons i xi nc hs pi kehe e l st oma keup f ort hel a c kofhe i ght ,whi c hga vehe rada ndye xc us et odi ngt ot hea r m ofa ny ma ns hec oul dl a t c hont o—i fs hene e de da ne xc us e ,whi c hqui t eobvi ous l ys he di dnot .Rome ' sgue s t swe r edr e s s e df or ma l l y,a ndZa ma r awa ss howi ngof fhe r be s t ,whi c ht oni ghtwa sagl i t t e r i ngs i l ve rs he a t hwi t hane c kl i net ha tpl unge da l l t hewa yt ohe rna ve la ndas l i tupt hef r ontoft het i ghts ki r tt ha tne a r l yme tt he ne c kl i ne .He rbl a c kha i rwa sdr e s s e di naGyps ywi l dma s sofl ongc ur l s ;s he wor ehuget e a r dr ope me r a l dsi nhe re a r l obe s ,whi l eat hi r dda ngl e dbe t we e nhe r vol upt uousbr e a s t s ;a nds i l ve rba ngl e sdr e s s e de a c hwr i s ti nnoi s ypr of us i on. The r ewa sa ne a r t hys e xua l i t ya boutt hewoma n,a na ur aofa ni ma lpa s s i on t ha twa se a s i l ynot i c e de ve nbyt hewome ni nt her oom.Whi l et heme nge ne r a l l y s e e me dt obea t t r a c t e di nva r yi ngde gr e e st oZa ma r a ,e ve r yoneoft hewome nwa s s us pi c i ousofa na c c e ntt ha tc a mea ndwe nt ,a ndana s t yf e l i neha bi tofs t r oki ng ma l el a pe l s . Kyl e ,wa t c hi ngt hes uppos e dr oya lpe r s ona gea dva nc i ngt owa r dhe ronLuc a s ' sa r m,e xa mi ne dhe rownf e e l i ngsa ndf oundnoj e a l ous yt he r e .Ands hedi dn' t f e e lt hr e a t e ne dbyt heot he rwoma n,e xc e pti nave r yba s i cwa y.Sheha dt henot i ont ha tZa ma r awa smor eda nge r oust ol i f ea ndl i mbt ha nt oma t t e r soft hehe a r t . Sheha dn' tha dt hedoubt f ulpl e a s ur eofbe i ngi nt r oduc e dt ot hepr i nc e s sye t , a ndKyl ec oul ds e et ha tZa ma r awa sbe ntonj us tt ha t .I ts e e me daf a vor i t et a c t i c ofhe r s ,c l i ngi ngt oama n' sa r mwhi l et ha tma ni nt r oduc e dhe rt ohi swi f eorl ove r orf r i e nd. Kyl ewi nke ds l owl ya tLuc a s ,a ndt hef a i ntl ookofa nxi e t yonhi sf a c ee a s e d s ome wha t .Shewa sI nc r e a s i ngl yf a s c i na t e dbyt hi sne wve r s i onoft hema n,bot h move da nda s t oni s he dt of i ndt ha thewa ss ouns ur eofhi ms e l fr i ghtnow. Whe t he ri twa st hene wde l i c a c yoft hebondsbe i ngf or ge dbe t we e nt he m orhi s me mor yofwha tl a ybe hi ndt he m,Luc a swa sc l e a r l yc onc e r ne dt ha tnomor emi s unde r s t a ndi ngsorde c e pt i onswoul de xi s tbe t we e nt he m. Buthedi dn' tha vet owor r ya boutZa ma r a ,Kyl et hought ,ma ki ngame nt a l not et ot e l lhi ms oa ss oona spos s i bl e .Shef e l tnomor et hr e a t e ne dbyt hewoma n t ha nRa ve ndi d,buts hewa sa wa r eofs e ns i t i veha i r sr i s i ngont hena peofhe r ne c k.Andwha t e ve re l s ehe rhe r i t a geha dgi ve nhe r .I tha da l s opr ovi de dt he bl oodofge ne r a t i onsofa r i s t oc r a t i cnobl e me na ndwome nwhoha dpe r f e c t e dt he

s oc i a la r tofde a l i ngwi t hphoni e s . Luc a si nt r oduc e dKyl et ot hepr i nc e s s ,r e a c hi ngoutt ot a kehe rha nda nd a c t i nga si ft her e dt i ppe dgr a s ponhi sot he ra r mdi dn' te xi s t .Subt l e t ywa sl os ton Za ma r a ,howe ve r .Shec ont i nue dt ohol dLuc a spos s e s s i ve l ywi t honeha ndwhi l e t heot he rge nt l ys t r oke dhi sl a pe l . " Ir e me mbe ryou! "s het ol dKyl et hr oa t i l y,he ra c c e ntnomor et ha naf a i nt ove r l a yofr hyt hmt ha tc a mea ndwe nt ." Youwe r eaha ndma i de na tmyc our t . " Kyl es mi l e d,he rga z edr i f t i ngt ot hos er e dt i ppe df i nge r sc ur l e dove rLuc a s ' sa r m.Shes t udi e dt hepos s e s s i veha ndf oraf l e e t i ngmome nt ,t he nl ooke d ba c ka tZa ma r a ' sf a c ewi t houtl os i nghe rs mi l e ." Wa sIr e a l l y? "s hes a i dpol i t e l y. " IhopeIdi dn' ts pi l la nyt hi ngonyou. " Lof t i l yZa ma r as a i d," Oh,no,myde a r ,butyouwe r et e r r i bl yc l ums y.Sa c r i f i c e d,ofc our s e ,a nds uc hapi t y.Nowoma ns houl dha vet odi eavi r gi n. " I nave r ys of tvoi c eKyl emur mur e ds ome t hi ngi nal a ngua get ha tLuc a s , J os h,a ndRa ve ndi dn' tunde r s t a nd.ButZa ma r a ' se ye sf l i c ke r e d.Wi t houtl os i ng he rowns mi l e ,s hegl a nc e da c r os st her oom,f oundMa r t i nRome ,a nde xc us e d he r s e l fr e ga l l yt ot ot t e rof fi nhi sdi r e c t i on. " Wha tdi dyous a yt ohe r ? "Ra ve na s ke dc ur i ous l y. Kyl e ' ss mi l eha df a de da ss hewa t c he dt heot he rwoma n movea wa y. " Hmmm?Oh,Ij us ts a i dt ha twha tyoumi s si nonel i f eyout e ndt of i ndi na not he r . " " Wha tl a ngua gewa st ha t ? "J os ha s ke d." I ts ounde df a mi l i a r . " " Knowa nyGr e e kt yc oons ? "s hea s ke dhi mdr yl y. Luc a swa sga z i ngdowna tKyl e ,f r owni ngal i t t l e ." She ' sGr e e k,t he n? " " I ' ds a ys o.Is a w ar i ngl i ket heones hewa swe a r i ngi nGr e e c e ,a ndI wa nt e dt of i ndouti fs hekne wt hel a ngua ge .Shedoe s ,de f i ni t e l y. "Kyl es hook he rhe a ds udde nl y." Da mmi t .Ibe tI ' veputhe rongua r d. " " Ma ybenot , "Ra ve ns a i dt hought f ul l y." Tha twoma nwoul dbr i ngoutt hec a t i nas a i nt ,a ndf ora l ls heknows ,Gr e e ki sj us tyours e c ondl a ngua ge .Shema ynot knows hega vehe r s e l fa wa y. " Luc a sl ooke da tJ os h,whos hr ugge da nds a i d," Idon' tknow,butIt hi nk t he y' r ea he a dofuss ome how. " " Cl ueusi n? "Luc a sr e que s t e dofKyl e . " She ' sj us tt ooba dt ober e a l ,Luc , "Kyl et ol dhi m. " So?Wef i gur e ds hewa saphonygoi ngi n. " " Iknow,a ndwepr e t t ymuc hdi s c ount e dhe rbe c a us eofi t .Ma ybes hej us t me a nst obe c omeMr s .Ma r t i nRomea nda l lt hi sove r bl own,mys t i c a ldr a mai s pa r tofi t ,butIt hi nkwe ' dbe t t e rke e pa ne yeonHe rHi ghne s s .She ' sda nge r ous . " " De f i ni t e l y, "Ra ve na gr e e d. " Al lr i ght , "J os hs a i d." Si nc ewepl a nne dt os pl i tup,a nywa y.Ra ve na ndI wi l lke e pRomea ndt hepr i nc e s sbus y.Yout woc i r c ul a t ef orawhi l e ,t he ne a s e outa ndc a s et hej oi nt . " " Myhus ba nd,t hepr of e s s i ona lt hug, "Ra ve nmur mur e d." Da r l i ng,yourl a ngua gei sde t e r i or a t i ngf a s t . " " Igott hepoi nta c r os s ,di dn' tI ? " Chuc kl i ng,Luc a swa t c he dt he ms t r ol la wa y,t he nl ooke ddowna tKyl e . " I ' vegot t e ns omeve r ys pe c ul a t i vel ooks , "heof f e r e d." Nobody' sa s ke d,butI ga t he rt he y' r es ur pr i s e dt ha tyout ur ne dupwi t hama n. " Shes t oodont i pt oet oki s shi ml i ght l y,t he ns a i d," Ine ve rha vebe f or e . The y' l ls t opbe i ngs ur pr i s e d,t hough,i fwe —um—pul loutt hes t opsa ndc he wt he

s c e ne r y. " Luc a st r i e dt oi gnor ehi spul s e ' sl e a pi ngr e s pons et ot heme a ni ngbe hi ndhe r wor ds .Ca r e f ul l yhes a i d," The r e ' snot hi ngI ' dr a t he rdot ha ngi vei nt ot ha ts ugge s t i on.I ' ms ur ei twoul dputa nys us pi c i onsa boutust or e s t ,butI ' mnots ur ei t ' s a ta l lwi s er i ghtnow. " Kyl epl a c e dhe rgl a s sont het r a yofapa s s i ngma i d,t he ns l i dhe ra r ms a r oundhi swa i s ta nds t e ppe dc l os e r ." Af r a i dofmovi ngt oof a s t ? "s hemur mur e d, s mi l i ng. Hi sha ndsc a met or e s tonhe ruppe rba c k,a ndt heba r ewa r mt hofhe rf l e s h wokeups l umbe r i ngde s i r e swi t have nge a nc e .Shewa swe a r i ngabl a c ke ve ni ng gownt ha twa ss t r a pl e s sa ndpr a c t i c a l l yba c kl e s s ,a ppa r e nt l yhe l di npl a c ebyhe r ownwi l ls i nc ei tde f i e de ve r yl a w ofgr a vi t y.Shewor enoj e we l r ya ndne e de d none ;he rha i rwa spi l e da t ophe rhe a dI nal oos es t yl et ha tma dehe ra ppe a ra ma z i ngl yf r a gi l e ;a ndhe re ni gma t i ct ur quoi s ee ye sl ooke de ve nde e pe ra ndmor emys t e r i oust ha nus ua l . Luc a sf oundt ha thi sf i nge r swe r emovi ngj us tal i t t l ea ga i ns tt hes i l kyt e xt ur eofhe rs ki n,a ndhekne wt ha thi swi l l powe rwa sabr e a t ha wa yf r om di s a ppe a r i ngc ompl e t e l y." Kyl e ,Iwon' tha vet oa c tt oma kei tobvi oushow muc hI wa ntyou. "Heke pthi svoi c el ow,s e a r c hi ngt her i ddl eofhe re ye swi t hwha tha d be c omea nobs e s s i vene e d." He l l ,Ic oul dn' thi dei ti fIha dt o.Ij us tdon' tknow howmuc hmor eIc a ns t a nd—a ndIdon' twa ntt or ui nt hi ngsbyr us hi ngyou. " " Idon' tf e e lr us he d, "s hes a i ds of t l y." AndIdon' tknow how muc hmor eI c a ns t a nd,e i t he r , " Hegr oa ne d." Iwi s hwewe r es ome whe r ee l s e . " " We ' r enot ,t hough. "He rs mi l ewa ss udde nl yawhi ms i c a le xpr e s s i on,a f l e e t i ngbi tofma gi c ." Buti tdoe s n' tr e a l l yma t t e r ,doe si t ?Nowc omeon.Iwa nt t oi nt r oduc eyout oaf e w oft he s epe opl es ot he y' l lknow youa r e n' tj us ts ome t hi ngha nds omeI ' mwe a r i ngonmya r m. " Hi swor kf orLongEnt e r pr i s e swa sbe hi ndt hes c e ne s ,a nds i nc emuc hofhi s va l uet ot hec ompa nyl a yi nhi sa nonymi t y,Luc a swa s n' ta c c us t ome dt omi xi ng s oc i a l l ywi t ht hewe a l t hy,powe r f ulc i r c l e si nt owhi c hbot hJ os ha ndKyl eha d be e nbor n.Buthewa sa sa da pt a bl ea sac ha me l e on,a ndheha dnodi f f i c ul t yi n hol di nghi sownwi t ht hi sc r owd.I ns t i nc t i ve l yhef oundt her i ghtr e s pons e s ,t he c or r e c ts mi l e s ,t hepe r f e c tbl e ndofr e l a xe dc our t e s y. Onl yva gue l ya wa r eofhi sowne a s yc ha r m,a nda l mos twhol l yoc c upi e d wi t hhi sf e e l i ngsf orKyl e ,Luc a swa s n' te ve nc ons c i oust ha thewa sma ki nga goodi mpr e s s i on,a nd,i fheha dbe e n,hewoul dn' tha vec a r e d.Heonl yha de ye s f orKyl e ,a nds ohemi s s e dt hegua r de dl ya ppr ovi nggl a nc e sf r omma nyoft heot he rgue s t s . Forhe rpa r t ,a ndi ns omes ubt l ema nne rt ha tf a s c i na t e dLuc a se ve na si ti nf l a me dhi m,Kyl ebe ha ve dl i keawoma ni nl ove .The r ewa snot hi ngove r t ,nof e l i nes t r oki ngors ul t r yl ookss uc ha sPr i nc e s sZa ma r ae mpl oye d.He rha ndr e s t e d l i ght l yi nt hec r ookofhi sa r mi nama nne rt ha twa sc ur i ous l yunpos s e s s i ve . Andye t ,whe ns hes poket ohi m,he rvoi c ewa se l us i ve l yl owe ra nds l i ght l y hus ky.Thet ur quoi s ec ol orofhe re ye sl ooke dda r ke r ,de e pe r .He rgl a nc e swe r e i nt i ma t ewi t houti na nywa ybe i ngs ugge s t i ve .Andt houghs hedi dn' tbr us hup a ga i ns thi m phys i c a l l y,t ouc hi ngonl yhi sa r m,s hema na ge dt oma kehi m vi vi dl y a wa r eofhe rbodywi t hnomor et ha nt hef l ui dgr a c eofi t smove me nt s . Luc a sdi dn' tha vet opr e t e ndt ha thewa sut t e r l ybe gui l e da ndwa nt e dhe r de s pe r a t e l y.Whe nt he yha dc i r c ul a t e da r oundt her oom f ors omemi nut e s ,he

di dn' tha vet oe xa gge r a t ehi si nt e nt i onswhe nhegui de dhe rs moot hl youtoft he s a l on. Kyl et ookt hel e a da ss oona st he ywe r eouti nt heha l l wa y,movi ngwi t h s omeha s t et owa r dt heba c koft hehous e . " Whe r ea r eyout a ki ngme ? "hemur mur e d,hopi ngf orar oomwi t hal oc kon t hedoor .Anyr oom. " Thel i br a r y, "s hea ns we r e d,s oundi ngabi tdi s t r a c t e d." The r e ' ss ome t hi ngI wa ntt ol ookf or .AndIt hi nkMa r t i n' ss a f ei si nt ha tr oom. " Luc a st houghta boutt ha ta st he yt ur ne dof fonec or r i dora ndont oa not he r . The nhes a i d," Wha tma ke syout hi nkIc a nope nas a f e ? " " Ca n' tyou? " " Ye s .Butwha tma deyout hi nkIc oul d? " " Ahunc h.Ma ybeI ' ver e a dt ooma nybooksa boutpr i va t ei nve s t i ga t or s . " " Ihopet hi shous ei s n' tbugge d, "hemus e d. Kyl es mot he r e dal a ugh." No,Idon' tt hi nks o.Buta l lt hepa i nt i ngsa r e wi r e dwi t hs e c ur i t yde vi c e s ,t het r ophyr oom a ndl i br a r ya r el oc ke dt i ghte ve r y ni ght ,a ndf ourgua r dswi t hdogspa t r olout s i dea f t e rt hehous ei ss hutup. " Luc a swi nc e d,e ve na shewonde r e dhowheha dma na ge dt odi vi dehi smi nd be t we e nhi sj oba ndt hepowe r f ulur get oya nkKyl ei nt ot hene a r e s tr oom a nd ba r r i c a det hedoor ." Dogs ?IhopeKe l s e yknowsa boutt ha t . " " I ft hehous eha sbe e nunde rs ur ve i l l a nc e ,heknows .Ma r t i ndoe s n' tma kea s e c r e toft hegua r ds . " I nLuc a s ' sdi vi de dt hought s ,bus i ne s ss udde nl yt ookaba c ks e a t ." Youl ook l ove l yt oni ght , "hes a i d." Al wa ys ,bute s pe c i a l l yt oni ght . " Kyl el ooke dupa thi ma ss hegui de dhi mi nt oada r kr oom." Tha nkyou, " s hemur mur e d.Thedoorc l os e dbe hi ndt he m,a nds hehe a r dt hec l i c koft hel oc k. " Um. . .Luc ?Shoul dn' twebel ooki ngf ors ome t hi ngt ohe l pus ? " Shef e l thi sha ndst ouc hhe rwa i s ta nd,a she re ye sbe c a mea c c us t ome dt o t heda r kne s s ,s a wt hegl i mme rofhi ss mi l e . " La t e r , "hemur mur e d. Kyl ewa s n' ta ta l li nc l i ne dt oa r guewi t hhi m,buts hewa sdi ml ya wa r et ha t wha twa sbe t we e nt he mc oul dn' tbea l l owe dt oI nt e r f e r ewi t hhi swor kas e c ond t i me .Shef e l tt hes moot hma t e r i a lofhi sl a pe l sbe ne a t hhe rf i nge r s ,s a waf l a s hi ng i ma geofZa ma r a ' sr e dt i ppe df i nge r s ,a nds ome wha tde f i a nt l ys l i dhe ra r msup a r oundhi sne c k. St r a ndsofhi st hi c kha i rs l i dt hr oughhe rf i nge r sl i kes i l k,a nds hec a ught he rbr e a t hwhe nhepul l e dhe rl owe rbodya ga i ns thi sf i r ml y." I —It houghtyou di dn' twa ntt or us ht hi ngs , "s hema na ge duns t e a di l y. " Idon' t . "Hi she a dbe nt ,a ndhi sl i pspr e s s e dwa r ml ya ga i ns tt heba r ef l e s h ofhe rs houl de r ." ButIha vet ot ouc hyou,Kyl e .I ' ves pe nts oma nyni ght s. . .i n t heda r kl i ket hi s. . .r e me mbe r i ngt hes of t ne s sofyours ki n.Re me mbe r i nghow yourbodyf e l ta ga i ns tmi ne .Fe e l i ngyourhe a r tbe a t i ngunde rmyha ndunt i li t wa smyhe a r t ,a ndi tbe a ts oha r dt ha ti thur t . " Hi sl ow,c ompe l l i ngvoi c ewa sac a r e s s ,s l i di ngove ra l lhe rs e ns e sunt i ls he c oul df e e lt hewor ds ,f e e lt he mf l owi ngt hr oughhe rve i ns ,t e ns i nghe rmus c l e s , we a ke ni nghe rbone s .Hewa smovi ngs ubt l ya ga i ns the r ,as e ns ua lmove me ntt ha t ma dehe rvi vi dl ya wa r eoft het hr us t i ngde s i r eofhi sbodya ndt hea c hi ng,yi e l di ngne e dofhe rown.Shec oul dn' tbr e a t he ,c oul dn' tdr a we nougha i rt hr oughhe r c ons t r i c t e dt hr oa tt os us t a i nl i f e ,a ndye the rbodyha dne ve rbe e ns oa l i ve . Shef e l thi sha ndmovet ohe rs i de ,he rr i bc a ge ,dr i f ts l owl yupwa r dove r

t het i ghts i l kyma t e r i a lofhe rgown.Andwhe nt hos el ongf i nge r sc l os e dove rhe r br e a s t ,t r a ppi ngt hepoundi nghe a r tbe ne a t h,ar oughl i t t l es oundofhunge re s c a pe dt het i ght ne s sofhe rt hr oa t .He rhe a dt i ppe dba c ka shi sl i psbur ne dat r a i l uphe rt hr oa ta ndhe re ye sc l os e d,onl yt oope namome ntl a t e rwhe nhel i f t e dhi s he a d. " Luc ? " Bot hhi sha ndswe r ea the rwa i s tnow.Hewa sve r ys t i l l ,a nds hes e ns e dhe wa st r yi ngt or e t a i ns omes ma l lc omma ndove rt hene e dsofhi sbody.Andwhe n hes poke ,hi svoi c ewa sha r s hwi t hs t r a i n. " Whe na l lt hi sbe ga n,a ndIkne wI ' ds e eyoua ga i n,Iwokeuponeni ghtr e me mbe r i ng.Wonde r i ngwha tmi ghtha veha ppe ne dbe t we e nus .It ol dmys e l fyou woul dha veout gr ownwha tyouf e l tf orme ,but . . .oh,de a rLor d,Kyl e ,I ' vema de s oma nymi s t a ke s ! " " Webot hha ve , "s hewhi s pe r e d.Theda r kne s soft her oom,s het hought ,l e f t t he mvul ne r a bl ea st he yc oul dne ve rbei nt hel i ght ,a nds hes hi e da wa yf r omt ha t onl ybe c a us et he r ewa ss ol i t t l et i met odowha tt he yha dc omehe r et odo,a nds he c oul dn' ta l l owar e pe a tofwha tha dha ppe ne dbe f or e .Asi mpor t a nta st he i rf e e l i ngswe r e ,as e c ondf a i l ur et oc ompl e t et hej obhewa se nt r us t e dwi t hc oul dde s t r oyLuc a s . Sher e a c he dbe s i dehi ss houl de rt of i ndt hel i ghts wi t c h,f l i c ke di t ,a nds e ve r a ll a mpsc a meona tonc ei nt hel a r ger oom. " Wea r e n' tgoi ngt oma kemi s t a ke sl i ket hos ea ga i n,Luc .Andwewon' tl e t t hepa s tpoi s ont hef ut ur e .I t ' sove r —f i ni s he d.I t ' sbe hi ndus . " " Kyl e —" " No. "Shega z e dupa thi m,he re ye sdi r e c ta ndc e r t a i n." Iwon' tbeha unt e d a nymor e .Iwon' tl e tyoube .I tha ppe ne dal ongt i mea go.It hi nkwebot hpa i d, butnobody' sa s ki ngust ogoonpa yi ng. " " Ar e pr i e vei s n' tapa r don, "hes a i df i na l l y,gr uf f l y. Kyl et ouc he dhi sc he e kwi t hge nt l ef i nge r s ." Ic a n' tpa r donyou,Luc .Ic a n unde r s t a nda ndf or gi ve —a ndIha ve .Ic a ns t opl ooki ngba c ka ndl ookf or wa r d.I ha ve .Nowt he r ea r eonl yt wot hi ngsf r omt hepa s tl e f tt ode a lwi t h. " " Whi c ha r e ? " " Youha vet odot hej obyouwe r es e nthe r et odo.It hi nkwebot hr e a l i z e t he r e ' sada nge ri ns ome t hi ngs i mi l a rha ppe ni nga ga i n.A da nge rofmec omi ng be t we e nyoua ndyourj oba ga i n. " " Kyl e —" " I t ' st r ue .Webot hknow i t .Nott hes a meki ndofi nt e r f e r e nc e ,butt he r e ' s s t i l lada nge r . " Fi na l l yhenodde d." Ye s .Andt hes e c ondt hi ng? " " Tha tpa r donyouwe r et a l ki nga bout . "He rvoi c ewa ss of t ." I ti s n' tmi net o gr a nt ,Luc .I t ' syour s .If or ga veyou.Nowyouha vet of or gi veyour s e l f . " Her e a l i z e dt he nt ha ts hewa sr i ght .Heha dn' tf or gi ve nhi ms e l f ,ha dne ve r dones o,a ndt ha ts e l f be t r a ya lha dc ol or e dhi sl i f ee ve rs i nc e .Heha dhur the r , hur thi ms e l f ,wa l ke da wa yf r omhi sr e s pons i bi l i t i e s ,br oke nt hel a wbyde s t r oyi ng e vi de nc ea ndl yi ngt ohi ss upe r i or s .Fort e nye a r sheha dl i ve dwi t ht heknowl e dget ha toutofwha t e ve rmot i ve sheha df a i l e dba dl ydur i ngac r i t i c a lmome nti n hi sl i f e . Hehadf ai l e d. Ge nt l ys hes a i d," Whe nyoua s ke di fIwa nt e da t one me nt ,youwe r ea s ki ng f oryour s e l f ,we r e n' tyou?You' r et heonewhoc a n' tf or gi veyour s e l ff orbe i nghu-

ma n. " Luc a sf e l ts ha ke n,buthea l s of e l tas e ns eofr e l e a s es ome whe r ede e pi ns i de hi m.Asr e a la st hema z eout s i dewa st heonewi t hi nhi m,a nde ve rs i nc ec omi ng ba c ki nt ohe rl i f eheha dbe e nf e e l i nghi swa ybl i ndl y,f i ndi ngune xpe c t e dt ur ns a ndde a de nds .Buts heha dl e dhi mt ot hec e nt e rnow,a ndhes t oodc onf r ont i ng hi sowngr i ndi ngs e ns eoff a i l ur e . Kyl ewa nt e dt ot ur nhe re ye sf r omt hewounde dl ooke di nhi s ,buts hedi dn' t . I fhec oul ds howhe rt ha tna ke da ngui s h,s hec oul df i ndt hes t r e ngt hnott of l i nc h f r omi t . Wi t hqui e tc e r t a i nt ys hes a i d," I t ' sov e r .Pa s t .Puti tbe hi ndyou,Luc ,a ndgo on. " Hedi dn' tr e s i s twhe ns hes t e ppe dba c k,buthi sha ndsl i f t e dt ohol dhe r s houl de r s ." Thewor s tf a i l ur e , "hes a i dr oughl y," wa st heonewi t hyou.Tha t ' st he oneIc a n' tf or ge t . " " Youdi dn' tf a i lwi t hme , "s het ol dhi m." Idon' tt hi nkIwa sr e a dyt he nf or r e a ll ove .Idon' tt hi nkIwoul dha veknownorva l ue dwha te i t he rofusha dt o gi ve .Nott he n. " " Wemi ghtha veha dt e nye a r s , "hes a i d. Kyl el ooke dr e f l e c t i ve ." Ir e a ds ome t hi ngonc et ha ts omewi s epoe ts a i d. Some t hi nga boutt hes a dde s twor dsoft ongueorpe nbe i ng' wha tmi ghtha ve be e n. 'Woul dweha veha dt e nye a r s ,Luc ?Idon' tt hi nks o.I fyouha dt ol dme whoyour e a l l ywe r e ,It hi nkIwoul dha ver unf r om t ha t .Andi fyouha dn' tt ol d me ,we l l ,Iwoul dha ver un,a nywa y,e ve nt ua l l y.Iwa s n' tr e a dyt ol oveyouc ompl e t e l y.Wha tweha venow—wi t hi nourr e a c h—i ss omuc hs t r onge rt ha nwha twe woul dha veha dt he n.Be c a us ewe ' r ebot hs t r onge r .Fr om t r i umphsa ndf a i l ur e s a ndt i me . " " Ihopeyou' r er i ght , "hes a i d,abi twr ybutt r yi ngf orl i ght ne s s . " IknowIa m. "Shes mi l e da thi m." Butf i r s tweha veourwor kc utoutf orus t hi swe e ke nd:Tof i ndt hes e c r e toft hi shous e .Andt hi si sFr i da yni ght . " Hef ol l owe dhe rl e a d,r e a l i z i ngt he ybot hne e de dal i t t l ebr e a t hi ngs pa c e f r om t he i rt ur bul e nte mot i ons .Hef e l ta l mos te xha us t e d,ye thi sbodyt hr obbe d s l owl y,a c hi ngl y.Re l e a s i nghe rs houl de r s ,het r i e dnott ot hi nka boutt ha t ." Al l r i ght .Whe r e ' st hes a f e ?Andwha ti si tyou' r el ooki ngf orI nhe r e ? " Kyl et ur ne dt os ur ve yt hebookl i ne dr oom,f r owni ng." It hi nkt hes a f e ' sbe hi ndt hos ebooks he l ve sbyt hewi ndow.The r e ' sac a t c hs ome whe r ene a rt het hi r d s he l f .Andwha tI ' ml ooki ngf ori sabooka boutt heRomef a mi l y—a ndt hi shous e . Apr i va t ehi s t or ypr i nt e da l mos tahundr e dye a r sa go. " Luc a smove dt ot hea r e aoft her ooms heha di ndi c a t e d,hi smi nds hi f t i ngr e l uc t a nt l yba c kt obus i ne s s ." I st he r es uc habook? "hea s ke d,r unni ngs e ns i t i vef i nge r sove rt het hi r ds he l f . Shewa ss e ve r a lf e e ta wa y,s c a nni ngt i t l e sont hes he l ve sbe hi ndama s s i ve oa kde s k." Is a wi tonc e ,whe nIwa saki d.Ma r t i n' swi f et ol dmea l lt hes e c r e t sof t hehous ewe r ei ni t .Shemi ghtha vebe e nt r yi ngt obedr a ma t i cf ormybe ne f i t . " " Butwor t hat r y, "hea gr e e d. " Goti t ! "The ybot hs pokea tonc e ,Kyl es t r a i ght e ni ngwi t hal e a t he r bound booki nhe rha ndsa ndLuc a ss t e ppi ngba c kt ope r mi tt heout wa r ds wi ngoft he s he l ve s . Andbot hwe r es udde nl yc ons c i oust ha tt he y' dbe e nl oc ke di nt her oom f or s omet i me .Anyoft heot he rgue s t s ,apa s s i ngs e r va nt ,orMa r t i nRomehi ms e l f c oul dknoc kont hedoor .Kyl equi c kl ys a tdowna tt hede s ka ndbe ga nl ooki ng

t hr oughhe rs l e nde rvol ume ,whi l eLuc a sbr us he duponhi ss a f e c r a c ki nga bi l i t i e s . A qua r t e rofa nhourl a t e rLuc a ss a i d," Hedoe s n' tke e pmuc hhe r e .J us ta f e wi mpor t a ntpa pe r s . " Kyl el ooke dupf r om t hebookt of i ndhi mf r owni ngove ral e ga ldoc ume nt t ha tl ooke df a mi l i a r ." Hi swi l l ? " " Ummm.Da t e dj us tamont ha go.He rHi ghne s si s n' tme nt i one d,byt he wa y. " Ha vi ngr e t ur ne dhe ra t t e nt i ont ot hebook,Kyl es a i dva gue l y," He ' dne ve r l e a vea nyt hi ngt oami s t r e s s .Heha sayoungne phe w.Thehe i r ? " " Thehe i ri nde e d.I fhe ' st we nt yoneorol de rwhe nhei nhe r i t s ,t heyoung ma ni st obegi ve napr i va t el e t t e rhe l dbyRome ' sa t t or ne ys .I fhe ' syounge r ,t he e s t a t ewi l lbehe l di nt r us tf orhi m,unt i lhe ' sofa ge .Odd. " " Wha t ' sodda boutt ha t ? " " Not hi ng.Ime a n,wha t ' sodda r et hes t i pul a t i ons .Thi si smor eRa f f e r t y' sde pa r t me ntt ha nmi ne ,buti tl ooksa st hought hi shous ea ndi t sgr oundsa r es ot i e d upt ha ti twoul dbevi r t ua l l yi mpos s i bl et os e l la nyt i mes oon.The r e ' sapa r a gr a ph he r et ha te xpl i c i t l yur ge st hene phe wa ndt r us t e e snott os e l l .Not hi ng— nots o muc ha sas t i c koff ur ni t ur e ,apa i nt i ng,ora numbr e l l as t a nd—i se xc l ude d.And t he r e ' sac ompl e t ei nve nt or ya nda ppr a i s a la t t a c he dt ot hewi l l —da t e ds i xmont hs a go. " Shewa t c he dwhi l eher e pl a c e dt hewi l l ,c l os e dt hes a f e ,a ndt he ns wungt he s he l ve sba c ki nt opl a c e .Whe nhec a meove rt or e s tahi pont hec or ne roft hede s k a ndga z edowna the r ,s hes a i d," We l l ,i t ' sunus ua l ,Is uppos e .Andi ts oundsa wf ul l yr oughont hene phe w.Ime a n,Ma r t i nha sbus i ne s si nt e r e s t s ,s t oc ks ,t hi ngs l i ket ha t ,butmos tofhi swe a l t hi she r ei nt hi shous e .I ft hene phe wha st ol i qui da t emos tofhi si nhe r i t a nc ej us tt opa yt a xe sa ndke e pt hi spl a c eI nt a c t ,hec oul d a c t ua l l ye ndupi nde bt . " Ane xpr e s s i onofs ur pr i s ec r os s e dLuc ' sf a c e ,a ndt he noneofs pe c ul a t i on. " Ma ybet he r e ' samot i vei nt ha t , "hemus e d. " Wha tdoyoume a n? " The yhe a r dl a ught e rs udde nl yf r om t heha l l wa ya sac oupl epa s s e dt hel i br a r ydoor ,a ndLuc a ss t oodup." Le t ' st a l ka bouti tups t a i r s .It hi nkwe ' vebe e ni n he r el onge nough.Wi l lRomemi s st ha tbook,d' yout hi nk? " " Idoubti t .ButIdon' tha vea nywa yt oc a r r yi twi t houtbe i ngobvi ous —" " Le tme . "Het ookt hel e a t he r boundvol umea nds l i ppe di tbe ne a t hhi sc umme r bunda tt hes ma l lofhi sba c k." Comeon. " Whe nKyl et ookhi sa r ma st he yl e f tt hel i br a r y,s hewa s n' te ve nt hi nki ng a bouta ppe a r a nc e s .Shewa st hi nki nga boutLuc a sa nda bouthe r ,a ndhopi ngt he y c oul dc l e a rt hi sa s s i gnme ntupqui c kl y. The yha dot he rt hi ngst odo. J os hs t udi e dt heRube nswi t hac r i t i c a lbutwhol l ya ppr ovi nge ye ." Be a ut i f ul .I ' ms ur pr i s e dyou' r ewi l l i ngt os e l li t . " " I twa saf a vor i t eofmyf a t he r ' s , "Ma r t i nRomes a i d," butne ve roneof mi ne .Ama t t e roft a s t e ,ofc our s e . "Hel ooke da tRa ve n." Doyous ha r eyourhus ba nd' si nt e r e s t ? " " Thi sonei sl ove l y.Heha ss omepa i nt i ngs ,t hough,t ha ts houl dbehungf a c i ngt hewa l l . "Shel ooke da tJ os hi na mus e me nt ." Al lf oragoodc a us e .The y' r e wor ksbybe gi nni nga r t i s t s . "

Ra ve na ndJ os hwe r es t a ndi ngwi t hRomea ndZa ma r aj us ti ns i deRome ' s ga l l e r y,awi dec or r i dors pe c i f i c a l l yde s i gne dt odi s pl a yhi sc ol l e c t i onofpa i nt i ngs .Al loft he m not i c e dLuc a sa ndKyl ee me r gef r om ada r ka l c ovea nds l i p downa not he rha l l wa yt owa r dt hes t a i r s . " Thos et woa r er e a l l ys ome t hi ng, "Ra ve nmur mur e ds of t l y. " Kyl ec e r t a i nl yf e l lha r d, "J os ha gr e e d." Andhec a n' tt a kehi se ye sof fhe r . " " Orhi sha nds , "s a i dat hr oa t yvoi c e . J os hc oul df e e lRa ve nbr i s t l ee ve nt houghs hedi dn' tl os ehe rs mi l e ,a ndhe s ome wha tha s t i l ypul l e dhe ri nt ot hec i r c l eofhi sa r m." Youngl ove , "her e mi nde d Pr i nc e s sZa ma r ami l dl y. Shes l i ppe dapos s e s s i veha ndi nt ot hec r ookofRome ' sa r m." Youngl ove , J os hua ?Buti s n' tl ovea ta nya gea ne xhi l a r a t i nge xpe r i e nc e ? " Pr ompt l yhes a i d," I tc e r t a i nl yi s . " Za ma r ar ubbe dhe rc he e ka ga i ns tRome ' ss houl de r ,a ndbe f or eRa ve n' sf a s c i na t e de ye st hema ns e e me dt ogoi nt oaki ndofs t upor .Hea c t ua l l ywe ntal i t t l e pa l e ,hi se ye sgl a z e dove r ,a ndt heha ndhel i f t e dt oc ove rhe r ss hooks l i ght l y. " Exc us eus , "hes a i di nava guet one . Ra ve nwa t c he dt he m movea wa yt owa r dt hes t a i r sr a t he rt ha nt hes t i l l c r owde ds a l on,t he nl ooke dupa the rhus ba nd." We l l ,I ' l ls a yt hi sf orHe rHi ghne s s —wha t e ve rs he ' sgotpa c ksqui t eawa l l op. " " Andt ha t ' st hes e c ondt i mes i nc edi nne rt he y' vedi s a ppe a r e dups t a i r s , "J os h not e d. " Ihopes her e me mbe r st oputbot he a r r i ngsba c kont hi st i me .She ' sunne r vi ngs omeoft hegue s t swhode vout l ywi s ht hos et wo,bute s pe c i a l l yZa ma r a , woul dbeal i t t l emor edi s c r e e t . " " Shei s n' ts ubt l e ,t ha t ' sf ors ur e . " " She ' sa l s ot r yi ngt ooda mne dha r d, "Ra ve ns a i dbr oodi ngl y." Thef i r s tt i me s hee nt i c e dRomeups t a i r s ,hewa st a l ki ngt ous ,r e me mbe r ?I nf a c t ,e ve r yt i me we ' vegot t e nne a rhi m,s he ' sputi na na ppe a r a nc e . " " Ma ybes he ' sa f r a i dyou' r egoi ngt os t e a lRomea wa yf r omhe r . " " Wha t e ve rhe rf a ul t s ,da r l i ng,s hei s n' tunobs e r va nt .I ' m nott e r r i bl ys ubt l e whe r eyou' r ec onc e r ne d,a nds he ' dha vet obebl i nd,de a f ,a nds t upi dt ot hi nkI wa nt e da nyonee l s e .Iwonde r . . . " " Wha t ? " " Iwonde rj us thows e c ur ehe rhol donhi mr e a l l yi s .Idon' tt hi nks he ' sa f r a i d ofl os i nghi mt oa not he rwoma n,buts he ' swor r i e da bouts ome t hi ng. " " Myi ns t i nc t sa r ej a ngl i ngt oo, "J os ha dmi t t e d." If e e la si fwe ' r es i t t i ngona powde rke g,a nds ome whe r ene a r by,s ome oneha sl i ght e dt hef us e . " Ra ve nnodde d." Ic e r t a i nl yhopeLuc a sa ndKyl ef ounds ome t hi ng. " Si x " I tma ke ss e ns e , "Kyl ea dmi t t e ds l owl y," i fwea c c e ptt ha tMa r t i nha sa bs ol ut e l ynos c r upl e sa boutpr ot e c t i nghi sf a mi l y' she r i t a ge . "The ywe r eba c kups t a i r s i nhe rr oom.Shewa ss i t t i nga tt hef ootofhe rbe dwi t ht heRomef a mi l ybooki n he rl a p,a ndLuc a swa sl e a ni nga ga i ns tat a l l ,bur ni s he dma hoga nybe dpos tbe s i de he r . " I te xpl a i nsapuz z l eort wo, "Luc a ss a i d." Li kewhyhe ' dha vear oom f ul l ofa r t wor ks t ol e ni fheonl ywa nt e dt hema s k.Anda bouthi sl e a vi ngt hehous e a ndgr oundsa sdi f f i c ul tt os e l la spos s i bl e .Thel e t t e rofi ns t r uc t i ont ohi she i ri s

ke y;t hene phe wwoul dha vet oknowwhe r et of i ndt hes t uf f . " " Hewoul dn' twa ntt ol e a vehi she i ri nde bt e d, "Kyl er e a l i z e d,a gr e e i ngwi t h Luc a s ." Butt hene phe wc oul ds e l lof ft hea r t wor kaf e wa tat i me ,c l a i mi nghe ' d di s c ove r e dt he m hi dde n,ort ha tt he ywe r eboughti ngoodf a i t h.Hema ye ve n t hi nkt ha t ' st r ue ,a ndj us ta s s umehi sunc l ewa nt e dt opr ot e c thi mf r omi nhe r i t a nc e t a xe s .Thes t a t ut eofl i mi t a t i onswi l ll i ke l ye xpi r ebe f or ehei nhe r i t s ,a nywa y. " Shes hookhe rhe a d." Andi fhedoe sknow a ndwa nt st oa voi dque s t i onsa l t oge t he r ,t he r e ' sa l wa yst hebl a c kma r ke t .Ne a t .Asl onga st ha ts t uf fr e ma i nshi dde n,who' st oknow? " " Whi c hi swhyweha vet of i ndi t .Ora tl e a s tha ves omegoods ol i de vi de nc e t ha tt hec a c hei she r e .Noj udgei sgoi ngt oi s s ueas e a r c hwa r r a ntf orMa r t i n Rome ' se s t a t ewi t houtda mne dgoodr e a s on,a nde ve ni fonedi d,howwoul dt he y knowwhe r et ol ook?We ' vebe e na s s umi nghegott hes t uf ff orhi ms e l fa ndoutof ade s i r et ol ooka ti t ,whi c hwoul dme a nhe ' dha ver e a s ona bl ea c c e s st oi t .I fhe ' s pl a nni ngf ort hef ut ur e ,i tc oul dbea nywhe r e .Awa l l e dupr oom orc l os e t —a nyt hi ng.We ' dha vet oha veade t a i l e da nda c c ur a t ef l oorpl a noft hi shous ea ndt he n me a s ur e ,i nc hbyi nc h,i ns i dea ndout ,be f or ewec oul de ve nc omec l os et of i ndi ng ahi dde nva ul torr oom. " " Da unt i ng, "Kyl eobs e r ve d." I tc oul dbehi dde na nywhe r ea ta l l .St i l l . . . " " Wha t ? " " We l l ,i twoul dha vebe e nnot i c e di fhe ' dha da nyma j orr e nova t i ngdone . Ca nwef i ndouta boutt ha t ?Be c a us ei fhedi dn' t ,t he ni t ' sve r yl i ke l yheha dt oput t hes t uf fi na ne xi s t i ngva ul ts ome whe r e .Ahi di ngpl a c et ha twa sbui l tye a r sa go, ma ybee ve nwhe nt hehous ewa sf i r s tc ons t r uc t e d.Ands ome t hi nga bouti tmi ght bei nt hi sbook. " " Goodi de a . "Luc a sl ooke da thi swa t c h." You' r enotdr e s s e df ori t ,buti t ' s t i mef orours t r ol li nt hema z e .We ' r es uppos e dt ot ouc hba s ewi t hKe l s e ya tmi dni ght ,a syouknow.Hec a nf i ndouti ft hehous eha sbe e nr e nova t e dr e c e nt l y.My gue s si st ha thea l r e a dyknowsa l la boutt hehi s t or yoft hi shous e . " " Thenor t hwe s tc or ne r —r i ght ? " " Ri ght . " Kyl ede c i de da ga i ns tawr a p:i twa sc hi l l yout s i debutnotr e a l l yc ol d.She e xc ha nge dhe rhe e l sf orapa i rofs a nda l s ,a ndt he yf oundi te a s yt os l i poutoft he hous e .Af ul lmoons howe dt he mt hewa yc l e a r l y,a nds i nc eRome ' sgue s t swe r e ha r dl yt hes or tt oc ha s eonea not he rt hr ought hema z e —a tl e a s t ,nota tmi dni ght — t he yha dt hepl a c et ot he ms e l ve s . Thenor t hwe s tc or ne roft hema z eha dbe e ns e l e c t e da same e t i ngpl a c ewi t h Ke l s e yf ors e ve r a lr e a s ons .I twa sf a r t he s tf r om t hehous e ,r e l a t i ve l ydi f f i c ul tt o s t umbl ei nt obya c c i de nt ,a ndpr ovi de dada ndywe a ks poti nt hegr e e ne r ywhe r e s ome onec oul dpus hhi swa yt hr ough. Andt he yf oundKe l s e ywa i t i ngf ort he m,hi she a da ndpowe r f uls houl de r s pr ot r udi ngt hr ought hehe dgewa l l ,a ne xpr e s s i onofpa t i e nc eonhi sa mi a bl ef a c e . Luc a ss i ghe d." Te l lmes ome t hi ng,Ke l s e y,woul dyou? " " I fIc a n. " " Howdi dyouge ti nt ot hi sbus i ne s s ?Youdon' ts e e me xa c t l yc utoutoft he f e de r a lc l ot h. " " Youj us tt hi nks obe c a us eyouus e dt obeabyt he bookc op, "Ke l s e yt ol d hi m." Ac t ua l l yI ' mapa r a gon.Now,a r ewej us tgoi ngt oc ha t ,orwha t ? " Awa r et ha the ' dbe e nge nt l ywa r ne dof ft hes ubj e c tofKe l s e y' sa dmi s s i oni nt ot her a nksoft hes e c r e t i vef e de r a la ge ntga me ,Luc a sbe c a mee ve nmor ec ur i ous

a boutt ha t .Buthewa sha r dl yonet opr yi nt oa nyone ' spa s ta f t e rbot c hi nghi sown s oba dl y,a ndhel e ti tdr op.I ns t e a dhee xpl a i ne da boutt he i rs e a r c h,t hebooka nd wi l l ,a ndt hec onc l us i onshea ndKyl eha dr e a c he d.Hee nde dbyr e que s t i ngi nf or ma t i ononpos s i bl er e nova t i onst ot hehous e . " None , "Ke l s e ys a i dpr ompt l y." As i def r omal i t t l er e de c or a t i on—pa i nt ,c a r pe t i ng,wa l l pa pe ra nds uc h—t ha tpl a c eha s n' tbe e nt ouc he di nt hi r t yye a r s .Ce r t a i nl ynor e mode l i ngha sbe e ndone . " " Soi tha st obeava ul torr oom t ha t ' se xi s t e da tl e a s tt hi r t yye a r s , "Kyl e s a i d. " Tha tbookyoume nt i one ds oundsl i keagoodbe t .Anyl uc kwi t hi ts of a r ? " " Iha ve n' tha de nought i meye tt or e a di tt hr ough, "s het ol dhi m. Ke l s e ynodde d,t he nl ooke da tLuc a s ." I fyou' r epl a nni ngabi tofe xpl or i ng a f t e rt hegue s t sa r et uc ke dupf ort heni ght ,bec a r e f ul ,wi l lyou?I tmi ghtbebe s t t os t i c kt oyourr oomst oni ght ,a nywa y.I fyouc a n' tf i ndt heva ul tc a s ua l l y,t he n youc a na l wa yss kul kt omor r owni ght . " " I t ' sabi ghous e , "Luc a sr e mi nde dKe l s e y. " Ye a h.We l l ,i t ' syours how. " Luc a snodde d." We l lc he c ki na ga i nt omor r owmor ni nga r ounde i ght ;i t ' sa r e a s ona bl et i mef oras t r ol l ,butIdoubta nyoft heot he rgue s t swi l lbeupa nd a bout . "Hel ooke dr e f l e c t i ve ." Thi sc ome rc a n' tbes e e nf r om t hehous e ,c a ni t , Kyl e ? " " No.Theonl ypa r toft hema z et ha t ' svi s i bl ef r om a nypa r toft hehous ei s t her oofoft hega z e bo. " " Tha t ' sa bouta l lIc a ns e ef r ommys pot ,e xc e ptf ort hi sc ome ra ndac oupl e oft hepa t hs , "Ke l s e ys a i d. " Is uppos ewec oul ds e ndupaf l a r ei fweha ppe ne dt oge ti nt ot r oubl eout he r e , "Kyl es a i dgr a ve l y. Ke l s e yl ooke da the r ." Nota ta l l .J us tc l i mbupont hega z e boa nds t a r t J umpi ngupa nddowna ndwa vi ngyoura r ms .I ' l lge tt heme s s a ge . " Luc a sputa na r ma r oundKyl ea nds a i ddr yl y," Obvi ous l yweha veaf i r s t r a t eba c kupf ort hi sj ob.Le t ' sgo. " Kyl ehe a r dac huc kl ef r om be hi ndt he ma ndt he nt her us t l i ngofbus he sa s t he ywa l ke da wa y." He ' sas t r a ngema n,i s n' the ? "s hemur mur e dt oLuc a s ." If e e l l i keI ' veknownhi mf oral ongt i me ,a ndye t. . .we l l ,hec e r t a i nl ydi dn' twa ntt o a ns we ryoua bouthowhegoti nt ot hi sbus i ne s s ,di dhe ? " " Soyouc a ughtt ha t . " " Your e a l l ydon' tknow? " " No.I ' veonl yknownhi m aye a rors o,a nde ve nt houghhet a l ksal ot ,he doe s n' ts a ymuc ha bouthi ms e l f .Ra ve nc oul dpr oba bl yt e l ls omet a l e si fs he wa nt e d. " " Whe nwewe r eba c ki nt hec a bi n,hes a i ds ome t hi nga boutyou. " Luc a swa swa r y." Oh?Wha t ? " Sof t l yKyl es a i d," Tha tyouwe r eve r ypr ot e c t i veoft hos eyouc a r ef ora nd unc ommonl yga l l a nta boutwome n. " Af t e ramome nt ,s ur pr i s e dbyt heot he rma n' sobs e r va t i ona ndnotqui t es ur e howt or e s pondt oi t ,hes a i dhone s t l y," We l l ,c hi va l r y' st hee a s ypa r tofkni ght hood.Ands i nc eIwa ss ol ous ywi t ht her e s t —" " Don' t . "Shes hi ve r e dal i t t l ebutma deapr ot e s t i ngs oundwhe nLuc a s s t oppe da ndr e move dhi sj a c ke t . " Chi va l r y, "hes a i d,moc ki nghi ms e l fl i ght l ya ndpl a c i ngt hej a c ke ta r ound

he rba r es houl de r s . " I ti s n' tt ha tc ol d, "s hes a i d." Andt ha ti s n' twhyIf e l tac hi l lj us tt he n. "She ga z e dupa thi m,he rf a c es t a r kl yde l i c a t ei nt hepa l emoonl i ght ." Luc ,t he r ea r e n' t a nykni ght sa nymor e .Theme nwhos l a ydr a gonsdon' twe a ra r mororr i dewhi t e c ha r ge r sorc a r r yal a dy' ss c a r fi nt oba t t l e .The y' r euns unghe r oe s , "s hewe nton s of t l y,r e me mbe r i ngRa ve n' swor ds ." The yl ovea ndhur ta ndbl e e d. . .a ndma ke mi s t a ke s .Tha t ' swha tma ke st he mr e al ,Luc . " The ywe r ef a c i nge a c hot he r ,a ndLuc a swa sl ooki ngdowna the r ,hi sf a c e i ns ha dow." You' r et a l ki nga boutt ha tpa r dona ga i n,a r e n' tyou? " " Be c a us ewec a n' tgoba c k.Wec a n' tgoba c ka ndf i xt het hi ngswel e f tbr oke n.Al lweha vei st oda ya ndt omor r ow. " " Iknow. "Heputa na r ma r oundhe rs houl de r s ,a ndt he ybe ga nwa l ki ng a ga i n.Kyl ewa sc hoos i ngt he i rdi r e c t i ons i nc eheha dn' te nt i r e l yl e a r ne dt hema z e ye t ,a ndhewa ss ur pr i s e dwhe nt he ye nde dupa tt hec e nt e r ." Wes houl dha ve gonedi r e c t l yba c kt ot hehous e . " " No,wes houl dn' tha ve . "Kyl es t e ppe dupi nt ot hega z e bo,pl e a s e dt of i nd, a ss her e me mbe r e d,t ha tas of t ,gol de nl i ghtwa ske ptona tni ghti nt hel i t t l es t r uc t ur e . Luc a sf ol l owe dhe r ,wa t c hi nga ss het ur ne dt of a c ehi m.Hef e l tt hewa yhe ' d f e l ta l lda y,uns e t t l e d,al i t t l er a we mot i ona l l y.Whe nhes a w he rf a c e ,hi sf i r s t t houghtwa st ha thedi dn' twa ntt ot a l ka boutt hi s ,di dn' twa ntt of a c et hi st oni ght . Hewa nt e dt ot a keKyl ei nt ohi sa r msa ndbl otoutt hewor l d,e s pe c i a l l yt hepa s t , j us tbl oti tout .Buthi ss e c ondr e a l i z a t i onhi thi mwi t ht hef or c eofabl ow. Hekne wwha ts hewa st hi nki ng. Fort hef i r s tt i me ,t heve r yf i r s tt i mei nt he i rr e l a t i ons hi p,hewa sl ooki nga t he rc a l mf a c ea ndqui e te ye sa ndhekne wwha ts hewa st hi nki ng. " Nott oni ght , "hes a i d,ba r e l yr e c ogni z i nghi sownvoi c e ." Idon' twa ntt o t a l ka boutt hi sa nymor et oni ght . " " Weha vet o.You' r es t i l lt i e dupi nknot s ,Luc —" " Andyoua r e n' t ? " " No.Notl i keyou.Youha ve n' tl e toutt hea nge r . " Hemove dr e s t l e s s l y,ha r dl ya wa r eoft hef a i ntc hi l li nt hea i r ." Kyl e —" " Youra nge ra tme . " " Not hi ngt ha tha ppe ne dwa syourf a ul t . " " No?Iwa st hec a us eofi t ,Luc .Unknowi ngl y,ye s ,butIwa st hec a us e .I fi t ha dn' tbe e nf orme ,youwoul dn' tha veha dt owa l ka wa yf r oma nyt hi ng.Tha tha d t oma keyoua ngr y. " " Il oveyounow.Il ove dyout he n. " " Be c a us eofmeyouha dt oma kec hoi c e syoudi dn' twa ntt oma ke . "He r voi c ewa ss t e a dy." Youha dt ol i e ,de s t r oye vi de nc e .Yourwhol el i f ewa sdi f f e r e nta f t e rt ha t .AndIma deyoul e a veme ,di dn' tI ,Luc ?I fI ' dbe e ns t r onge r ,t oughe r ,mor eofawoma na ndl e s sac hi l d,youwoul dn' tha veha dt ogo. " " Tha twa s n' tyourf a ul t , "hes a i da ga i n,t i ght l y. Kyl es t e ppe dt owa r dhi m." No,i twa s n' t .Webot hknowt ha t .Butyou' r es t i l l a ngr y.AndIwon' tgoonwi t ht ha tbe t we e nus . " " I ' mnota ngr y,nota tyou.Kyl e —" " The nwhydoyouke e ppul l i nga wa y? " Hes t a r e da the r ." Wha ta r eyout a l ki nga bout ? " " Re me mbe rba c ka tt hec a bi n?Igota ngr y.Thebi t t e r ne s sa ndt hehur ta nd a nge ra l lc a meout .Buty oura nge ri ss t i l lbe t we e nus .We ' r ec a r e f ula ndwa r y,

a ndt he nwes t a r tt obec l os ea ndyouba c ka wa y.Thepa s tr e a r si t sugl yhe a d. Andt ha twoul dn' tbeha ppe ni ng,Luc ,unl e s syouwe r es t i l la ngr y.Atme . " " Yous a i dyoune e de dt i me , "hema na ge d. " Tha ti s n' ti ta ndyouknow i t .Youwe r eas t r a nge rt omea tf i r s t ,butt ha t s t oppe dbe i ngt r ueawe e ka go. " Hewa ss i l e nt . Kyl emove da not he rs t e punt i ls hewa ss t a ndi ngbe f or ehi m,a ndhe rf i nge r s we r ewhi t e knuc kl e da ss hehe l dhi sj a c ke ta r oundhe r ." Hone s t yt hi st i me ,r e me mbe r ?Andnotj us twi t he a c hot he rbutwi t hour s e l ve s .Ia voi de dt hea nge ra nd bi t t e r ne s st e nye a r sa go,butI ' vef a c e dt he mt hi st i me .Youl i ve dwi t hi tt he n, ma ybebur i e di ts ome whe r e ,butyouha ve n' tf a c e di t ,notr e a l l y.Now youha ve t o. " Af t e ramome nthel e a ne da ga i ns toneoft hewhi t eDor i cc ol umnss uppor t i ngt her oofa nds i ghe dr a gge dl y.Thi swa sha r de r ,muc hha r de r ,t ha nf a c i nghi s ownf a i l ur e .Thi sf e l tl i keabe t r a ya l ." Il oveyou, "hes a i ds i mpl y. Shewa s n' tgoi ngt ol e thi ma voi di t ,nott hi st i me ." Butyouwe r ea ngr y— whe nyoul e f tmea ndi nt heye a r ss i nc e . " " Idi dn' twa ntt obea ngr y. "Hi sl ow voi c ewa ss t r a i ne d,hur t i ng." Il ove d you,a ndyouwe r es o. . .s of r a gi l e .Is t oodt he r et ha tni ght ,l ooki ngdowna tyou whi l eyous l e ptwi t ht ha ts ui t c a s eope nont hef l oorbymyf e e t .Moonl i ghtwa s s hi ni ngont hebe d,onyou,a ndyoul ooke ds oda mne df r a gi l e .Ikne wI ' dha vet o l e a veyou. " " Andyouwe r ea ngr ya tme , "s hei ns i s t e ds of t l y," be c a us et hedr ugswe r e t he r e .Be c a us eyou' ds e e nmege tt ha tc a s e .Be c a us eyouha dt ol e a ve . " " Ye s , "hebr e a t he df i na l l y." Iwa nt e dt os t a ywi t hyous oba dl y,a ndIwa ss o a ngr yt ha tIwa ss ha ki ng.Ike ptt e l l i ngmys e l ft owa keyouupa ndc onf r ontyou, f i ndoutf ors ur ea boutt hedr ugs ,butIc oul dn' t .Idi dn' twa ntt os e et hel i ghti n youre ye sgooutwhe nIt ol dyouwhoa ndwha tIr e a l l ywa s .Anyt hi ngs e e me d be t t e rt ha nt ha t .Eve n—' • " Shequi e t l yf i ni s he df orhi mwhe nhi svoi c ebr okeof f ." Eve nl e a vi ngme . " Hi sha ndsf oundhe rs houl de r s ,a ndhewa sa wa r et ha tbe ne a t ht het hi c kf a br i cofhi sdi nne rj a c ke twe r et hede l i c a t ebone sofhe rbody,t hef r a gi l i t y.Thede c e pt i vef r a gi l i t y. " I twa s n' tr i ghtt obl a meyou, "hes a i dr oughl y." Ikne wi t .Ik ne wi t .ButI di dbl a meyou.Forawhi l e .Idon' tbl a meyounow,Kyl e ,a ndIha ve n' tf orye a r s . Ir e a da l lt hea r t i c l e sa boutyoui nt hene ws pa pe r sa ndma ga z i ne s ,a ndIne a r l y we ntc r a z yt hi nki ngofyoube i nghur ti noneoft hos eda nge r ouss t unt syouke pt pul l i ng.AndIc oul dn' tbea ngr ya nymor e .Don' tyouunde r s t a nd?Ange rne ve r ha dac ha nc e . " Kyl er e a c he dupt ot ouc hhi sc he e kl i ght l ywi t hhe rf i nge r t i ps ." The ns t op pul l i nga wa yf r om me , "s hewhi s pe r e d." Be i ngc a ut i ous .St opbe i ngwor r i e dt ha t oneofusi sgoi ngt oma keami s t a ket hi st i me . " Hekne wt ha twa st r ue ,kne wt ha tc a ut i onha di nde e dhe l dhi m ba c k.And hi svoi c ewa sr a s pywhe nhes a i d," Toni ghtyoul ooks of r agi l e !Thewa yyoudi d t ha tni ght . . . " " Tha tni ghtwa sal ongt i mea go, "s hes a i d,he ra r mss l i di ngupa r oundhi s ne c k,he rf i nge r st wi ni ngi nhi sha i r ." Thi si snow—a ndI ' mnotf r a gi l enow,Luc . Notl i ket ha t .I ' ms t r onge nought ol oveyounow,s t r onge nought ol ovet hema n your e a l l ya r e .Wi l lyoude nymet ha t ? " Hec a ughthi sbr e a t hwhe ns hemove de ve nc l os e r ,pr e s s i nghe rwa r ma nd

yi e l di ngbodya ga i ns thi munt i lhi sownbodyt hr obbe di nahe a t e d,a c hi ngr us hof de s i r e .Andt hes a mes ur geofpr i mi t i vee mot i onst ha theha df e l ti nt het r ophy r oom e nve l ope dhi ma ga i n,dr i vi ngoute ve r yt hi ngbutt hee s s e nt i a lne e dt of e e l he rbodya l i vei npa s s i on,he a rhe rvoi c ehus kywi t hi t ,a nds e ehe re ye sna ke dl y wa nt i ng. " Kyl e. . . " Hi sl i psf oundhe rpa r t e done s ,f i e r c ea ndde ma ndi ng,ade ma nds her e s ponde dt owi t hi ns t a ntf i r e .Fort hef i r s tt i met he yki s s e dwi t hnot hi nghi dde n, not hi nghol di ngt he mba c k.Ande ve r yt hi ngt ha tha dc omebe f or ewa sonl yapa l e pr e vi e w,aghos t l yhi ntoft hes he e r ,r a we mot i ont oc ome . Kyl et r e mbl e dvi ol e nt l y,da z e dbyt hef e e l i ngsc a pt ur i nghe rbody.Shewa s hot ,c ol d,we a k,s t r ong,r a ve nous .Te nye a r sofr e me mbe r i ngas i ngl eni ghtha d notpr e pa r e dhe rf ort hi se xpl os i on,t hi se r upt i onofa l lhe rs e ns e s .He rbodywa s nol onge rhe rown;i twa shi s ,bonde dt ohi m,l i nke dt ohi si ns omema gi c a l ,ove r powe r i nga f f i ni t y.Andt hehunge rf orhi spos s e s s i onwa sa l i vei nhe r ,hur t i nghe r wi t hi t sne e d. Luc a sdr e wba c ka tl a s t ,s t a r i ngdowna the rwi t hda r ke ne de ye s ,hi sbr e a t h r a s pyi nt hequi e toft heni ght .Wi t houtawor dhes l i ppe da na r ma r oundhe r s houl de r sa ndgui de dt he m bot houtoft hega z e boa ndi nt ot hema z e .Andi twa s Lucwhof oundt hewa yout ,e ve nt houghhewa sha r dl yc ons c i ousofi t . Ne i t he roft he mnot i c e dt ha thi sdi nne rj a c ke tl a yont hef l ooroft hega z e bo, t hec r umpl e dr e ma i nsoff or ma ldi s t a nc e . Gue s t ss t i l ll a ughe da ndmove da r oundt hema ns i on,butKyl ea ndLuc a s ha r dl ys a wt he m.The ywe nti nt ot hehous ea ndupt hes t a i r s ,pe r f e c t l ypa c e d,a nd noonewhol ooke da tt he mc oul ddoubtt ha tt he ywe r ei nawor l doft he i rown. Kyl e ' sr oomwa sc l os e s t ,a ndt he yf oundi ta wa i t i ngt he mwi t hwe l c ome ,t he be dt ur ne ddowna ndt hel a mpss of t l yl i ght i ngt her oom.Tha tf a i ntgol de nl i ght e na bl e dLuc a st os e ewha twa si nhe rf a c ewhe ns het ur ne dt ohi mbe s i det hebe d, a ndi ta l mos ts t oppe dhi she a r t ." Il oveyou, "s hewhi s pe r e d.Hef r a me dhe rf a c e i nhi sha nds ,ga z i ngi nt ohe rt ur quoi s ee ye sa nds e e i ngt hena ke dwa nt i ngt he r e . Ands e e i ngt hel ove ,a s t oni s he d,a we d,a nuns t oppa bl ef or c e . " Il oveyou, "het ol dhe rwi t hs of ti nt e ns i t y." I ' vea l wa ysl ove dyou. " Kyl ec oul df e e lt hebur ni ngofhe rbody' sne e df orhi m,t hea c hi nge mpt i ne s s ,a nds hewonde r e d,wi t has udde ni ns t i nc t i vef e a r ,i fs her e a l l yc oul dl e tgo wi t hhi ma ndbea sf r e ea ss heha dbe e nont ha tot he rni ghts ol onga go,i fhe r f e e l i ngsc oul df ul l ye s c a pet hepr i s onwhe r et he yha dr e ma i ne da l lt he s eye a r s . " I —I ' ma f r a i d, "s hemur mur e d." I t ' sbe e ns ol ong.. . . " " Shhh. "Heki s s e donec or ne rofhe rt r e mbl i ngmout h,t he nt heot he r ,ge nt l e . " I ' ma f r a i dt oo, "hec onf e s s e d. " You? "Shewa ss ur pr i s e d,move d." Why? " " Te nye a r sofme mor i e s , "hes a i dwi t hac r ooke ds mi l e ." I ' ma f r a i dIwon' t pl e a s eyou,l ove .Af r a i dt hes ha t t e r e dpi e c e soft ha tgodofyour swi l lc utt hebot h ofus . " Hi svul ne r a bi l i t yga veKyl et hec our a ges hene e de d,a ndhe rha ndss l i d s l owl yuphi sc he s tt ounf a s t e nhi st i e .Thebut t onsofhi swhi t es hi r tpa r t e d,one byone ,a ndt hegol de nf l e s hofhi sc he s twa sha r da ndr oughe ne dwi t hs pr i ngy ha i rbe ne a t hhe rs e e ki ngt ouc h." You' l lpl e a s eme , "s hewhi s pe r e d." We l lpl e a s e e a c hot he r . " Shec oul df e e lhi sbi g,ha r dbodyt r e mbl e ,f e e lt heuns t e a di ne s sofhi sha nds whe nones l i ddownhe rne c ka ndt heot he rs e a r c he doutt hes i dez i ppe rofhe r

dr e s s .Hi smout hf oundhe r s ,t e nde ra tf i r s tbuti ns t a nt l yhe a t e d.Ands hec oul d onl ydi ghe rf i nge r si nt ohi ss houl de r s ,hol donur ge nt l ya st ha tunf a mi l i a r ,f r i ght e ni nge xpl os i onc ons ume dhe rs e ns e s . Buts hewa s n' ta boutt or ui nt hi sni ghtbybe i nga f r a i d.Shel ove dLuc a s ,a nd t ha twa swha tma t t e r e d.Al lt ha tma t t e r e d.Wi l l f ul l ys hel oos e dt hef l oodwa t e r sof he rowne mot i onsas e c ondt i me ,hol di ngnot hi ngofhe r s e l fba c k.Lovea ndne e d, f i e r c ede s i r ea nda c hi ngt e nde r ne s s ,aj umbl eoff e e l i ngsf l oode dove rhe ra nd t hr oughhe r .Andf e a r ,ne ve rve r ys t r ong,wa ss we pta wa yi nt hepowe r f ulc ur r e nt . Shega s pe dwhe nhi sl i psl e f the r s ,a ndhe rhe a df e l lba c kt oa l l owt hehot e xpl or a t i onofhi smout h.Shef e l tt hez i ppe rofhe rdr e s sgi vewa y,f e l tt hes i l ky s l i deofma t e r i a la st hedr e s sf e l lt opoola r oundhe rf e e ti nda r kne s s .He rs a nda l s we r ee a s i l ydi s c a r de d,t hedr e s ski c ke da s i de .Hi sf i nge r sni mbl yf oundt hepi nsi n he rha i r ,s e ndi ngt he mf l yi ngs ot ha the rha i rf e l ldowna r oundhe rs houl de r s .And s het wi ne dhe rf i nge r si nhi sha i r ,t r e mbl i ngwhe nhi smout hs l i dl owe r . Hepr e s s e dki s s e si nal i nge r i ngt r a i lbe t we e nhe rf ul l ,a c hi ngbr e a s t s ,down t het a utf l e s hofhe rr i bc a gea ndqui ve r i ngbe l l y.Hi sf i nge r sge nt l ydr e wt hel a s t s c r a pofl a c ea nds i l kdownhe rl ongl e gs . Kyl ewa sl os ti ns omehe a t e d,di z z yi ngpl a c e ,bl i nda ndde a ft oe ve r yt hi ng buthi m,hi st ouc h.Shewa sha r dl yc ons c i ousofbe i ngl i f t e d,unt i ls hef e l tt he s of t ne s soft hebe dbe ne a t hhe rba c k,wonde r i ngva gue l ywhe nheha ds t r i ppe d t hec ove r sf a r t he rba c k.Nott ha ti tma t t e r e d.Da z e da ndye a r ni ng,s hel a ywa i t i ng whi l eher a pi dl y,c a r e l e s s l y,di s c a r de dhi sc l ot hi ng. Hewa sbe a ut i f ul ,s hes a w,be a ut i f ula ndpr ouda nds t r ong.Gol de nf l e s hr e f l e c t e dt hel a mpl i ghta shi smus c l e sr i ppl e dwi t he ve r ymove me nt ,a nds hequi ve r e dj us tl ooki nga thi m.Ha ds hes e e nt ha tt e nye a r sa go?No.Sheha donl ys e e n t he nwi t hayounggi r l ' sf a s c i na t i oni nabodys odi f f e r e ntf r omhe rown.Nows he s a wt heha r dpl a ne sa nda ngl e s ,t heut t e r l yma l es c ul pt i ngoff l e s ha ndbonea nd mus c l et ha tc a us e dhe rbr e a t ht oc a t c h. De s i r ewa sa na c he ,a ni nt ol e r a bl ee mpt i ne s shous e dwi t hi nhe rbur ni ng body,a ndt hes of ts oundt ha te s c a pe dhe rwhe nhej oi ne dhe ront hebe dwa shus kya ndhur t i ng. Hi sf e ve r i s hga z emove ds l owl yove rhe r ,a ndLuc a sgr oa ne ds of t l y." You' r e s ol ove l y,Kyl e .. . . "Heki s s e dhe rde e pl y,hi st onguepos s e s s i ng,t wi ni ngwi t h he r si napa s s i ona t ej oi ni ng,apr e l i mi na r ypos s e s s i ont ha ts e a r e dt he m bot h.Hi s ha ndmove dl i ght l yove rhe rbr e a s t bone ,l owe r ,s e e ki nga ndf i ndi ngt het hr us t i ng c ur veofhe rbr e a s t .Ar os yni ppl ewa sha r dt ohi st ouc h,a nds hemoa ne dwhe nhe t ugge dge nt l y.Hi sl i psf ol l owe dt hes a t i nys l ope ,c a r e s s i ngf l us he ds ki na ndt he n c a pt ur i ngt her os ybudhungr i l y. Kyl ec oul dn' tbr e a t he ,c oul dn' tbes t i l l ,a spl e a s ur ema dee ve r ymus c l ei n he rbodygr ow t e ns e .Shec a ughta thi ss houl de r s ,c ompul s i ve l ys t r oke dhi s s moot h,gol de ns ki n.De s pi t et hedi f f e r e nc e sbr oughta boutdur i ngt e nye a r sa pa r t , t hi swa st hebodys hekne w,t hebodys hec r a ve d,a ndt hene e dt ot ouc hhi m wa s he l pl e s s l yove r whe l mi ng.Shes a i dhi sna meove ra ndove ri nhe rmi nd,una bl et o s a yi ta l oud,una bl et oma kea nys ounda ta l le xc e ptf ort hehus ky,ki t t e nl i kewhi s pe r sofde s i r e . He rl e gspa r t e da thi sge nt l e .I ns i s t e ntt ouc h,a ndKyl ea ba ndone dhe r s e l f c ompl e t e l yt os e ns a t i on.Thee mpt ya c hei ns i dehe rgr e w,s we l l i ngi nt hr obbi ng s ur ge s .Thes ha t t e r i ngl ye r ot i cc a r e s sofhi sf i nge r s ,t hes wi r l i ngr a s pofhi s t onguea the rbr e a s tma dde ne dhe r ,pul l e da the runt i lhunge rwa sa l ls hekne w, a l ls hewa s .

Sheha dne ve rknownt ha ts uc hf e e l i ngswe r epos s i bl e .Heha dbe e nge nt l e a ndc a r e f ult e nye a r sa go,s omuc hs ot ha the rme mor i e soft ha tni ghtwe r ef i l l e d wi t ht ha tt e nde r ne s s ,t ha tc a r eofhe r .Buts heha dbe e nt ooyoung,t ooI ne xpe r i e nc e dt of e e lt hec ompl e t er a ngeofs e ns a t i onsawoma n' sbodyc oul dknow.She ha df oundpl e a s ur ei nhi sa r ms ,butnot hi ngha dpr e pa r e dhe rf orwha thewa s ma ki nghe rf e e lnow. " Luc. . . "I twa sawhi s pe r ,r a gge d,ur ge nt .Shet houghts he ' dgoc r a z yi fhe di dn' tt a kehe rnow,ma kehe rhi sa ga i n. Luc a sc oul df e e lhi sownpa s s i onbui l di ng,hi sbodya c hi nga shef or c e d c ont r ol .Shewa suni ma gi na bl yl ove l y,a ndhewa sme s me r i z e dbyt hec ha nge s ma t ur i t yha dwr oughti nhe rbody.Di z z i l yhet houghtofaf l owe rj us tbuddi ng, t he naf l owe ri nf ul l ,gl or i ousbl oom.Pa r t e df r om he rs ol onga go,heha dnot be e na bl et owa t c ht ha tl ove l yt r a ns i t i on;hec oul donl yr e me mbe rt he na nds e e he rnow. The ns l e nde ra ndf r a gi l e ,vi r gi na lye ts out t e r l ygi vi ng,s opa s s i ona t e l yf i e r y i nhi sa r ms .Andnows t i l ls l e nde rbutwi t ht her i pec ur ve sofwoma nhoodi gni t i ng hi ss e ns e s ,nol onge rvi r gi na lbuts t i l lne wt ot hi sphys i c a ll ovi nga nds t i l ls out t e r l yr e s pons i vea ndgi vi ng. Te nl ongye a r s. . .Andi mpos s i bl et of or ge tt ha t .I mpos s i bl et of or ge thow l ongheha da c he df orhe r . Howl ongheha dl ove dhe r . Thehoa r s el i t t l es oundss hema dedr ovehi m wi l de r ,a ndhe rs ha ki ngha nds onhi ss houl de r s ,hi sba c k,s e a r e dhi sne r vee ndi ngs .He rbr e a s tt hr obbe dbe ne a t h hi sl i ps ,a ndt hes l i c khe a tofhe rne e dbe c kone di r r e s i s t i bl y.Shewa ss t a r kl y be a ut i f uli npa s s i on,f i e r c ea nds t r onga nde xc i t i ng.Shewa st e nye a r sofdr e a ms . Het houghthe ' de xpl odewi t hwa nt i nghe ra ndkne w hewoul dne ve r ,e ve r ,ge t e noughofhe r . " Luc. . . "Thea l mos ti na udi bl e ,hus kys oundofhi sna meonhe rl i pswa sa n I nvi t a t i on,ade ma nd,apl e a ,a ndher e s ponde dwi t hdr i ve ne a ge r ne s s .He rt r e mbl i ngl e gspa r t e df orhi m,we l c omi nghi m,a ndt hes i l kofhe ri nne rt hi ghsa ga i ns t hi shi pswa st het ouc hofhome . Shewa sga z i ngupa thi m,he rc l oude de ye sf i xe donhi sf a c e ,wonde r i ng, ne e di ng. " Il oveyou, "hewhi s pe r e di nar a s pi ngs ound,a ndhi sbodyj oi ne dwi t hhe r s i namove me nts os moot ha ndc e r t a i n,i twa sa si ft i meI t s e l fha dde c r e e di t ,s a nc t i one di t . Kyl ec a ughthe rbr e a t h,he rna i l sbi t i ngi nt ohi ss houl de r s .Sheha dn' tr e me mbe r e d.De a rGod,s heha dn' tr e me mbe r e dhow i tr e a l l yf e l t .He rbodya c c e pt e dhi s ,buts hec oul df e e lt het a uts t r e t c hi ngoft i s s ue st ha tha dknownama n' s pos s e s s i ononl yonc es ol onga go.Andt he r ewa sabr i e f ,i ns t i nc t i ve l yf e a r f ulmome ntwhe nhef e l ta l i e ni ns i dehe r ,a ni nt r ude rt ha twoul ds t e a ls ome t hi ngf r om he r .Butt he ni twa sa l lr i ght ,i twa spe r f e c t ,a ndhe rbodywa sr e s pondi ngwi l dl y t ot het hr obbi ngf ul l ne s si tha dc a pt ur e d. Luc a sha dha l fc l os e dhi se ye s ,s t i l la ndt r e mbl i ngi nt ha thove r i ngmome nt ofwa i t i ng.Hi sc he s tmove dwi t he ve r yha r s hbr e a t h,a ndc ont r olwa ss ome t hi ng hec l ut c he dde s pe r a t e l ywhe nt hemol t e nt i ght ne s sofhe rbodys he a t he dhi s . " Kyl e ? "Awhi s pe r e dque s t i on. Andi twa sKyl ewhomove df i r s t ,he rbodya r c hi ngi nt ohi s ,t hei ns t i nc t i ve undul a t i onsofhe rhi psbe gi nni ngt heda nc ebot ht he i rbodi e sc r a ve d. Luc a sgr oa ne d,a ndhi sbodyr e s ponde dt ot hei nvi t a t i onofhe r s .Thebur n-

i ngofhi sne e dt or t ur e dhi m,a ndhec oul dn' tge te noughofhe r ,c oul dn' ts a t i s f y t hei mpe r a t i vene c e s s i t yofme l di ngt he mi nt oonef l e s h,onebe i ng.I ts e e me dt ha t hi sbodyde ma nde dc ompe ns a t i onf ort hel ongye a r sa pa r tf r om he r ,de ma nde da pos s e s s i ons oc ompl e t e ,s out t e r l ya bs ol ut e ,t ha ts hewoul da l wa ysbeapa r tof hi m. Andi ts e e me dt ha tKyl ec r a ve dt hes a met hi ng.Shewa swi l dne s si nc a r na t e , de ma ndi ngwi t hawoma n' sde s pe r a t e ,i ns t i nc t i vedr i vet owa r dc ompl e t i on.He r bodyl ove dhi s ,f oughthi s ,c a pt ur e dhi st ot a l l y.Wi t he ve r ybr e a t hl e s s ,r a ws ound s hehe l dhi m;wi t he ve r yt ouc hofhe rha ndss hes e duc e dhi m;wi t he ve r yt a ut t r e morofhe rbodys hehumbl e dhi m. Cont r olwa sadi s t a ntt houghts pl i nt e r e dbyne e d,a nuni mpor t a ntt hi ngne i t he rwa nt e dorne e de d.Fr e nz i e dne c e s s i t yhe l dt he mc a pt i ve ,s pur r e dt he m on.I t wa saki ndofma dne s s ,I mpa t i e nt ,dr i ve n,a c hi ngwi l dl y,f a rbe yondt he i rdomi ni on. Kyl et houghts hewoul dc e r t a i nl ygoma da nddi dn' tc a r e .Thet e ns i onofhe r ne e dwa st or t ur e ;s we e t ,r a wa gony.Shewa sbr e a ki ng,t e a r i ng.He rhe a r twa s poundi ngoutofc ont r ol ,he rbr e a t hi ngr a s py,a ndpr i mi t i ves oundst a ngl e di nt he ba c kofhe rt hr oa t .Andt he n,i nami ndnumbi ngI ns t a nt ,s hewa ss ha t t e r e d, pi e c e sofhe r s e l ff l yi nga wa yi nt oobl i vi on,a nds hehe l dont oLuc a s ' sbodya st he c e nt e rofr e a l i t yi nawor l dgonema dwi t hpl e a s ur e . Thee xpl odi nge c s t a s yt ha tKyl ewa se xpe r i e nc i ngc a pt ur e dLuc ,he l dhi m f i e r c e l y,a ndhec r i e dout ,e ve na ss hedi d,t hehot ,i nne rc ont r a c t i onsofhe rbody dr i vi nghi mt ot hee dgea ndt he nove ri t ,ma ki nghi mi nt e ns e l ya l i ve ,ki l l i nghi m, c ha ngi nghi mf or e ve r . . .. Hewa she a vy,a nds hegl or i e di nt ha tma l es t r e ngt h.Shef e l tda z e d,s ha ky, a ndye tt e ns i onwa sbui l di nga ga i n.Whi l ea f t e r s hoc ksoft ha ti nc r e di bl ys e ns ua l e a r t hqua kes t i l ls hookt he m,s hec oul df e e lt her i s eofde s i r ei nt he mbot h. Luc a sr ol l e ds l owl y,c a r r yi nghe rwi t hhi m,hi sl i pss e e ki nghe r sbl i ndl y. The i rf e ve r i s hbodi e sc l ungt oge t he r ,me r ge ds t i l l ,a ndheki s s e dhe ra si fonl yt he s ha r pe s te dgeofhunge rha dbe e nbl unt e d. He rbr e a t hl os ta ga i n,he r s e l fl os ta ga i n,Kyl er e s ponde de a ge r l y.Andi nt he hour st ha tf ol l owe d,s hewa sc ons c i ousonl yofde l i ght .Li kel ove r swi t hve r yol d s oul sl onga goc ommi t t e dt oe a c ha not he r ,t he yma del ovea ga i n.I na c hi ngne e d, a si ft hemor ni ngwoul dt e a rt he ma pa r tf or e ve r ,t he yma del ove . De s i r edr ovet he munt i le a c ht ouc ha ndki s ss e ns i t i z e dt he i rf l e s ha l mos tunbe a r a bl y,unt i lt hef e a t he r l i kebr us hoff i nge r sa ndl i pswa sl i keat or c hbr a ndi ng r a wne r ve s .Unt i le ve nt heme e t i ngofe ye swa sunbe a r a bl ea ndye twa sbor ne ;a l mos ta gonya ndye tt he yc r a ve di t . I ns a t i a bl e ,t he yl ove d.I nt hel a mpl i tqui e toft her oomt he r ewe r eonl yf a i nt s ounds .Be l ove dna me swhi s pe r e d,s of tvows ,s i mpl e ,pr i va t ewor dsofne e d.And t hel ow,r a ws oundsofa ngui s he dr e l e a s e ,ofa c hi ngpl e a s ur e . Andt hought wohe a r t sa ndmi ndswoul dha vewor nt heni ghta wa yi nl ove , t he i re a r t hl ys e l ve sf i na l l yyi e l de dt oe xha us t i on.Bodi e se nt wi ne d,l i mbst a ngl e d, ut t e r l yl i mp,t he ys l e pt . Kyl ewokes l owl y,a ndi nt hef i r s tdi s or i e nt e dmome nti ts e e me dt ha tt e n ye a r sha dnotpa s s e da ta l l .Fora nI ns t a nts hewa st ha ts e ve nt e e nye a r ol dgi r l , he rf i r s tni ghtofl ovebe hi ndhe r —wa ki ngt ot hes hoc ki nga bs e nc eofhe rl ove r .

Shedi dn' twa ntt oope nhe re ye s ;s hewa nt e dj us tt ol i ec l os ebe s i deLuc a s unde rt hewa r mt hofc ove r shemus tha vedr a wnupove rt he m.Shewa nt e dj us tt o l i et he r ea ndf e e lwha ts hes houl dha vef e l tt he n:wa r mt ha ndl ovea ndI nc r e di bl e ha ppi ne s s . Andi nt ha tmome ntt hel a s tf a i ntt hr oboft ha tol dwounds i gna l e dt hef i na l he a l i ng. Shef e l thi m moves l i ght l ya ndope ne dhe re ye s ,ga z i ngupa thi ma shel a y pr oppe dona ne l bowwa t c hi nghe r . " He l l o, "hes a i ds of t l y. Kyl ec oul df e e lt hede l i ghtofhe rowns mi l e ." He l l o. "Shes t udi e dhi sf a c e i nf a s c i na t i on,l e a r ni ngi ta l love ra ga i n.Ands heha dne ve rknown,ne ve r gue s s e d,t ha ts oha r da ndma s c ul i neaf a c ec oul dl ooks ot e nde r . Hel owe r e dhi she a da ndki s s e dhe rs l owl y,t hor oughl y,a ndKyl ef e l ta ni ns t a nt ,hott r e mor . " Il oveyou, "s hewhi s pe r e dwhe ns hec oul d. Luc a ss mi l e da the r ,a ndhi se ye swe r eda r k.Hus ki l yhes a i d," Whe nIl e f t yoube f or e ,Ikne wt ha toneda yI ' df i ndyoua ga i n.Cr a wlt oyouonmykne e si fI ha dt o.Ius e dt owa kei nt hemi ddl eoft heni ght ,t hi nki ngyouwe r ewi t hme ,be s i deme .Butyoune ve rwe r e .Unt i ll a s tni ght .Kyl e ,Il oveyous omuc h. " Kyl et ouc he dhi sc he e k,he re ye smi s t y,a ndhe rvoi c ewa ss ha ki ng." You s a i ds ome t hi ngl a s tni ghta boutt hepi e c e soft ha tbr oke ngodc ut t i ngusbot h.But i tne ve rbr oke ,Luc .Nott he n,nots i nc e .I t ' sj us ts t a ndi ngons ol i dgr oundnow. . . a ndi t ' st a l l e rt ha ni twa sbe f or e .Nope de s t a l ,nogl i t t e r i ngi ma ge ,j us tama nI l ovewi t ha l lmyhe a r t . " Ar oughs ounde s c a pe dhi ma ndheki s s e dhe ra ga i n." Idon' tde s e r veyou. " hes a i da l mos ti na udi bl y." ButI ' l ls pe ndt her e s tofmyl i f et r yi ngt o,l ove .I f you' l ll e tme . " Shewe ntve r ys t i l l ,he rbr e a t hc a ughts ome whe r ene a rhe rhe a r t ." Luc ? " Hec uppe dhe rc he e kwi t honebi g,wa r mha nd." Youa s ke dwha twoul dha ppe nonMonda y.Ionl yknowwha tIwa ntt oha ppe n.Ma r r yme ,Kyl e .Bewi t hme a l wa ys . " " The r e ' snopl a c eI ' dr a t he rbe , "s hewhi s pe r e d,a ndwe nti nt ohi sa r ms a ga i n. Se ve n Thene c e s s i t yofr e por t i ngi na ndpa ngsofhunge rf i na l l ydr ovet he mf r om t he i rr oom j us ta f t e rs e ve n.The yf oundt ha tt hehuges t a f foft hema ns i onha d c l e a ne dupa f t e rt heni ghtbe f or ea ndha de ve nha dabuf f e tbr e a kf a s tr e a dya tt hi s e a r l yhour .Butot he rt ha nt he ms e l ve sa ndt hes t a f f ,noones e e me dt obes t i r r i ng ye t . Bye i ghtt he ywe r ei nt hema z e ,a ndKyl el e f tLuc a st or e por ti nwi t hKe l s e y whi l es hewe ntt ot hec e nt e rt of i ndhi sdi nne rj a c ke t .Thej a c ke twa sl yi ngove r t hel owr a i l i ngoft hega z e bo,a ndj us ti ns i det hel i t t l es t r uc t ur ewa sMa r t i nRome . " You' r eupe a r l y, "hec a l l e da ss hea ppr oa c he d. Kyl e ,ne ve re a s i l ye mba r r a s s e d,s t e ppe dupi nt ot hega z e boa ndpi c ke dup Luc ' sj a c ke t ." Il ovemor ni ngs .AndIha dt oge tLuc ' sj a c ke t . " Romegl a nc e da tt hej a c ke t ,t he ns t udi e dhe rf a c e .Conve r s a t i ona l l y,a si fhe we r edi s c us s i ngs ome t hi ngonl ymi l dl yi nt e r e s t i ng,hes a i d," As e r i ousl ovea f f a i r f oryou,obvi ous l y. "

" Ve r ys e r i ous , "s hec onf i r me d. Hel e a ne da ga i ns tac ol umn;hewa sdr e s s e d,a ss hewa s ,i ns l a c ksa nda t hi c ks we a t e r ,a ndhewa sa swi de a wa kea ss he .Sudde nl yKyl ewa sonhe rgua r d. Shewa s n' tqui t es ur ewhy,e xc e ptt ha tt he r ewa ss ome t hi ngi nhi sda r ke ye ss he ha dne ve rs e e nbe f or e .Andt hi sha dnot hi ngt odowi t hLuc a s ' smi s s i onhe r e ;t hi s , s hekne w,wa ss t r i c t l ybe t we e nt het wooft he m. " I ' mwi l l i ngt oove r l ooki t , "hes a i df i na l l y. " Gr a c i ousofyou, "s hes a i ddr yl y." ButI ' mnota s ki ngyout oove r l ooka nyt hi ng,Ma r t i n.Il oveLuc . " Romewa sc l e a r l ya mus e d." Ofc our s eyoudo,myde a r .I ' ms ur ehe ' sbe e n br e a ki nghe a r t sf orye a r s .Butwoul dyour e a l l ywi s ht os ha r eyourl i f ewi t ha ne xpol i c e ma n,f i r e di ndi s gr a c eye a r sa go? " Kyl es t i f f e ne d. Hewa ss t i l ls mi l i ng." Out r a ge ,Kyl e ?Why?Be c a us eIha dyourl ove r ' s ba c kgr oundc he c ke dout ?Ic ons i de r e di tmyr e s pons i bi l i t y,t oyourf a t he ra swe l l a st omys e l f .De s pi t eyourpr e t t yf a br i c a t i ons ,Ke ndr i c ki snot hi ngmor et ha na f or me rc op,di s gr a c e dt e nye a r sa goa ndl i vi nge ve rs i nc eont hebount yofva r i ous we a l t hywome nl i keyou. " Kyl ema na ge dt owor kupe ve nmor eout r a ge ;i twa s n' tdi f f i c ul t ." Idon' t c a r ewha tyous a ya boutLuc , "s het ol dRomei nal ow,s ha ki ngvoi c e ." I tdoe s n' t c ha ngemyf e e l i ngs —orhi s .Andyouha dnor i ghtt ol ooki nt ohi spa s t ,nor i ghta t a l l ! " " Asyourf ut ur ehus ba nd,myde a r —" " I ' mnotgoi ngt oma r r yyou!It ol dyout ha tt woye a r sa go,a ndI ' ver e pe a t e d i ts i nc e . " " The nyourf a t he rwi l ldi s i nhe r i tyou, "Romes a i dc a l ml y. Shes t a r e da thi m,hone s t l ya s t oni s he dt ha thet houghtt ha twoul ds wa yhe r . " Idon' tc a r e . " " Ii ma gi neKe ndr i c kwi l lc a r e . " Kyl edi dn' twa ntRomet obe gi ns pe c ul a t i ngonwhyLuc a si nf a c t ,woul d notc a r e ,s os hedi dn' tde f e ndt ha tpoi nt .I ns t e a ds het r i e dt opl a c ehe r s e l fi nt he unf a mi l i a rpos i t i onofar i c hyoungwoma nwhoj us tmi ghtha vebe e nbe t r a ye di n he rc hoi c eofl ove r . Ra i s i nghe rc hi na ndt r yi ngt of e e ll i ket hes poi l e d,s e l f i s hs oc i e t yda r l i ng t ha tRomeobvi ous l ybe l i e ve dhe rt obe ,s hes a i d," Hewon' tc a r e ,e i t he r .Hel ove s me ! " " I ' ms ur ehe ' save r ypr of i c i e ntl ove r , "Romea gr e e dbl a ndl y. I tt ooka l lt hec ont r olKyl ec oul dmus t e rt oke e phe r s e l ff r om l e a pi nga t hi m,e nr a ge dbyhi sc a s ua ldi s mi s s a lofwha ts hea ndLucha ds ha r e d.Buts he f or c e dhe r s e l ft or e me mbe re ve r yt hi ngt ha twa sa ts t a ke ." Howda r eyou! "s hebi t outs t i f f l y. I nat oneoff a i ntr e pr oof ,a nda si fs heha dnots poke na ta l l ,hes a i d," Onc e wea r ema r r i e d,myde a r ,Iwi l le xpe c ta nhe i rbe f or eyoube gi nt a ki ngl ove r s .A ma nmus tbec e r t a i nofhi she i r s ,a ndIa s s ur eyouIwi l lbeve r ys ur eofmi ne .Di s c r e e t l yyouma yt a kea l lt hel ove r syouwi s h—a f t e r wa r d,ofc our s e . " Kyl ec oul dn' tbe l i e vet hec onve r s a t i on,s i mpl yc oul dnotbe l i e vet ha tt he ma nwa ss e r i ous .Shehe l dLuc a s ' sj a c ke tt i ght l y,t r yi ngt owor kupal i t t l er i ght e ousi ndi gna t i on." Sot ha t ' st heki ndofma r r i a geyou' vepl a nne d,Ma r t i n?AndI s uppos eyourf ut ur ewi f e ,ma yt heLor dhe l phe r ,woul dbee xpe c t e dt ot ur na bl i nde yet oyourr e i nc a r na t e dAz t e cpr i nc e s s ? "

" Za ma r ai snot hr e a tt oyou, "hes a i di ndi f f e r e nt l y." A mi s t r e s si se nt i r e l y a pa r tf r omawi f e . " " Shewa nt st obeyourwi f e , "Kyl et ol dhi m.Gi ddi l ys het hought .Di vi dea nd c onque r !Ma ybei fs hec oul de nc our a geal i t t l edi s s e nt i onbe t we e nRomea ndhi s mi s t r e s s. . . Fort hef i r s tt i mehel ooke dj us tabi ts t a r t l e d." Nons e ns e .Za ma r ai spe r f e c t l ya wa r eofmyi nt e nt i ont oma r r yyou. " Si nc eJ os ha ndRa ve nha dnotbe e na l onei nnot i c i ngZa ma r a ' se f f e c ton Rome ,Kyl ede c i de dt ous ehe rownobs e r va t i onst ogoode f f e c t ." Ma r t i n,you ha vegott obeoutofyourmi nd.You' r eput t yi nhe rha ndsa nds heknowsi t .And i fyout hi nka nys a newoma nwoul dma r r yyouwi t hyourl i t t l epr i nc e s ss t a ndi ng by,you' dbe t t e rdos omemor et hi nki ng.I twon' tha ppe n. " Hes t a r e da the r ,f r owni ng." The nIs ha l ls e ndhe ra wa y. " " Ri ght . "Kyl ega vehi mat i ght ,di s be l i e vi ngs mi l e ." Youc a n' tdoi t .Sheonl yha st ot ouc hyou.Eve r yonenot i c e d,Ma r t i n.Iwa s n' tt heonl yone . " " Ia mi nc ont r ol , "het ol dhe rf l a t l y. Kyl ej us ts t a r e da thi ms c or nf ul l y. And,qui c kl y,Romewa sba c ki nc ont r olofhi ms e l f ." Youwi l lma r r yme , Kyl e .Yourf a mi l ye xpe c t si t .Whe t he rornotIc hoos et oha veami s t r e s si snone ofyourc onc e r n. " Di s t a nt l yKyl es a i dt ohi m," Luci sme e t i ngmehe r ei naf e wmi nut e s . " Hes t udi e dhe rf oramome nta ndt he ns hr ugge d." Is e eIs ha l lha vet ol e t t hi sl i t t l ea f f a i rofyour sr uni t sc our s e .Butyoumi ghtc ons i de rbe i nghone s twi t h your s e l fa ndt e l l i ngKe ndr i c kyou' l lbedi s i nhe r i t e di fyouma r r yhi m.The nwa t c h howqui c kl yhedr opsyou,Kyl e . " Kyl ega z e da f t e rhi mf orl ongmome nt s ,t he ns a nkdownont hebe nc hbe hi ndhe r . Fr oma nups t a i r swi ndowi nt hema ns i on,Za ma r al ooke ddownont hema z e . Shec oul ds e et hega z e boa nd,j us tba r e l y,ac oupl eoff e e tofgr e e ngr a s sa r ound i t .Sheha ds e e nMa r t i ngoi nt ot hega z e bo,a sheof t e ndi d.Sheha ds e e nKyl e Gr i f f ongoi nt ot hega z e bo.La t e r —t oomuc hl a t e r —s heha ds e e nMa r t i nl e a vet he s t r uc t ur e . Za ma r at a ppe dhe rl ong,s c a r l e t t i ppe dna i l sa ga i ns tt hegl a s s ,f r owni ng. Thef ool !Coul dn' thes e et ha tt hewoma nwa si nl ovewi t hhe rbl ondl ove r ,a ndhe wi t hhe r ?Za ma r aha de xc e l l e nti ns t i nc t swhe ni tc a met oa dve nt ur e r s ,be i ngone he r s e l f ,a nds hewa sc e r t a i nLuc a sKe ndr i c kwoul dn' tha vec a r e di fKyl eGr i f f on l os te ve r ype nnys heha d. Gl a nc i ngba c kove rhe rs houl de r ,Za ma r al ooke da tt het umbl e dbe dwi t h l e s st ha nhe rus ua ls a t i s f a c t i on.Ma r t i nwa st hor oughl yunde rhe rs pe l l ;s hewoul d be toni t .I nde e d,s hedi dbe toni t .Ye thewa ss t i l lde t e r mi ne dt oma r r yhi sbl ue bl oode dKyl e . I twa sat r oubl i ngs i t ua t i on.Za ma r ac a r e f ul l ywe i ghe dt hea t t r a c t i onsof Ke ndr i c ka ga i ns tt hepowe rofaf e wmi l l i ondol l a r sa ndc a meupwi t ha nune qua l ba l a nc e .Aba ndoni nge ve r yt hi ngf oral ove rwa sf oundbe t we e nt hec ove r sof s omec hi l d' ss t or y,ne ve ri nr e a ll i f e .Wi t hmone ya ndpowe rawoma nc oul dbuy a l lt hel ove r ss hewa nt e d;wi t houte i t he r ,s hewa sl i ke l yt of i ndhe r s e l ft hr own ove rf orayounge r ,pr e t t i e r ,a ndwe a l t hi e rwoma ns ome whe r edownt hel i ne . Za ma r awe ntt ohe rc l os e ta ndt hr e w ope nt hedoor s ,t he nbe ga nr a pi dl y

c ha ngi ngf r om he rs i l kni ght gown.Some t hi ngha dt obedone ,a ndqui c kl y.Ma r t i nwa st oobul l he a de dt ogi veupKyl e ,a nds hej us tmi ghtbepe r s ua de dt ogi vei n t ohi m. I tha dt obes t oppe d. " Some t hi ng i sbot he r i ng you, "J os h mur mur e d,ki s s i ng hi swi f e ' sba r e s houl de r ." Yous houl ds t i l lbea s l e e p. " Ra ve ndi dn' tpr ot e s twhe nhepul l e dhe rove ront opofhi m,j us tf ol de dhe r a r msove rhi sc he s ta nds mi l e ddowna thi m." Sos houl dyou.Ir e a ds ome whe r e t ha tme ni nt he i rt hi r t i e sbe gi nl os i ngs t a mi na . " " I st ha tapoi nt e dr e f e r e nc e ? "hea s ke d,wounde d. " Iwa sj us tt hi nki ngt he ys houl dha veus e dyoui nt ha ts t udy.Youwoul d ha veme s s e dupt he i rc ur ve . " Hec huc kl e ds of t l y." Ac t ua l l yi t ' sa l lduet omybe a ut i f ulwi f e .Ij us tc a n' t s e e mt oge te noughofhe r . " Ra ve nt r a c e dhi ss mi l i ngl i pswi t haf i nge r ,t he nki s s e dt he m." Good, "s he mur mur e d. " Nowt e l lmewha t ' sbot he r i ngyou, "heur ge dqui e t l y. Shegr i ma c e d." Ca nIf a l lba c konwoma n' si nt ui t i on? "s hea s ke d. " Iwon' tobj e c t , "het ol dhe r ." ButI ' mwi l l i ngt obe ti t ' smor ea l ongt hel i ne s ofagoode xa ge nt ' se xpe r i e nc ea ndi ns t i nc t s .Anyt hi ngc onc r e t e ? " " No.No,butIf e e lwe ' r emi s s i ngs ome t hi ngt ha tc oul dbei mpor t a nt .Some t hi nga boutRome .Hej us ts e e msal i t t l e. . .we l l ,of fc e nt e r .Anddi dyounot i c e howhewa swa t c hi ngKyl el a s tni ght ? " " Inot i c e d.ButLucs a i ds ome t hi nga bouthi sha vi ngpr opos e dt oKyl ea whi l eba c k.Coul dt ha tbei t ? " Ra ve nwa ss t r uggl i ngs i l e nt l yt obr i nghe ri ns t i nc t sa boutpe opl ei nt of oc us . " Hel ooke da the ra si fs hewe r eoneoft hos et r ophi e sofhi s .Hewa s n' tj e a l ousof Luc ;hedi dn' te ve ns e e mt ot a kea nynot i c eofhi m.Ande xc e ptwhe nHe rHi ghne s sha dhe rc l a wsi nt ohi m,hewa t c he dKyl ea l lt het i mes hewa si nt her oom. " " Ands o? " " We l l ,t he r ewa ss ome t hi ngi mpl a c a bl ei nhi se ye s . "Ra ve ns hookhe rhe a d. " Da mmi t ,Ij us tc a n' tge taf i xoni t .ButI ' vea na wf ulf e e l i ngt ha tt he r e ' l lbes ome ki ndofc onf r ont a t i onbe f or ewea l lge toutofhe r e —a ndi twon' tha veve r ymuc h t odowi t ht ha ts t ol e na r t . " J os hc oul dn' ta ddt ot ha t ,buthet ooks e r i ousnot i c eofRa ve n' sa nxi e t y.She ha de xc e l l e nti ns t i nc t s ,ye a r sofe xpe r i e nc ei nde a l i ngwi t hc ompl e xpe opl e ,a nd her e s pe c t e dhe rve r y,ve r ymuc h.Ands i nc eLuc a swa soneofhi sbe s tf r i e nds , a ndKyl ewa sgr owi ngs t e a di l yi nhi se s t i ma t i on,hewa nt e dne i t he roft he mt oge t hur ti na nywa y. " I t ' sLuc ' ss how, "hes a i ds l owl y. Ra ve nc he we donhe rl owe rl i p." Iknow.Wes houl dt a l kt ohi ma ndKyl e f i r s t .But —" " Re i nf or c e me nt s ? " " We ' r eba t t i ngat hous a nds of a r , "Ra ve ns a i d." I ' dha t et obl owt hea ve r a ge byl os i ngoneofus . " I twa sas obe r i ngt hought .The yha dbe e nr e l a t i ve l yc ha r me ds i nc eHa ge n ha df i r s tdr a f t e dt he m.Butt he ywe r epl a yi ngs omepot e nt i a l l yve r yr oughga me s , a ndt hel a wofa ve r a ge swa sa ga i ns tt he m.

" Kyl e ? " Sheha dha donl yaf e wmi nut e si nwhi c ht ode c i dehowmuc ht ot e l lLuc a s . Andi twa s n' taque s t i onofl yi ngt ohi m ore ve nofhol di ngba c ki nf or ma t i ons he wa spe r f e c t l ywi l l i ngt os ha r ewi t hhi m;s hewa sj us tc onc e r ne dt ha tRome ' sf i xa t i ononhe rc oul di nt e r f e r ewi t hLuc ' swor khe r e .I nt hee ndi twa sbe c a us eofhi s wor kt ha ts hede c i de dt ot e l lhi mwha tha dha ppe ne d.Hene e de dt oha vea l la va i l a bl ei nf or ma t i on,pe r i od. " Di dyout e a rKe l s e ya wa yf r om hi sc of f e ea ga i n? "s hea s ke d,s mi l i nga s Luc a ss a tdownbe s i dehe r . " Fi e l dr a t i onst hi st i me ,hes a i d.Andhedi dn' ts oundt ooups e ta bouti t . Wha t ' sha ppe ne d? " " Ma r t i nwa she r e , "s hes a i dr e a di l y. " Heups e tyou. "Luc a s ' sf a c i a lmus c l e st i ght e ne d." Why? " De l i be r a t e l yl i ght e ni ngt hemome nt ,s hes a i d," Hec a l l e dyouagi gol o. " Af t e ra ni ns t a ntLuc a s ' st e ns i one a s e da ndhes mi l e d." Hemus tha vepul l e d qui t eaf e ws t r i ngst oge tt ha tonawe e ke nd.Sohedi dc he c ki nt omyba c kgr ound. " " Hec e r t a i nl ydi d.Andhec oul dn' twa i tt ot e l lmeyouwe r edi s gr a c e d, dr umme doutoft hepol i c ef or c e ,a ndha vebe e ne a r ni ngal i vi ngt he s el a s tt e n ye a r sbybe i ngni c et or i c hwome n. " Luc a ss hookhi she a d." I ' l ls a yt hi sf orHa ge n:Whe nhepl a nt sI nf or ma t i on, hedoe sas we l lj ob.Romeboughti t ? " " Oh,ye s .I t ' ss ome t hi ngheunde r s t a ndsve r ywe l l . "Kyl el i f t e dabr owa the r l ove ." Goodt hi ngyouwa r ne dmea boutt ha tf a l s et r a i l . " " Youc a na s kJ os h, "Luc a ss a i d,gr a ve l ybutwi t hat wi nkl e . Kyl es mi l e da thi m,a ndhe rt ur quoi s ee ye swe r ea l i ght ." I ' dbe l i e veyoui f yout ol dmet hee a r t hwa sf l a t ,da r l i ng. " " Oh,da mn,Iwa ss a vi ngt ha tf orl a t e ra sat e s t . "Buthi se ye swe r ea l i ght , t oo,a ndhi ski s swa swa r ma ndt e nde r .The nhes t udi e dhe rf a c e ." The r e ' ss ome t hi ngmor e .Wha te l s edi dRomes a y? " Shel ooke ddowna tt hedi nne rj a c ke ti nhe rl a p,s moot hi ngt hema t e r i a lwi t h he rf i nge r s .Luc a swa s n' tgoi ngt ol i ket hi s ." Hei nt e ndst oma r r yme ,Luc .He e ve nma deat hr e a t ,a ndhes ounde dpr e t t ys ur eofhi ms e l f . " " Wha tt hr e a t ? " Kyl ewonde r e dva gue l yi fLuc a sc oul dpos s i bl yknow j us thow me na c i ng hi sl ow,c ompe l l i ngvoi c ec oul dbe c omeunde rc e r t a i nc i r c ums t a nc e s .Li ket he s e . Ke e pi nghe rownvoi c ec a s ua l ,s hes a i d," Het ol dmet ha tmyf a mi l ye xpe c t e dme t oma r r yhi ma ndt ha tI ' dbedi s i nhe r i t e di fIdi dn' t . "Shegl a nc e da s i dea nds a w t ha thi sf a c ewa se xpr e s s i onl e s s . " Woul dyourf a t he rdot ha t ? " Kyl ec ons i de r e dt heque s t i on." I t ' spos s i bl e ,ma ybee ve nl i ke l y.Eve n t houghhedoe s n' tt a kemuc hi nt e r e s ti nme ,I ' venot i c e dt ha thef oundqui t eaf e w oppor t uni t i e sf ormet os e eMa r t i nt he s el a s tye a r s .Heha s n' ts a i da nyt hi ngt ome di r e c t l y,buthec ompl e t e l ya ppr ove sofMa r t i n.Andbl a c kma i lwoul dbej us thi s s t yl e —t ot i dyupmyl i f ea l li nt hegood:na meofourf a mi l y,youunde r s t a nd. " Luc a swa ss i l e ntf ors ol ongt ha ts hel ooke da thi ma nxi ous l y." Luc ?Fora l l i nt e nt sa ndpur pos e s ,Iwa sdi s i nhe r i t e dye a r sa go.I tdoe s n' tbot he rme ,a ndI woul dn' tha vema r r i e dMa r t i ni na nyc a s e .Sur e l yyour e a l i z et ha t ? " Hehugge dhe rs wi f t l y." Ofc our s eIr e a l i z eI t .l ove .I t ' sj us tt ha tIdon' twa nt t obet hec a us eofaf i na lbr e a kwi t hyourf a mi l y. "

Se r i ous ,s hega z e da thi m." Mypa r e nt s ' l a c kofi nt e r e s ti nmeha shur tmor e t ha nonc e ,butnot hi ngwi l lc ha nget ha tnow.Thef i na lbr e a kc a meal ongt i me a go,Luc .Forye a r sIt houghtt ha ti twa s n' tna t ur a lnott ol ovemypa r e nt s —but t ha t ' spa s t .I ' mgr a t e f ult ot he mf orgi vi ngmewha tt he ydi d,butIdon' twa nta nyt hi ngt he yc a nof f e rnow.Ij us twa ntyou. " Hus ki l yhes a i d," You' vegotme ,l ove . "Heki s s e dhe r ,bot hoft he ma wa r e ofas wi f tr i s eofde s i r e ." It hi nkt hi sga z e bo' sbe wi t c he d, "hea dde dabi tmor e hoa r s e l y. Kyl es mi l e da thi m." Ic a s tas pe l loni twhe nIwa saki d, "s het ol dhi m gr a ve l y." Thi swa smyma gi cpl a c e ,r e me mbe r ?Thepl a c ewhe r edr e a mst ook wi ng. " Hec huc kl e ds of t l y." Yours pe l l sl a s tal ongt i me ,Is e e . " " Be toni t , "s hewhi s pe r e d,ki s s i nghi m. " Ei ght t hi r t yi nt hemor ni ng, "ade e pma l evoi c es a i ds ome wha tdr yl y. Wi t houtt a ki nghi se ye sf r om Kyl e ' supt ur ne df a c e ,Luc a ss a i d," Goa wa y, J os h. " " No, "hi se mpl oye rs a i dpol i t e l y." I ' vec omet odi s c us ss t r a t e gy,whe t he r youl i kei tornot .Andt ot e l lyou,Kyl e ,t ha tHe rHi ghne s sha sbe e nl ooki ngf or you,a ndRa ve nt hi nksyout hr e ewoul ddobe t t e ra l one . " Looki ngr e l uc t a nt l ya tt heot he rma n,Luc a ss a i d," Dobe t t e ra twha t ? " " Fi ndi ngoutwhe r et hepr i nc e s ss t a ndsi na l lt hi s , "J os ht ol dhi m,s i t t i ng downont hebe nc ha c r os sf r omt he ma nds t r e t c hi nghi sl ongl e gsoutc omf or t a bl y. Hewa shol di ngamugofs t e a mi ngc of f e ei noneha nd,c ont e mpl a t i ngi tt hought f ul l y." She ' spr oba bl yr i ghtt oo.Andwene e dt oknow,Luc . " Kyl egott ohe rf e e t ." Ye s ,wedone e dt oknow, "Shel ooke da tJ os h." St r a t e gy? " Her e t ur ne dhe rl ook,hi sc oolbl uee ye swa r mi ngabi t ." Ra ve nf e e l sas t or m c omi ng,a nds he ' sus ua l l yr i ghta boutt hi ngsl i ket ha t . " Kyl ef r owne dal i t t l e . " As khe ra bouti t , "J os hi nvi t e d." Ma ybeyout woc a nputyourhe a dst oge t he ra ndf i gur eoutourhos t . " Re me mbe r i ngt hepe c ul i a re xpr e s s i oni nRome ' sc ur i ous ,da r ke ye s ,Kyl e de c i de dt ha tmi ghtbebe s t .Shewa sune a s ya bouthi m,ve r yune a s y." Ri ght . "She l e a ne dove rt oki s sLuc a s ." Se eyoul a t e r . " Hewa t c he dhe rdi s a ppe a r ,s t i l lhol di nghi sj a c ke t ,t he nl ooke da tJ os hwi t h pa i ne de ye s . Smi l i ng,J os hs a l ut e dhi mge nt l ywi t hhi sc of f e emug." Nowyouknowhow If e l ta f t e rIme tRa ve n.The s ebl oodya s s i gnme nt sofHa ge n' sdoge ti nt hewa y, don' tt he y? " Luc a s ' sonl ya ns we rwa sahe a vys i gh, Kyl ef oundRa ve nf i r s t ,s i nc et heot he rwoma nha dc omeoutont ot het e r r a c el ooki ngf orhe r .The ybot hs a tont hel ow s t onewa l l ,f a re noughf r om t he hous es ot ha tt he yc oul dn' tbeove r he a r di ft he ys pokei nl owvoi c e s ,whi c ht he y di d. " Za ma r awa nt sme ? "Kyl ea s ke d. " Tha t ' swha ts hes a i d.She ' sa tt hebuf f e ta tt hemome nt ,butwehe a r dhe r a s kt woma i dsi ft he y' ds e e nyou.Thi nks hewa nt st oha vei toutwi t hyou? " " AboutMa r t i n?Idon' tknow.Hes a i dt ha ts hekne w hei nt e nde dt oma r r y

me . " " I nt e nde d? "Ra ve nl i f t e daf l yi ngbr ow." Soundsl i ket hema n' sma deuphi s mi nd. " " Si c ke ni ng,i s n' ti t ? "Kyl es hookhe rhe a d." Il i ght e ne di tabi twhe nIt ol d Luc ,butMa r t i ne ve nt r i e dbl a c kma i l .Thr e a t e ne dmewi t hdi s i nhe r i t a nc e . " " Ca nhedot ha t ? " " Myf a t he rc a n,a ndhepr oba bl ywoul d. "Shegr i nne df a i nt l y." Ij us tr e a l i z e d.I fwef i ndt ha ts t uf f ,a ndMa r t i ni sa r r e s t e d,Fa t he rwi l lc e r t a i nl yr e e xa mi ne t hi spe r f e c tma t c hofhi s .Hemi ghte ve nbepe r s ua de dt os e eLuci nt hel i ghtof s a vi oroft hef a mi l yna me .Sc a nda lr ubsof f ,youknow,e s pe c i a l l yi fyous t a ndt oo c l os et oi t . " Ra ve ns mi l e da the r ." So,nomor ef a i r yt a l e s ? " " Ther e a lt hi ng, "Kyl es a i d," i sal otbe t t e r . "Shel ooke da tt heot he rwoma n, whoms hef e l ts oc l os et onow." Wa ntt obemyma t r onofhonor ? " " I ' dl ovet o, "Ra ve ns a i dpr ompt l y. " Good.Unf or t una t e l yweha vet oge tt hr ought hi swe e ke ndf i r s t .Wha t ' st hi s a boutyouf e e l i ngas t or mc omi ng? " " Rome .Ands i nc eyou' vet ol dmea bouthi si nt e nt i ons ,I ' mf e e l i nge ve n mor ea l a r m.We r eyous uppos e dt obebl i ndt oHe rHi ghne s s ,byt hewa y? " " Ami s t r e s swoul dbenoneofmyc onc e r n,i fyoupl e a s e . " " Ba s t a r d, "Ra ve ns a i dwi t houthe a t . " Ye s ,me di e va l .Hehone s t l ydi dn' tknow,t hough,t ha tZa ma r aha ds ome pr e t t ype r ma ne nti nt e nt i onsofhe rown. " Ra ve npur s e dhe rl i psa ndga z e di nt os pa c e ." Fi r s thi sa ppa r e ntbe l i e fi nt hi s r e i nc a r na t i onbus i ne s s ,whi c hheope nl ya dmi t t e dt ol a s tni ghta f t e ryoul e f tt he r oom.The nhi sobvi ouss e xua lr e a c t i ont oHe rHi ghne s s ,whi c hi sj us tabi tt oo e xc e s s i vef orhi mt or e a s ona bl ybe l i e ves he ' sonl yami s t r e s s .Andt he nhi si nt e nt i ont oma r r yyou,e ve ni fheha st ous ebl a c kma i l .Idon' tl i kei t .Notonebi t . " " Oh,l i s t e nt owha tLuca ndIf oundout . "Shequi c kl yt ol dRa ve na boutt he wi l la ndbook,a nda boutt he i rde duc t i onsr e ga r di ngRome ' sa ppa r e ntde s i r et o pr e s e r vehi sf a mi l yt r e a s ur e sbyus i ngt hes t ol e na r t wor k. AndRa ve ndi dn' tl i ket ha t ,e i t he r .Butbe f or es hec oul dc omme nt .He rHi ghne s sf oundt he m. " Ah,Mi s sGr i f f on. "Shel ooke dpoi nt e dl ya tRa ve n." I fyouwi l le xc us eus ? " Ra ve ns mi l e dge nt l y." I ' l ls t a y.Sur e l yyoudon' tmi nd? " Za ma r awe i ghe dhe rf oramome nt ,t he ns hr ugge d." Asyoupl e a s e .Pe r ha ps , t hough,Mi s sGr i f f onwoul dpr e f e rt oke e pt hi sdi s c us s i onbe t we e nhe r s e l fa nd me . " " Nota ta l l , "Kyl es a i dpol i t e l y. Bl a c ke ye sf l a s he da tt he m bot h." Ve r ywe l l ,t he n.Myde a r ,your e a l l y s houl dt a keyourma na ndl e a ve . " Kyl es t udi e dhe rt hought f ul l y." Oh?Andwhyi st ha t ? " Za ma r al a ughe dwi t hc a r e f ull i ght ne s s ." Be c a us eMa r t i nha st hea bs ur di de a t ha thec a npe r s ua deyout oma r r yhi m.Nons e ns e ,ofc our s e ,butme na r es ome t i me ss i l l y. " Ra ve nwa sga z i ngc r i t i c a l l ya tt het oe sofhe rboot s . Kyl es mi l e df a i nt l y." Ye s ,t he ya r e .St i l l ,Iwoul dn' twor r yi fIwe r eyou.I don' twa ntMa r t i n,a ndyouc e r t a i nl ys e e mt oha vehi mi nt hr a l l . " Ra ve nc oughe da ndl ooke de ve nmor eI nt e nt l ya the rboot s . He rvoi c egr owi nge ve ns we e t e r ,Za ma r as a i d," Hei save r yde t e r mi ne d

ma n,myde a r ,a ndde t e r mi ne dme na r eda nge r ousonc et he y' ves e tt he i rmi ndson s ome t hi ng—ors ome one .And,f oryouri nf or ma t i on,Ma r t i nwon' tl e a vemybe d unt i lIs a y.Wi f eormi s t r e s s ,Iwi l lc ont r olhi m. " " The nwhywor r y? "Kyl ea s ke dpr a c t i c a l l y. " Iwoul dpr e f e rwi f e .Wi t hyougone ,t ha t ' swha tI ' l lbe . " Af t e ramome ntKyl es a i d,notwi t houts ympa t hy," Ic oul dgi vehi ma nhe i r . Youc oul dn' t .I st ha ti t ? " Za ma r as t i f f e ne d.The r ewa saf l a s hofs ome t hi ngi nhe re ye sa ndt he n, a br upt l y,s hel ooke dmor ena t ur a lt ha ne i t he roft het wowome nha ds e e nhe rbe f or e ." You' r er i ght .Ic a n' tha vec hi l dr e n. " Kyl enodde d." Is e e .We l l ,your e a l l ydon' tha vet owor r ya boutme .I ' mi n l ove ,Za ma r a .Ma r t i nc oul dof f e rmet hee a r t ha ndi twoul dn' tma kea nydi f f e r e nc e .Luca ndIwi l lbel e a vi ngf i r s tt hi ngMonda ymor ni ng.Aspl a nne d. " Za ma r anodde ds udde nl y." Ye s ,Is e e .Your e a l t ydol oveyourma n.I tha ppe ns .I ' l lt r us tyou. " " Tha nkyou, "Kyl es a i dgr a ve l y. Agl i ntofwi c ke dhumors honei nZa ma r a ' se ye s ." The r ea r ewa ysofhol di ngama nt oyours i de ,myde a r .Ands i nc eI ' l lne ve rha veada ught e r. . . "She l e a ne df or wa r da ndwhi s pe r e ds of t l yi nas t a r t l e dKyl e ' se a r . Ra ve n,gl a nc i ngs i de wa ys ,s a whe rf r i e nd' se ye swi de n. The n,wi t hal a ugha nda na l mos ta ut oma t i cl ookofs pi t ea tRa ve n,Za ma r a s we pti nt ot hehous e . " Goodhe a ve ns , "Kyl es a i df a i nt l y. Ra ve nwa sl a ughi ng,c ur i ous ." Wha t ? " Kyl ec l e a r e dhe rt hr oa t ." Umm. . .a s kmea ga i ns ome t i me ,huh?It hi nkIj us t f oundoutwhyMa r t i ngoe si nt oada z ewhe ns het ouc he shi m. " " Tha t ' sones e c r e t , "Ra ve ns a i dde f i ni t e l y," I ' m nota boutt ol e tyouke e pt o your s e l f . " Kyl egi ggl e d." La t e r ,a l lr i ght ?Iha vet oma kes ur ei twor ksf i r s t . "The ns he bur s toutl a ughi ngi ne a r ne s t . " Hec oul dbehe r ei naf e whour s , "J os hs a i dne ut r a l l y. Le a ni ngba c ka ga i ns tt her a i l i ngoft hega z e bo,Luc a sf r owne d." Iknow.I wonde ri fi t ' sne c e s s a r y,t hough.We ' r ege t t i ngj umpy,ma ybet ha t ' sa l li ti s .We ha vet of i ndt ha tma s k,t hec a c he —orbot h.Not hi ngs a yst he r eha st obet r oubl e . " " Buti ft he r ei st r oubl e ?Ke l s e y' sda mne dgood,webot hknow t ha t .Za c h woul dbeI ns ur a nc e .Wec oul dn' tr i s kc omi ngi nhe r ewi t hgunsa ndwa l ki e t a l ki e s ,s ower e a l l ydon' thav ei ns ur a nc e .Andi fwe ' r egoi ngt os e a r c ht hehous e t oni ght ,wema ywe l lne e da l lt hehe l pwec a nge t . " " Gua r dspa t r ola f t e rt hehous ei sl oc ke dup, "Luc a snot e d. " Ye s .He ' l ls l i pi nbe f or e . " Luc a ss i ghe de xpl os i ve l y." Iwa nti tt obeov e r .Iwa ntt ha tba s t a r dbe hi nd ba r s .Thewa yhel ooksa tKyl ei s n' tnor ma l .Ic oul dunde r s t a ndi fhel ove dhe r , butIdon' tt hi nkhef e e l sa nye mot i onf orhe ra ta l l .Hej us t —t hi nks .Col dbl oode dl y. " " Ra ve ns a i ds ome t hi nga l ongt hos el i ne s .I t ' swor r yi nghe r . " " I t ' swor r yi ngmet oo.Kyl ema del i ghtofi t ,butIt hi nkhes c a r e dhe rout he r eal i t t l ewhi l ea go.Het ol dhe rs he ' dma r r yhi m,t he nt hr e a t e ne dhe rwi t hdi s i nhe r i t a nc e . "

J os hwhi s t l e ds of t l y." Rut hl e s s . " " I ' l ls a y. " Ca l ml yJ os hs a i d," He rf a t he rwon' tdot ha t ,youknow. " Luc a sl ooke da thi mc ur i ous l y." Kyl et hi nkshewi l l . " Smi l i ngal i t t l e ,J os hs a i d," No.He ' soft heol dgua r d:Fa mi l yf i r s ta ndda mn e ve r ybodye l s e .Di s i nhe r i thi sonl yc hi l d?Te r r i bl es c a nda l .He ' dputagoodf a c e oni ti fs hema r r i e dt hebut l e r . " Luc a sgr i nne dal i t t l e ." We l l ,s he ' sma r r yi ngme .Ones t e pbe l owt hebut l e r . " " Don' tber i di c ul ous , "J os hs a i d." You' r egoi ngt os a vehi sda ught e rf r omt he c ons e que nc e sofRome ' sf ol l y.Youmi ghte ve nge tas mi l eoutofhi m.Congr a t ul a t i ons ,byt hewa y. " " Tha nks . " " Sha l lwegoa ndf i ndourl a di e sbe f or et he ygi vei nt ot he i ri ns t i nc t sa nd s c r a t c hZa ma r a ' se ye sout ? " " Is uppos ei twoul dbeba df or mt ol e tt he m. " " Notc r i c ke ta ta l l . " Ke l s e ys a tba c ka ndputhi sbi noc ul a r sa s i de ." Lotofme e t i ngsgoi ngon downt he r e , "her e por t e di nt ohi smi c r ophone . " Me e t i ngsbe t we e nwhom? "Ha ge na s ke domi nous l y. " Kyl ea ndRome .Kyl ea ndLuc .J os ha ndLuc .Ra ve na ndKyl e .Ra ve n, Kyl e ,a ndZa ma r a . "Hepa us e dt or e f l e c tf oramome nt ." Youknow,t he yj us t don' ta c tl i kea ge nt s . "Heputt hee a r pi e c eba c ki npl a c ewhe nt hes put t e r i ngha d s ubs i de d. " I sa nybodywor k i ng? "Ha ge na s ke d. " Be a t st hehe l loutofme .Lucr e por t e di nal i t t l ewhi l ea go,not hi ngne w. Exc e ptt hos ef e nc e s ,Me nde d,I ' ds a y. " The r ewa samome ntofs i l e nc e ,t he nHa ge ngr a s pe dhi sme a ni ng." Ke ndr i c k a ndMi s sGr i f f on? " " Uhhuh.The yha vet ha tl ook. " Ha ge ns i ghe d." Whe ndoe sKe ndr i c kc he c ki na ga i n? " " Af t e rl unc h.We ' r ea l lr i ghtunl e s sRomewonde r swhyt he r e ' ss omuc ha c t i vi t yi nt hema z e .Is uppos ehe ' l lputi tdownt oyoungl ove ,t hough. " " Ar et he ypl anni ngt owor k? " " Thepl a ni st os e a r c ht hehous et oni ght .Idon' tknow,t hough,bos s .I t ' sa pr e t t ys l i mc ha nc e .Bi ghous e . " " I t ' sa l lwe ' vegot .Bui l daf i r eunde rt he m. " " The y' l ldowha tt he yc a n.Youknowt ha t . " " Ye s .Re por ti nwhe nyou' vet a l ke dt oKe ndr i c ka ga i n. " " Aye ,a ye . " Ke l s e yputt hehe a ds e ta s i de ,t he npi c ke dupt hebi noc ul a r sa ga i na nd l ooke da tt hehous e .Hef oc us e dona nuppe rwi ndow,f r owni ng. Ma r t i nRomewa sl ooki ngdownont het e r r a c ewhe r eRa ve na ndKyl es a t t a l ki ng. Be i ngagoodhos t ,Ma r t i nRomeha da va i l a bl enume r ousa c t i vi t i e st os a ve hi sgue s t sf r om pos s i bl ebor e dom.The r ewe r ehor s e sont hee s t a t e .Te nni s .A he a t e dpool .Eve nas ma l lgol fc our s e . Luc a s ,Kyl e ,J os h,a ndRa ve nwe ntr i di ng,de c i di ngt ha tt he ymi ghta swe l l

goonbe i ngaf our s ome .Se ve r a lot he rgue s t swe nta l ong,whi c hpr e ve nt e dpr i va t edi s c us s i ons . Lunc hwa sadr a wnouta f f a i rwi t ha l lgue s t sa t t e ndi ng,a ndi twa swe l li nt o t hea f t e r noonbe f or eLuc a sa ndKyl ec oul ds l i pa wa yt ot hema z ea ga i nf ort he i r c he c ki nwi t hKe l s e y. Wha theha dt ot e l lt he ms e ntt he m ba c kt ot hehous ei nas obe rf r a meof mi nd.The yf oundapr i va t emome ntt or e por tt oJ os ha ndRa ve n,s obe r i ngt he ma s we l l . " Hec oul dn' tha vehe a r da nyt hi ng, "Kyl emus e da st hef ouroft he ms t ood a l onei nt het r ophyr oom. Ra ve nbi taknuc kl et hought f ul l y." Ma ybehedi dn' tha vet o.J us ts e e i ngus wi t hHe rHi ghne s sma yha veuns e t t l e dhi m.Weha vet oa s s umes o,a nywa y,a nd beongua r d. " J os hl ooke da tLuc a sa ndr a i s e daqui z z i c a lbr ow." Za c h? " " It hi nks o.J us ti nc a s e . " Ra ve nl a ughe ds of t l y." Good.I ' mc ur i oust os e ei fTe ddyc ome sa l ong. " Luc a ss i ghe da st heot he rt wowe ntt ous et hephonei nt he i rbe dr oom." J us t a swe l l ,Is uppos e .Whe nt hi sga ngge t st oge t he r ,t hi ngsus ua l l yha ppe n. " Ta ki nga dva nt a geoft hemome nt sa l one ,Kyl es l i dhe ra r msa r oundhi s wa i s t ." Wha t ' st hi sa boutTe ddyc omi nga l ong? " " Za c hwi l lt r yt oke e phe routoft hi s , "Luc a se xpl a i ne d." Hedoe s n' twa nt he ri nhi ski ndofj ungl e . " Kyl et houghta boutt ha t ." Youme a nbe c a us eoft heda nge r ? " " Ye s .Za c hwa sbor nt oi t .Da nge r ,Ime a n.Andi t ' sa ga i ns thi sve r yna t ur e t oa l l ows ome onehel ove st of ol l owt hes a met r a i l s .He ' spr oba bl ypa c i ngl i kea c a ge dc a tr i ghtnowbe c a us ehei s n' the r ewa t c hi ngove rJ os h.Andme . " " Wi l lTe ddyc omea l ong? " " Oh,ye s . " Cur i ous l ys hes a i d," Yous oundc e r t a i n. " " Ia m.Te ddyi st heonl ype r s onI ' vee ve rknownwhoc a nma keZa c ha c t a ga i ns thi sownna t ur ea nyt i mes hewa nt s .J os hc a ndoi ts ome t i me s — butnota l l t het i me . " Shes mi l e dupa thi m." You' r ea l lve r yc l os e ,a r e n' tyou? " " We l l ,we ' vebe e nt oge t he rf orye a r s ,a ndi ns omepr e t t ys t i c kys i t ua t i ons f r om t i met ot i me . "Het houghta boutt he i rr e l a t i ons hi ps ,r e a l i z i ngt ha tKyl e wa nt e dt ounde r s t a nd,a ndt r yi ngt of r a meagoode xpl a na t i on." Igue s sJ os hi s our —pi vot .Andnotbe c a us ehe ' st hebos s .Heknowst hi ngsa bouta l lofust ha t heke e pst ohi ms e l f .Fori ns t a nc e ,Iknowheha s n' tt ol da nyonebutRa ve na bout t ha tf a vorhedi df ormet e nye a r sa go. " " Hehe l pe dyout hr ought ha tt i me ,di dn' the ? " Luc a sbr us he das t r a ndofha i rba c kf r om he rf a c e ,hi sf i nge r sl i nge r i ngt o t ouc hhe rc he e k." Ye s ,hedi d.Hedi dn' ta s kque s t i ons ,buthel i s t e ne dwhe nIgot dr unkoneni ght . "Hegr i nne dal i t t l e ." Hee ve ngotdr unka l ongwi t hme .Now t ha t ' sf r i e nds hi p. " Kyl es mi l e dupa thi m." I ' mgl a dhewa st he r ef oryou. " " Soa mI .I fheha dn' ts t e a di e dmet he n,Godknowswha tIwoul dha ve done . "Luc a sdr e wade e pbr e a t h." AndnowI ' vegotyou,l ove . " " Youc e r t a i nl yha ve , "s hemur mur e d.

Ei ght Kyl ema na ge dt os t udyt heRomef a mi l ybooks e ve r a lt i me sdur i ngt heda y, di s a ppoi nt e dnott of i nds omec l uea st owhe r eRomemi ghtha vehi dde nt hea r t wor k.Shef oundpl e nt yofI nf or ma t i on,mos tofi ts l a nt e dt os howt hef a mi l yi na goodl i ghtnoma t t e rwha t ;s hef oundt heRomec r e s t ,whi c hwa sa ne l a bor a t e l y or na t eRs e twi t hi nas e r i e sofdoubl e l i ne dboxe s ;s hee ve nf oundamot t o,or r a t he ral i t t l ej i ngl et ha toneofMa r t i n' sa nc e s t or smus tha vepe nne da ndha di nc l ude di nt hebook. Butnot hi nga boutahi dde nr oomorva ul t .I twa si mpor t a ntt oKyl et ha tLuc a s ' swor khe r ebec ompl e t e ds uc c e s s f ul l y.Shebe l i e ve di twa st hel a s tr e mna ntof t hepa s tt ha tne e de dt obes e t t l e d. Butbyt het i mef ordi nne rc a met ha tni ght ,t he ys t i l lha dc omenoc l os e rt o ha vi nga nyi de awhe r et ol ook.Luc a ss l i ppe doutt ot hema z et or e por taf i na l t i met oKe l s e yt ha tt he yha dnoc hoi c ebutt os e a r c ht oni ght ,r e t ur ni ngt ot e l lt he ot he r st ha tZa c ha ndhi sne wwi f eha di nde e da r r i ve d.Be t we e nt he mt he yha dde c i de dwhe r ebe s tt os l i pt hene wa r r i va l si nt ot hehous ea ndwhe n. Al lt he yne e de dwa sas l e e pi nghous e hol d. Thepa r t ydr a gge don.Kyl ewa sa tf i r s tr e l i e ve dt ha tZa ma r aha dr e doubl e d he re f f or t st oke e pRomee ns na r e d,s t a yi ngwi t hhi mc ons t a nt l ya ndke e pi nghe r ha ndsof fot he rwome n' sme n.Buta st heni ghtwor eon,s hebe ga nt obeune a s y. Ands hewa s n' tt heonl yone . " Looka thi m, "Ra ve nmur mur e da tonepoi nt ." Hi se ye sa r egl a s s y.She ' s gothi mr i ghtont hee dge . " " Butont hee dgeofwha t ? "Luc a sr e s ponde ds of t l y.Hedr e w Kyl eabi t ne a r e rt ohi ss i de ,wor r i e dbe c a us et ha tgl a s s ys t a r eoc c a s i ona l l ywa nde r e di nhe r di r e c t i on. J os hwa ss t udyi ngt heol de rma na c r os st her oom,a ndhi se xpr e s s i onwa sa bi tgr i m." Idon' tknow,butIdon' tl i kei t .It hi nki t ' dbebe s tf ora l lc onc e r ne di f wege tt hi sj obwr a ppe dupt oni ght . " " Youwon' tge ta na r gume ntf r om me . "Lucc he c ke dhi swa t c h." Mi dni ght . Thepa r t y' sbr e a ki ngupqui c kl y.Za c ha ndTe ddys houl dbewa i t i ng. " " Me e tyoui nyourr oom, "J os hmur mur e d,a ndgui de dhi swi f eof fi nt ot he dwi ndl i ngc r owd. Luc a sa ndKyl ea l s odr i f t e dof f ,l e a vi ngt her oomwi t ht hea bs or be de xpr e s s i onsofl ove r swi t hpr i va t et hi ngst odoont he i rmi nds .The ywor ke dt he i rwa y t owa r dt hef a re ndoft hehous e ,movi ngmor equi c kl ywhe nt he y' dl e f tt hegue s t s be hi nd,a nds l i ppe ddowns e ve r a lde s e r t e dha l l wa ysbe f or ee nt e r i ngas ma l lr oom. I twa sapa r l or t yper oom,f or ma l ,a ndwi t ht hea i rofbe i ngl i t t l eus e d.Fr e nc h door sope ne doutont ot hes e c ondoft het hr e et e r r a c e s ,t hi sonec ons t r uc t e dwi t ha vi e woft her os ega r de n. " Wec a nge tups t a i r st oourr oom f r om he r ewi t houtbe i ngs e e n? "Luc a s a s ke d. " Se r va nt ss t a i r sbe hi ndt ha tdoorove rt he r e .The ygoa l lt hewa yt ot het op f l oor ,a ndt he r e ' sal a ndi nga l mos ta c r os sf r omourr oom. " " Chi l dhoode xpl or a t i on? "hea s ke d. Kyl es mi l e d." Hi de a nds e e k,whe nIr e a l l ydi dn' twa ntt obef ound.I twa s oneofmyf a vor i t ega me s .Luc ,Iknowt hi shous epr e t t ywe l l ,a ndIc a n' tr e me mbe ras i gnofahi dde nr oomorva ul t .Iwa sac hi l d,ofc our s e ,buti fi twa she r e ,I s houl dha vef oundi tye a r sa go. "

Henodde d." Iknow.Butwe ' r er unni ngoutofopt i ons .I t ' st heonl yga me we ' vegot . " Luc a sl oc ke dt hedoorl e a di ngouti nt ot heha l l wa y,a ndKyl ewe ntt oe a s e ope nt heFr e nc hdoor s .Sheha dt oope nt he m wi de ramome ntl a t e r ,a mus e dbe c a us enooneha dt houghtt ot e l lhe rt ha tZa c hwa ss obi g. We l love rs i xf e e tofbi g.Heha dbr oa d,powe r f uls houl de r swhi c ht hebl a c k ofhi ss we a t s hi r tdi dnot hi ngt odi mi ni s h,a ndi twa sobvi ousheha dmus c l e st o s pa r e .Andnooneha dt ot e l lKyl ehewa sada nge r ousma n.I twa s n' tt ha the t e nde dt of i l ldoor wa ys ;i twa s n' te ve nt ha tawi c ke ds c a rt wi s t e dwhi t e l ydown hi sl e a nc he e k.Wha ti twa sa boutt hema nt ha twoul df r i ght e ne ve nt hes t out he a r t e dwa sapa l pa bl ea ur aofl e a s he dpowe ra nda na t mos phe r eofc ol dme na c e . Hemove dl i keabi gc a ta shec a mei nt ot her oom,a sI fhewa l ke dondr i e d l e a ve sa ndwi s he dt obes i l e nt .Andhewoul dha vebe e ns i l e nte ve nwi t hdr i e d l e a ve sunde r f oot .Theda r kc l ot hi nghewor edi da bs ol ut e l ynot hi ngt oc onc e a lt he da nge rofhi m,nordi dt hec a l m,a l mos tbl a nde xpr e s s i ononhi sr ugge df a c eor t hes e r e negr a ye ye s . Bor nf orda nge r ,i nde e d,Kyl et hought . Ont hebi gma n' she e l sc a mehi sne w wi f e ,ape t i t ewoma ns ome whe r ei n he rt we nt i e swi t ha nunr ul ya ndbe a ut i f ulma s sofr e dha i r ,a ndt hebi g,s of tbr own e ye sofadoe .Shel ooke dde l i c a t ea ndf r a gi l e ,buthe rs ma l lf a c ewa svi vi dl y a l i ve ,a ndKyl et houghtt he r ewa sagr e a tde a lofs t r e ngt ha nds pi r i tbe ne a t ht ha t da i nt ye xt e r i or . Qui c ki nt r oduc t i onswe r ema de ,a ndt he nKyl ewa sl e a di ngt he mi nt ot he s t a i r we l lwhi l eLuc a sunl oc ke dt heha l l wa ydoora ndj oi ne dt he m.The yf oundt he s t a i r sc l e a ra ndwe r es oons a f e l yi ns i deKyl e ' sr oom. " Whe r e ' sJ os h? "Za c ha s ke di mme di a t e l y,hi svoi c es of ta nde f f or t l e s s . " Downs t a i r s , "Luc a sr e por t e d,l oos e ni nghi st i e ." Hea ndRa ve nwi l lbeup s oon. " Za c hma dehi ms e l fc omf or t a bl ei nal a r gec ha i r ,pul l i nghi swi f edowni nt o hi sl a pa ndgi vi nghe ral ookt ha twa sas ome wha tc omi c a lmi xt ur eofa dor a t i on a nda nnoya nc e . " Don' tf us s , "s het ol dhi ms e ve r e l yi namus i c a lvoi c e ." I ' m he r e ,a ndt ha t ' s t ha t . " Hegr unt e d." Iknow,da mmi t . " Luc a swe ntt oc ha ngei nt oc l ot hi ngmor es ui t a bl ef ors kul ki ng,whi l eKyl e s of t l ya ndr a pi dl yf i l l e dt hene wa r r i va l si nont he i rpr ogr e s st oda t e . Za c hnodde dwhe ns hewa sf i ni s he d,t he nge s t ur e dt ot hewa l ki e t a l ki ehe ha ds e tonat a bl ebyt hec ha i r ." Ke l s e yha st heot he r .He ' sonwa t c ha ndi nt ouc h wi t hHa ge n. "Hes t udi e dKyl e ,hi sgr a ye ye sI nt e nt ." Yous a yRome ' sa c t i ng s t r a nge l y? " Kyl es a tdownont hef ootoft hebe da nds i ghe d." Youc oul dc uthi st e ns i on wi t hakni f e .I tma yonl ybeZa ma r a ' swe i r dc ont r olove rhi m,butwe ' vea l lde c i de dt ha tt hes oone rwe ' r eoutofhe r e ,t hebe t t e r . " Af t e ramome ntZa c hs a i d," Ic he c ke douthi sf a mi l y.Hi sne phe w—yous a i d hewa st hec ur r e nthe i r ? " " Ac c or di ngt ohi swi l l ,ye s . " " Ani nt e r e s t i ngyoungma n, "Za c hmur mur e d. " I nwha twa y? "Luca s ke da sher e t ur ne dt ot her oom we a r i ngda r ks l a c ks a ndabl a c kt ur t l e ne c k. Za c h' smi l d,he a vyl i dde de ye sc ont i nue dt os t udyKyl et hought f ul l y." Is up-

pos eapol i t ewa yt oputi ti st ha the ' sc a r e l e s swi t hmone y.Andhe ' sr e c e nt l yi nc ur r e ds omewhoppi ngga mbl i ngde bt s .Bi gt i mebooki e s .I ' ds a yt heyoungma n ha st hebe gi nni ngofas e r i ousga mbl i ngpr obl e m. " Kyl el ooke da tLuca shes a tdownbe s i dehe r ." Ma ybet ha t ' swhyMa r t i n' s s ode t e r mi ne dt oma r r yme ;hewa nt sa not he rhe i r .Za ma r aknowsi t .Andi fhe ' s be c omi ngc ons c i ous l ya wa r eoft hes e xua lhol ds heha sonhi m—" " Hec oul dbeobs e s s e dbynow, "Lucf i ni s he dgr i ml y." Da mmi t ,Kyl e ,Iwi s h youwe r eoutofhe r e .I fs heke e pspul l i nghi mt owa r dhe rwhi l ehe ' sobs e s s e d wi t hma r r yi ngyou,hema ys na p. " " He ' sne ve rbe e nknownt ol os ehi sc ool , "Za c hnot e d." Ne ve re mot i ona lor vi ol e nt .Buti ft ha tki ndofpr e s s ur e ' sbui l di ngupi nhi mnow,hema yl os ei tc ompl e t e l y. " " Youa r me d? "Luc a sa s ke dhi m. " Ankl ehol s t e r . "Za c hnodde dt owa r dt hes ma l lduf f e lba gheha dbr ought a l ong." Andaf e we xt r a . " Luc a swe ntove rt okne e la ndc he c kt hegunsZa c hha dbr ought ,a ndi twa s Kyl ewhowe ntt oa ns we rt hes of tknoc ka tt hedoor .Sl i ppi ngqui c kl yi nt ot he r oom.J os ha ndRa ve nwe r ea l s odr e s s e di nc omf or t a bl eda r ks l a c ksa nds we a t e r s . AndJ os hs pokei ns t a nt l yt oTe ddy. " You' r ea l wa ysi nhi sl a p, "hes a i ddr yl y. " Tha t ' swhe r eheput sme , "s her e pl i e d,une mba r r a s s e da nd s ome wha t a mus e d. " Za c h,di dyoubr i ngmygun? "Ra ve nwa sa s ki ng,goi ngt ope e rove rLuc a s ' ss houl de r . Al i t t l ebe mus e d,Kyl ega t he r e duphe rc l ot he sa ndwe ntt oc ha ngei nLuc ' s r oom.I nt r i gue dbya l lofLuc ' sf r i e ndsj us the a r i nga boutt he m,s hewa sc ompl e t e l yf a s c i na t e dnowa f t e rs e e i ngt he mt oge t he r .Be t we e nt he ma l lt he r ewa sa n e a s yf a mi l i a r i t y,aki ndofc a ma r a de r i et ha ts t r uc khe ra sbe i ngve r yr a r e .The y' ve be e nt hr oughmor et ha nonef i r et oge t he r ,s het hought . AndKyl ehe r s e l ff e l ta c c e pt e di nt ot ha tc l os e ne s s ,s ome t hi ngt ha tbot hde l i ght e da ndmove dhe r .Sheha dknownf e wf r i e nds hi psi nhe rl i f e ,a ndt obes o r e a di l ya c c e pt e di nt oLuc a s ' sc i r c l eoff r i e ndswa ss ome t hi ngs het r e a s ur e d. Thef ut ur el ooke dbr i ghti nde e d. I ft he yc oul donl yge tt hr ought hi sni ght . Sher e t ur ne dt ohe rbe dr oomt oj oi nt heot he r s ,whowe r el oungi ngc omf or t a bl ya ndt a l ki ngi nl owvoi c e s .Thegunsha dbe e ndi s t r i but e d,wi t hLuc a s ,J os h, a ndRa ve na l lc a r r yi ngt he i r sa tt hes ma l loft he i rba c ksbe ne a t hc onc e a l i ngs we a t e r s .Te ddy,l i keZa c h,wor ea na nkl ehol s t e r .Kyl er e a di l ya c c e pt e dt hea ut oma t i c Luc a sha nde dhe r ,pl e a s e dt odi s c ove rt ha tt he s eme n—e ve nwi t hLuc a s ' sga l l a nt r ya ndZa c h' sc l e a r l ypr ot e c t i vena t ur e —t r e a t e dt hewome ni nt he i rl i f ea sc a pa bl ee qua l s . " Ir e a dyou' dbe c omeas ha r ps hoot e r , "Luc a st ol dhe rwi t has mi l e . Kyl ec he c ke dhe rguna ndputi ti ns i det hewa i s t ba ndofhe rpa nt sa tt he s ma l lofhe rba c k,r e t ur ni nghi ss mi l e ." Di dyou?We l l ,i t ' sni c et oknow t hos e s upe r ma r ke tr a gsa r egoodf ors ome t hi ng. " Hec huc kl e d." Ac t ua l l yi twa sPe opl ema ga z i ne .Tha tc ompe t i t i onyouwon i nCa l i f or ni a . "" I ' df or got t e na boutt ha t . " Hes hookhi she a d,t he nl ooke da tJ os hwhe r et heot he rma nr e s t e dahi pon t hel owdr e s s e r ." Howma nygue s t swe r es t i l ldowns t a i r swhe nyoul e f t ? " " J us taf e w.Andf r omt hel ookoft hi ngs ,He rHi ghne s spl a nst oke e pRome

f ul l yoc c upi e donc et he yge tups t a i r s . " " Le t ' shopes he ' ss uc c e s s f ul , "Ra ve nmur mur e d.Luc a snodde d,t he ns a i d, " We ' l ls pl i tupi nt ot e a ms .Za c h,youa ndTe ddyt a ket hegr oundf l oor .J os ha nd Ra ve nc a nt a ket hes e c ondf l oor ,a ndKyl ea ndIwi l lt a ket hi sone . " " J us thowl e ga li st hi s ? "Kyl ewa nt e dt oknow. " Notve r y, "J os ht ol dhe r ,a mus e d." I fZa c ha ndTe ddya r ef oundhe r e ,t he y c oul dbec ha r ge dwi t hbr e a ki nga nde nt e r i ngbyRome .Ther e s tofusa r ehe r eby i nvi t a t i on,butwewe r eha r dl yi nvi t e dt os e a r c ht hehous e .Ca ught ,we ' dl ook da mne ds us pi c i ous .St i l l ,i fwef i ndt hema s kort heot he rs t uf f ,i t ' l lbee nought o ge tt hepol i c ei nhe r el e ga l l ywi t hawa r r a nt .We ' r eoka ywi t ht heguns ,s i nc e we ' r ea l ll i c e ns e dt oc a r r y—" " I ' mnot , "Kyl es a i d,i nt e r r upt i ng. " Ye s ,youa r e , "Za c ht ol dhe r ." Iha vet hepe r mi ti fa nyonea s ks . " Shes t a r e da thi m." Yout hi nkofe ve r yt hi ng. " Sol e mnl yTe ddys a i d," He ' swe l lve r s e di nt hea r tofs kul l dugge r y. " " Ir e s e ntt ha tonJ os h' sbe ha l f , "Za c hs a i dmi l dl y. " Le a vemeoutoft hi s , "J os hr e que s t e d." Eve r ybodyknowsI ' mamode lc i t i z e n. " Kyl el ooke da thi m,r a ki s ha ndr a t he rda nge r ousi nhi sda r kc l ot hi ng,a nd gi ggl e ds udde nl y. Ra ve ngr i nne da the r ." Iknow.Iha ve n' tde c i de di ft he y' r ec omma ndosa t he a r tort e nye a r ol ds . " " Lookwho' st a l ki ng, "J os hs a i dc hi di ngl y. I twa sa si fnoneoft he mc a r r i e dgunsorwa i t e dt os e a r c hahous ei nt he de a dofni ght ,Kyl et hought ,a si fnoda nge rs ur r ounde dt he m.The ywe r es i x f r i e ndst a l ki ngc a s ua l l y. Ands hebe l i e ve ds hekne wt he nwhyHa ge nha ddr a f t e dt he s epe opl ea nd c a nni l yma deus eoft he i rt a l e nt s . Hewoul dha vebe e naf oolnott o. Thehous ewa ss i l e ntwhe nt he ys l i ppe df r omt her ooma ndwe ntt he i rs e pa r a t ewa ys .The r ewe r eoc c a s i ona ll a mpst os of t l yl i ghtt he i rwa y,a nde a c hc a r r i e d as ma l lf l a s hl i ght ,c our t e s yofZa c h' swe l l e qui ppe dduf f e lba g. I twa sabi ghous e .Movi ngs i l e nt l ya ndwhi s pe r i ngwhe nt he yne e de dt o, Kyl ea ndLuc a ss e a r c he dc a r e f ul l y.Ofc our s e ,t hebe dr oomswe r eof fl i mi t sdue t os l e e pi nggue s t s ,butt he r ewe r ema nyot he rr ooms .Sa l ons ,s i t t i ngr ooms .I nnume r a bl ec l os e t sa nds t or a gea r e a s ,a l c ove sa ndpa nt r i e s .Andi twa sas l owbus i ne s sbe c a us et he yha dt oc he c ke ve r ypos s i bi l i t ya ndbeut t e r l ys i l e nta l lt he whi l e . Wi t ha tl e a s tha l ft he i rf l oorc ove r e d,Kyl ebe c a mea wa r et ha tt he r ewa s s ome t hi ngbot he r i nghe r .a ni de aa tt heba c kofhe rmi nd,a ndgr a dua l l yr e a l i z e d t ha tapa s s a ges heha dr e a di nt heRomef a mi l ybookwa snudgi nghe r . " Iwa ntt ot a kea not he rl ooka tt ha tbook, "s hewhi s pe r e d." It hi nkImi s s e d s ome t hi ng. " Luc a swa se xa mi ni ngac l os e tf ul lofl i ne nsa nds pa r e damome ntt ogl a nc e wor r i e dl ya the r ." Bec a r e f ul ,wi l lyou,l ove ? " Shes t oodont i pt oet oki s shi sc he e k." I ' l lj us tbei nourr oom.Ba c ki na f l a s h. "Shedi s a ppe a r e da r oundas ha dowyc or ne roft heha l l wa y. Luc a sga z e da f t e rhe rf oramome nt ,t he ngl a nc e da thi swa t c ha ndwe nt

ba c kt owor k.I twoul dbeda wni na not he rhour ;t he ywe r er unni ngoutoft i me . I nt he i rda r ke ne dbe dr oom,Kyl ef oundt hebooka ndc a r r i e di tt ot hewi ndow,ma ki ngus eofmoonl i ghta ss hef l i ppe dt hr ought hepa ge s .Some t hi ng. . . wha twa si t ?Shes t oodhol di ngt hebook,he ra bs t r a c t e dga z ef oc us e doutt hewi ndow.The ns hef r owne da ndl ooke ddowna tt hebooka ga i n.Sl owl yhe rf i nge r t r a c e dt heRomef a mi l yc r e s te ngr a ve dont hef i r s tpa ge .Anor na t eRs ur r ounde d byas e r i e sofdoubl e l i ne dboxe s . Wi t hf i nge r st ha tt r e mbl e di ns udde ne xc i t e me nt ,s het ur ne dt hepa get ot he ve r s ewr i t t e nbyoneoft heRomea nc e s t or s .Thi st i mes her e a di tc a r e f ul l y. Anar t i s t ' se y ec anpi c t ur e Al ov e r ' she ar tc anf e e l Butf e war et hos es oc e r t ai n Thatdr e amsc anbe c omer e al . Youmayf i ndl ov ei nPar i s Ev e ns har et hewe al t hofRome Buty oune v e rt r ul yhol di t Ti l ly out ouc ht hegol de ndome . Kyl er a i s e dhe re ye ss l owl ya nds t a r e dt hr ought hewi ndow.Shec oul ds e e t heda r ks ha peoft hema z ea nd,a ti t sc e nt e r ,ba t he di nmoonl i ght ,t hedomeoft he ga z e bo.Thegol de nl i ght i ngi ns i dei t ,r e ma i ni ngondur i ngt heda r khour s ,ma de t hes ha peoft hel i t t l es t r uc t ur egl owwa r ml y. " Thegol de ndome , "s hewhi s pe r e d.Tha tha dt obei t .TheRomec r e s twa s a nI ni t i a lwi t hi nama z e ,a ndt ha tha dt obewhe r e" t hewe a l t hofRome "c oul dbe t ouc he d. Rome ' shi dde nva ul twa s n' ti nt hehous ea ta l l —I twa ss e c r e t e ds ome whe r e i n,orbe ne a t h,t hega z e bo! Ont hepoi ntofr us hi ngoutt ot e l lLuc a s ,Kyl ehe s i t a t e d.Wha ti fs hewa s wr ong?The y' dwa s t et i meoutt he r ei fbot hoft he mwe nt .Buti fs hes e a r c he dhur r i e dl yf i r s t. . .Af t e ra l l ,whokne wt ha tga z e bobe t t e rt ha nhe r s e l f ? AndRome . Kyl ebi the rl i pi na ni ns t a nt ' si nde c i s i on,t he ns e tt hebooka s i dea ndhur r i e df r om t her oom.Ra ve ngl i de df r om t hes ha dowsont hes e c ondf l oorl a ndi ng t ol ooka the rqui z z i c a l l y. " Iwa ntt oc he c kt hega z e bo. "Kyl ewhi s pe r e dwi t houtpa us i ng. Ra ve nf r owne da f t e rhe rf oramome nt ,t he nt ur ne dba c kt of i ndJ os h. Kyl eha dn' tf or got t e nt hegua r dsa nddogsout s i debutt r us t e dhe ra bi l i t yt o ge ta c r os st het e r r a c ea ndi nt ot hema z ewi t houtr ous i ngt he m.Shewa i t e da tt he t e r r a c edoor sf oraf e w mome nt s ,wa t c hi ngt het wogua r dspa s se a c hot he rout s i de .Shea l l owe dt he maf e wmor emome nt s ,t ha ns l i ppe dout s i des i l e nt l y. Sher e a c he dt hema z ewi t houtbe i ngde t e c t e da ndmove ds wi f t l ya l ongt he f a mi l i a rpa t hs ,undi s t ur be dbyt hes mot he r i ngl yt a l l ,da r khe dge s ,byt hes t a r k s ha dowsofmoonl i ght . Thega z e bo,s of t l yl i ght e d,we l c ome dhe rt ot hec e nt e roft hema z e ,a nds he s t e ppe dupi nt oi t .Now . . .whe r e ?Shes t udi e dt hes t r uc t ur es l owl y,c a r e f ul l y. The r ewa snoc e i l i ng;t her a f t e r ss uppor t i ngt hedome dr oofwe r ee xpos e da nd pa i nt e dwhi t e .TheDor i cc ol umnswe r es l e nde r ,e a c hde c or a t e dwi t ha nor na t eR; t hef l oora ppa r e nt l ys ol i d.Thebe nc he sha dt hi npa ddi nga nds pi ndl yl e gs . I tha dt obet hef l oor . Andt he r eha dt obeas wi t c hofs omeki nd.Kyl et ur ne di nas l ow c i r c l e ,

t he nbe ga npr obi ngt hec ol umnsa ndr a i l i ngwi t hde l i c a t eha nds . J os ha ndRa ve nf oundLuc a sont het hi r df l oor ,c omi ngoutofKyl e ' sr oom, as t r a i ne de xpr e s s i ononhi sf a c e ." Ha veyous e e nhe r ? "hea s ke dt he mi nawhi s pe r . " Shes a i ds hewa sgoi ngt oc he c kt hega z e bo, "Ra ve na ns we r e ds of t l y." I t hi nks heha sapr e t t ygoodi de at he r ema ybeahi di ngpl a c eoutt he r e . " Luc a ss wor es of t l y." Shes houl dn' tbe —" Za c ha ndTe ddymove dqui e t l ydownt heha l lt owa r dt he m." Some body c r os s e dt het e r r a c eami nut ea go, "Za c ht ol dt he m." Ama n. " Thewa l ki e t a l ki eha ngi nga thi ss i dewhi s pe r e ds of t l y. Fr omhi sva nt a gepoi ntont hehi l l ,Ke l s e ywa t c he dt hehous ec ons t a nt l y.He s wor ei r r i t a bl ywhe nher e a l i z e dt ha tt hes e t t i ngmoonwa ss t e a l i nghi sl i ght ,but hec oul ds t i l lma keoutt hehous epr e t t yc l e a r l y.Heme t hodi c a l l ys t udi e de a c h wi ndow one a c hf l oor ,c he c ke dt hewhe r e a bout soft hegua r ds ,a nds e ntt he l i ght e dga z e boagl a nc e . The nhes t i f f e ne d." Some t hi ng' sgoi ngondownt he r e , "her e por t e ds of t l yi nt ot hemi c r ophone . " Wha ti si t ? "Ha ge na s ke d. " Don' tknow.Some bodymovi ng—da mnt hi sa ngl e ! "Hea dj us t e dt hebi noc ul a r sa ndl e a ne dabi ts i de wa ys ." I t ' sKyl e .She ' ss e a r c hi ngt hega z e bo. " " Wha t ? " " Wa i tami nut e .Ic a nj us tba r e l ys e ehe r .Tha t ' swha ts he ' sdoi ng,t hough. " Hec a ughtagl i mps eofs ome t hi nge l s et he n,as ma l l ,da r kl ys hi ni ngobj e c ti nt he ha ndofs ome onee l s ei nt hec e nt e roft hema z e . Swe a r i ng,Ke l s e yr e a c he df ort hewa l ki e t a l ki e . " Looki ngf ors ome t hi ng,myde a r ? " Kyl et ur ne ds l owl y,hol di nghe rf a c ee xpr e s s i onl e s swi t he f f or t .Thef i r s t t hi ngs hes a wwa sawi c ke dbl a c kr e vol ve rhe l di nas t e a dyha nd.Ma r t i nRome ' s ha nd.Andwhe ns hel ooke da thi sf a c ea shes t e ppe dupi nt ot hega z e bo,s hef e l t c ol dc l e a rt hr ought ohe rbone s . Hi sf a c ewa ss t i l l ,c a l m.Butt he r ewa saf a i ntt wi t c ha tt hec or ne rofhi s r i ghte ye ,a ndt hee ye st he ms e l ve swe r eunna t ur a l l ybr i l l i a nt .Moc ki ng. " I —Idr oppe dar i ng, "s hes a i df i na l l y. " I ' l lbuyyoua not he r , "het ol dhe rs oot hi ngl y. Ve r yc ons c i ousoft hewe i ghtofhe ra ut oma t i ca tt hes ma l lofhe rba c k,Kyl e ma denoa t t e mptt or e a c hf ori t .I twa she ra c e ,a l ls heha d,a ndal a s tr e s or t . " Idon' twa ntar i ngf r om you,Ma r t i n.Idon' twa nta nyt hi nga ta l lf r om you. "Shewa st r yi ngde s pe r a t e l yt oke e phe rvoi c ee ve na ndc a l m. " Si nc ewe ' r egoi ngt obema r r i e d, "het ol dhe ri nt ha ts a meomi nous l ys of t t one ," I ' l ls howyoumys e c r e t .Ast hemot he rofmys on,i t ' l lbeyourr i ght . " Kyl es wa l l owe dha r d." Ma r t i n,whydoyouha veagun?You' r ef r i ght e ni ng me . " " I ' ms or r y,myde a r ,butIr e a l l yc a n' ta l l owyourl ove rt os t e a lmyt r e a s ur e s . Tha ti swha the ' sa f t e r ,youknow.Hewa ss e a r c hi ngi nt hehous e .Youwe r e n' t wi t hhi m,ofc our s e .Ikne wyouwoul dn' tbe .Ikne wyou' dbehe r e .Thi si swhe r e

t hene we s tofmyt r e a s ur e sbe l ongs .I ' l lke e pyouhe r ef orawhi l e ,a ndt he nhe ' l l goa wa y. " " No, "s hes a i ds of t l y." Hewon' t . " " Ofc our s ehewi l l .The nyoua ndIwi l lbema r r i e d,a ndyous ha l lpr ovi de mewi t ha nhe i r .Myne phe wPhi l l i pi snogood,I ' ver e a l i z e dt ha t ;hedoe s n' tde s e r vet oha vemyt r e a s ur e s .Butours onwi l l . " " Ma r r yZa ma r a , "Kyl eur ge d,s t a l l i ngf ort i me . " She ' sba r r e n, "Romet ol dhe r .Hi sj a wt i ght e ne d." Pi t y.Iwoul dha vema r r i e dhe rot he r wi s e .Shei sde s c e nde df r ommype opl ei nas e ns e .ButIwa sa bl et o obt a i nhe rme di c a lhi s t or ya nds odi s c ove r e dt het r ut h.Sher e a l l ys houl dha ve t ol dmehe r s e l f .Ic a n' ta ppr oveofde c e pt i on. " Chi l l e d,Kyl ewonde r e dhowt or e a s onwi t hama dma n. Hel ooke da the rs e r i ous l y." Iwi l lma keyouha ppy,myde a r ,Ia s s ur eyou. " " Wha tofZa ma r a ? "Kyl ewhi s pe r e d. Hi sj a wt i ght e ne da ga i n." Shewi l lgo. " Kyl edi dn' tda r epus ht ha t ;s hec oul ds e et het ugofwa ri nhi sf a c e ,t hea wf ulc onf l i c t .St e a di l ys hes a i d," I ' mgoi ngt oma r r yLuc ,Ma r t i n. " " Hewon' tbea bl et of i ndyou, "Romes a i dr e a s ona bl y.Hi sf r e eha nd r e a c he di nt ot hepoc ke tofhi sj a c ke ta ndpr oduc e dake y.St e ppi ngt oones i de ,he r e a c he douta ndi ns e r t e dt heke yi nt ot heor na t eRononeoft hec ol umns ;Kyl e ha df oundt ha tke yhol eonl yamome ntbe f or eheha df i r s ts poke n. Pi nne di npl a c ebyt hebr i l l i a ntda r ke ye st ha tne ve rl e f the r ,byt hegunt ha t ne ve rwa ve r e d,Kyl ewa she l pl e s s . Romet ur ne dt heke y,a ndi ns t a nt l yt he r ewa sas of tgr i ndi ngnoi s e .Thee nt i r ega z e bomove d,s l i di ngs moot hl yt oones i de ." Mygr a ndf a t he rha di tc ons t r uc t e d, "het ol dhe rpl e a s a nt l y." I ' veupda t e dt hewi r i ng,ofc our s e ,ye a r sa go. I t ' sape r f e c tpl a c et os t or emyt r e a s ur e s ,i s n' ti t ,myde a r ? " Kyl el ooke ddowna tt hes t e poft hega z e bo,whi c hnow l e dt omor es t e ps a ndada r kc a vi t yi nt hegr ound." I ' mnotgoi ngdownt he r e , "s hes a i dt i ght l y. Romes mi l e d." Youwi l l ,youknow.Ors ha l lIgoi nt ot hehous ea ndki l l yourl ove r ? " " Rome ! " I ns t i nc t i ve l yKyl et hr e whe r s e l ft oones i de ,e ve na sRomewhi r l e da ndf i r e d hi sgun.Thebl a s twa shi de ous l yl oud,f ol l owe di ns t a nt l ybyt hedi s t a ntba r ki ng oft hegua r ddogsa nd,s e c ondsl a t e r ,bya not he rs hot . Rome ,t e e t e r i ngont hebr i nkoft hes t e ps ,c l a s pe dhi swounde dha ndwi t ha c r ya shi sgunc l a t t e r e dt ot hef l ooroft hega z e bo.Los i nghi sba l a nc e ,hepi t c he d f or wa r d,downt hes t e psa ndi nt ot heda r kne s s . Luc a s ,hi sf a c ewhi t e ,va ul t e dove rt hel owr a i l i ngoft hega z e boa ndga t he r e dKyl ei nt ohi sa r ms ." Ar eyoua l lr i ght ? "hea s ke di nar a s pi ngvoi c e . Kyl ewa sa wa r eofot he rvoi c e s ,ofr unni ngf e e ta ndt hes hout i ngoft he gua r ds ,buthe re nt i r ea t t e nt i onwa sonl yf orhi m." I ' mf i ne , "s hewhi s pe r e d.The n, l i f t i nghe rf a c ef r om hi st hr oa t ,s hes t a r e da thi mf i e r c e l y." Wha tt ookyous o l ong? " Equa l l yf i e r c e ,hes a i d," Ne xtt i me ,da mmi t ,t e l lmewha tyou' r epl a nni ngt o do! " As udde ngur gl eofl a ught e re s c a pe dhe r ,a ndKyl et hr e w he ra r msa r ound hi sne c k." Ne xtt i me , "s hepr omi s e ds e r e ne l y.

Thes unwa swe l lup.Ke ptf r om t hema z ebyf e de r a lma r s ha l s ,Ma r t i n Rome ' sgue s t smi l l e da r oundi nt hehous e ,c onf us e da ndc ur i ous .I ns i det he ma z e ,mor ema r s ha l sma det r i psi nt oa ndoutoft heva ul t ,c a r r yi ngpr i c e l e s s ge ms ,pa i nt i ngs ,a ndot he ra r t wor kouts ot ha tt he yc oul dbei nve nt or i e d. Ar ot undl i t t l ema ns upe r vi s e dt hea c t i vi t y,pa us i ngf oronl yamome ntt o t e l lZa c ha ndTe ddy," Youa r e n' the r e . " " Ofc our s enot , "Za c hs a i dc a l ml y. Ha ge nnodde d,t he nl ooke ds ome wha ts t e r nl ya tt heot he rf our ,whowe r er e l a xi ngi nt hega z e bo." We ' r egoi ngt oha vet odi s c us st hes t a t e me nt syougi ve , "he s a i d. La z i l yJ os ha s ke d," Wha t ' st odi s c us s ?We ' r ej us tgue s t she r e .Rome ,ma dde ne dbyj e a l ous y,de c i de dt oki dna pKyl ea tgunpoi nt .Lucmi s s e dhi sf i a nc é e , c a mel ooki ng,a ndwa sj us ti nt i met os t opRome .He ' sl i c e ns e dt oc a r r yac onc e a l e dwe a pon.Mi ndyou,weha venoe a r t hl yi de awhyRomeke pta l lt he s e pa i nt i ngsa ndt hi ngsunde rhi sga z e bo.Buti t ' sagoodt hi ngLucgothe r ebe f or e Romec oul dl oc kKyl ei nwi t ht he m. " Ha ge nl ooke da thi m na r r owl yf oramome nt ,t he nnodde d." Andyou' l ls o t e s t i f y? " " Lucwi l l ,ofc our s e .AndKyl e .Ther e s tofusha venot hi ngt os a y.Wewe r e j us tdr a wnouthe r ebyt hec ommot i on. " " Exc e l l e nt . "Ha ge nwe ntba c kt ohi ss upe r vi s i ng,l ooki ngl i keagl e e f ulc he r ub. " J os h—" " I t ' st i mef oryout ogopubl i c ,Luc .Wi t ht hei nve s t i ga t i ves t a f fyou' vebui l t ove rt heye a r s ,t he r er e a l l yi s n' tane e df oryout os t a ybe hi ndt hes c e ne s . " Pol i t e l yLuc a ss a i d," AndIs uppos ei tne ve roc c ur r e dt oyout ha tbyt e s t i f yi ngI ' l lma kehe a dl i ne s ?He a dl i ne st ha tKyl e ' sf a t he rwi l lnodoubtr e a d? " J os hf r owne d." No,t ha tne ve roc c ur r e dt ome . " Luc a ss a i ds ome t hi ngr ude . Kyl ec huc kl e d." Il ovei t . "Shel ooke da the rf ut ur ehus ba ndwi t has mi l e . " Andt ha ts hotofyour swa sr e a l l ys ome t hi ng—hi t t i nghi sgunha nd! " " Ne r ve sofs t e e l , "J os hmur mur e d. Luc a sgl a r e da thi m." Myne r ve swe r es hott ohe l la ndgone ,a ndyouknow i t !I twa sal uc kys hot ,t ha t ' sa l l . "Hel i s t e ne dt ot he i rl a ught e rwi t hapa i ne dl ook, t he nbe c kone dKe l s e yove r . " Youwa nts ome t hi ng,he r o? " " Ke l s e y,we ' vea l lha dal ongni ght .Don' tpus hi t . " Gr i nni ng,Ke l s e ys a i d," Ri ght .Di dyouwa ntt ot e l lmes ome t hi nge l s e ? " " Thema s k. " " I ti s n' twi t ht hi ss t uf f . " " Iknow. "Fi ndi nghi ms e l ft hef oc usofs t a r t l e de ye s ,Luc a sa dde ds ome wha t bi t t e r l y," We ' vebe e ns t a r i nga tt heda mne dt hi nge ve rs i nc ewegothe r e . " " Whe r ei si t ? "Kyl ea s ke d. " Comeona ndI ' l ls how you. "Luc a sl e dt hewa yf r om t hema z e ,hol di ng Kyl e ' sha ndf i r ml y.The ywe r ef ol l owe dbyJ os ha ndRa ve n,Za c ha ndTe ddy,a nd Ke l s e ya ndHa ge n. " Il oveapa r a de , "Ke l s e ymur mur e dt ohi ms e l f . Onc epa s tt hemi l l i ngc r owdofgue s t s ,Luc a swe nti nt ot het r ophyr oom, ha l t i ngbe f or eawa l lwi t hadi s pl a yofnume r ousAf r i c a nt r i ba lma s ks . Looki ngupa tt hewa l l ,Kyl ea s ke di nc r e dul ous l y," Youme a nhehungi ton

t hewal lr i ghtouti nf r ontofe ve r ybody? " " Whynot ?Noneofusc a ughti t . " " Youdi d, "s her e mi nde dhi m. " Ye a h,butonl ya tt hel a s tmi nut e .Af t e ryoul e f tmel a s tni ght ,Is t a r t e d wonde r i nga boutt hema s k.I twa sas ymbolofpowe r ,s oi ts t oodt or e a s onRome woul dke e pi tne a r by—a ndi twa ss ome t hi nghe ' dc e r t a i nl ywa ntt ol ooka t .I t wa s n' tl i ke l yhewoul dha veputi twi t ht hes t uf fheme a ntt oke e pt ot a l l yhi dde n. Soi tha dt obehe r e . " " Whi c hi si t ? "J os ha s ke d. Za c h,t heonl yoneoft he m whoha ds e e napi c t ur eoft hema s k,ge s t ur e d. " Tr yt heonei nt hemi ddl e . " Luc a sl i f t e di tdown,a nda l loft he ms a w.Thema s kha dbe e nc ove r e dwi t h ada r ka dhe s i vema t e r i a lt oc l os e l yma t c hi t sf e l l ows ,butt heba c ks honepur e gol d. Ni ne Kyl es t oodga z i ngouta tt hePa c i f i cOc e a n,s mi l i ngt ohe r s e l f .Shel ove d t hi spl a c e .Thehous epe r c he doni t sOr e gonc l i f fa si fi tbe l onge dt he r e ,a ndi t wa sawonde r f ulpl a c et os pe ndahone ymoon.Shel ooke ddowna tt hegol de n ba ndonhe rf i nge r ,a ndhe rs mi l ebe c a mee ve nha ppi e r . St r onga r mss l i ppe da r oundhe rf r ombe hi nd,a ndLuc a sr e s t e dhi sc hi na t op hi swi f e ' she a d." I t ' ss t i l le a r l y, "hemur mur e d." It houghtyouwoul dha vegone ba c kt os l e e pa f t e rIwe ntt oa ns we rt hephone . " " Wha tdi dJ os hha vet os a y? "s hea s ke d. Luc a sc huc kl e d." Not hi ng,r e a l l y.Hej us ts a i di twoul dn' tber i ghti four hone ymoonwa s n' ti nt e r r upt e dbys ome t hi ng.Ra f f e r t ya ndSa r a ha r et heonl yone s who' vema na ge ds of a rt obel e f tc ompl e t e l ya l one . " " Tha t ' swhyhec a l l e d? " " Tha t ' swhy.Re me mbe rIt ol dyouwei nt e r r upt e dhi shone ymoonbe c a us eof t ha tpr obl e monKa de i r a ?Ir e a l l yt hi nkhe ' sge t t i nge ve nf ort ha t . " Kyl el a ughe d. Hes mi l e da tt hes ound." Doyouf e e lbe t t e rnowt ha tRomewi l lbege t t i ng t het r e a t me nthene e ds ? " " Muc hbe t t e r .Ic oul dn' the l pbutf e e ls or r yf orhi m,e s pe c i a l l ywhe nHe r Hi ghne s sbr e e z e dpa s thi mwhi l et hepa r a me di c swe r ewor ki ngonhi sha nd. " " Youme a nhe rpa r t i ngwor ds ? " " We l l , "Kyl es a i df a i r l y,"' Ci a o,ba by' s e e me dj us tal i t t l ec ol dhe a r t e d. " " I ' l ls a y. "Lucr e f l e c t e d." I t ' sagoodt hi ngt hema r s ha l swe r e n' twonove rby he rt r i c ks .Shemi ghtnotha vebe e ni nvol ve dwi t ht het he f toft ha ta r t wor k,but s hes ur ea she l le nc our a ge dRomet oge tt ha tma s k. " " Thi nki ngi twoul dhe l pbi ndhi mt ohe r , "Kyl ea gr e e d." I tba c kf i r e donhe r , t hough.Sheha dhi ms oc onvi nc e dhewa sde s c e nde df r omagr e a ta nda nc i e ntl i ne ofr ul e r st ha thede c i de dt opr e s e r vehi s' t r e a s ur e s 'a ndf a mi l yna menoma t t e r wha tt hec os t .Andhe ' dbe c omes opa r a noi da boutpr ot e c t i ngt hos et r e a s ur e st ha t s hewa sl os i nga l lc ont r olove rhi m. " " Di dyouhe a rwha ts hes c r e a me da tt hema r s ha l sbe f or et he ydr a gge dhe r out ? "Luca s ke d. " Sa yi ngt ha ts he ' dt r i e dt ope r s ua deMa r t i nnott oge tt hea r t wor k?Ye s ,I he a r d.I nt e r e s t i ngl a ngua ge ,huh?Shewa spr oba bl yt e l l i ngt het r ut h.Asf a ra ss he

wa sc onc e r ne d,Ma r t i nwa swe a l t hye nough;s hewa s n' twor r i e da boutf ut ur ege ne r a t i ons .Andke e pi ngt hea r t wor konhi se s t a t epr oba bl ys hookhe re ve nmor e . Shekne wve r ywe l lt hes e a r c hwa sonf ort ha ts t uf fa ndl i ke l ykne whewa sunde r s us pi c i on. " " I ' ds a ys heha dgoodi ns t i nc t s , "Luc a sa gr e e dgr a ve l y. He rs mi l ewi de ne d." We l l ,a nywa y,i twa sni c eofMa r t i nt obr e a kdowna nd c onf e s ss owewoul dn' tha vet os t i c ka r oundf ort het r i a la ndt e s t i f y.Ours t a t e me nt sma deabi ge noughs pl a s hi nt hene ws pa pe r s . " " Bi ge noughf oryourf a t he rt onot i c e ,a nywa y.Di dIhe a rhi ma pol ogi z et o youa tt hewe ddi ng? " " Youdi d.Sur pr i s i ngl ye nough. " Luc a st ur ne dhe ra r oundge nt l ya ndga z e ddowna the r .Hehe a r d,i nhe r s t e a dyvoi c e ,t hes oundofac hi l dwhoha dwa nt e da f f e c t i ons ode s pe r a t e l yf ors o ma nyye a r s —a ndha dr e c e i ve dnonea ta l l ." Gi vei tt i me ,l ove .Ma ybet he y' l l ne ve rc ha nge .Butma ybet he ywi l l . " Kyl es l i ppe dhe ra r msupa r oundhi sne c k,s mi l i ng." Iknow.I ti s n' ts oi mpor t a ntt omenow,Luc .You' vegi ve nmes omuc hmor et ha nIe ve re xpe c t e d. " " Il oveyou, "hemur mur e d,ki s s i nghe rwi t ht e nde r ne s sa ndas l owl ybui l di ngne e d. Some whe r ebe t we e nt hewi ndow a ndt hebe d,t he i rr obe sf e l la wa y,a nd gol de nmor ni ngs unl i ghtf ol l owe dt he mwa r ml y. Fe e l i ngs oi nc r e di bl yl ove da ndwa nt e d,Kyl es mi l e da the rma n.He rl i ps pa r t e dbe ne a t hhi s ,t ur quoi s ee ye sonl yha l fope n,be a ut i f ul l ydr e a mya st he y l ooke di nt ohi sown.Thene e dt ot ouc hhi m wa sac ons t a ntone ,a nds heobe ye d he rne e dswi l l i ngl y.He rha ndsmol de dhi ss houl de r s ,t r a c e dhi ss pi nes l owl y, f e a t he r e da l onghi sr i bs .Ones i l ke nl e gmove ds l owl yt obr us hhi shi pi na s moot h,t i ngl i ngc a r e s s . Hel i f t e dhi she a da tl a s t ,br e a t hi ngha r s hl y,t he i rga z e sl oc ke di nar i s i ng f i r e .Hef e l toneofhe rha ndss l i deove rhi sc he s t ,t heot he ra l onghi sr i bs .He r l i pswe r es wol l e n,be a ut i f ul l yr e da ndt r e mbl i ng,he rbr e a s t sl i f t i nga ndf a l l i ng qui c kl ywi t hhe rs ha l l owbr e a t hs .Shewa sl ooki nga thi m,her e a l i z e d,move d,a s i fhewe r ee ve r yt hi ngs heha de ve rwa nt e doutofl i f e ,e ve r yt hi ngs heha de ve r dr e a me dof . Andnof a nt a s i e sofgodl i keme nwe r er e f l e c t e di nhe rbe a ut i f ule ye st hi s t i me .Nogl i t t e r i nggol ddus t .Nos ha kype de s t a l .J us tade e pa nde ndur i ngl ove f ort hema ns heha dc hos e n. Hekne wt he nt ha thewoul dha vegonet hr ought hos et e nnumbi ngye a r s a ga i ni fhec oul dha vebe e npr omi s e dt hel ooki nhe re ye snow.Eve r yt hi ng—t he pa i na nds e l f doubt ,t hebi t t e r ne s sa nda nge r ,t hel one l i ne s s —e ve r yr a gge de mot i onheha df e l ti nade c a dewa swor t ht hi s . " Luc ,Il oveyou. " Thef e e l i ngsi ns i dehi mwe r ea l mos tt oomuc ht obe a r ,f i e r c ea nds ha r pa nd wi l d.Anda smuc ha shi she a r tf e l t ,hi sde s i r edr ovehi sbody.Hewi l l e dc ont r ol , f i ndi ngi tas t r uggl ea sa l wa ysbutne e di ngt ol uxur i a t ei nt hi sbe c a us ehec oul d ne ve rge te noughofhe r ,be c a us ehel ove dhe ra ndne e de dhe rs omuc h.Hi sha nds move dt os ha per ounde df l e s h,hi smout hs ur r oundi ngt heha r d,t hr obbi ngt i pof he rbr e a s t .He rs of twhi mpe rofpl e a s ur es ha r pl yi nc r e a s e dhi sown,butLuc a s f oundat hr e a dofc ont r ola ndhungonf i e r c e l y. Het r a c e dt heva l l e ybe t we e nhe rbr e a s t swi t hhi sl i ps ,movi ngs l owl ydownwa r dove rt hequi ve r i ngf l e s hofhe rs t oma c h.Hi st onguedi ppe dhot l yi nt ohe r

na ve l ,a ndhef e l tas t r onge rqui ve rs ha kehe r ,he a r daf a i nts oundf r om he r .He s l i dhi sha ndsa l onghe rs l e nde rl e gs ,r ubbi ngs l owl yove rt hes a t i nys ki n,f a s c i na t e dbyt hef e e l i ngofhe rwa r mbody,f i na l l ymovi ngba c kupa l onghe rhi psa nd unde rt he m.Heki s s e dt hes e ns i t i vehol l owsa bovee a c hl e g. Hec oul df e e lt her e s t l e s she a tofhe ra ndmur mur e ds ome t hi ngl ow i nhi s t hr oa t ,s oot hi ng,hi sf i nge r ss e e ki ngt hes l i c k,hotc e nt e rofhe rde s i r e .Kyl e moa ne ds of t l ywhe nhef oundi t ,s e ndi ngs hoc kwa ve sa l lt hr oughhe r ,a ndhe r bodyt wi s t e di nas udde n,he l pl e s sr e a c t i on. Shec oul df e e lhi sl i pst ouc hi nghe rt hi ghs ,c a r e s s i ng,movi nge ve rc l os e rt o t het or me nt i ngf i nge r s .He rl e gst r e mbl e d,a ndt he r ewa samol t e nhe a ti nt hepi t ofhe rbe l l y,bur ni nghe r ,br i ngi nghe rs ovi vi dl ya l i vet ha ts hea c he da l love r .She wa nt e dt os c r e a m,t ol e touts omewi l dc r yofne e da ndpl e a s ur ea nda gony.And s hedi dc r yout ,s of t l y,whe ns hef e l thi sl i pst ouc ht hea c he .Shec r i e doutwor dl e s s l y,he rne r ve ss pl i nt e r i ng,a l lhe rbr e a t hl e a vi nghe rf ora ni ns t a nti naga s p. Shef e l tt ha twonde r f ul l yf a mi l i a rf e e l i ng,a si fs hewe r es t r e t c he dt i ght l y, a boutt obr e a ki nt opi e c e s ,he rhe a r tpoundi nga ga i ns the rr i bswi t ht hudss he c oul df e e ls t r ongl y.Al lhe rc ons c i ous ne s ss e e me dt of oc usonhi m,onwha the wa sdoi ngt ohe r ,a ndi fs hec oul dha vef oundwor dsa ndf or c e dt he m out ,s he woul dha vea s ke dhi m whyhewa sdoi ngt hi s ,whyhewa st or me nt i nghe rt hi s wa y. Buts hec oul df i ndnovoi c e ,nowor ds ,a ndt hepl e ai nhe rmi ndwa sade s pe r a t e ,gr owi nga gony.He rhe a dmove dr e s t l e s s l yont hepi l l ow,a ndhe rbr e a t hi ngwa ss ha l l ow,r a gge d.Pr i mi t i vel i t t l es oundsc a mef r omhe rt hr oa t ,t a ngl e da nd hur t i ng.Shedi dn' tt hi nks hec oul ds t a ndi t ;he re nt i r ebodyr e be l l e da ga i ns tt he t or t ur e ,t wi s t i ng,a ndhe rhe a r twa sc hoki nghe rwi t hi t sf i e r c epoundi ng. Hemove df i na l l y,r i s i nga bovehe rwi t hat a utf a c ea ndbl a z i nge ye s ,e ve r y mus c l er i gi da ndqui ve r i ng.Ki s s i nghe rde e pl y,hewhi s pe r e dhoa r s ewor dsof l ovei nt ohe rmout h. Hi sownc ont r olbr okei nt os pl i nt e r s ,a ndhi sbodyj oi ne dhe r si nas udde n t hr us t .Kyl ec r i e dout ,he re ye swi de ni ng,c ons c i ousofnot hi ngbutt hes he e r pl e a s ur eofhi mde e pwi t hi nhe r .The r ewa sa ne mpt i ne s snowf i l l e d,a ndt hea c he i nhe rwa spa r t i a l l ys a t i s f i e d.Shec r a dl e dhi sbody,he rl i mbsmovi ngt oe nc l os e hi m,f e e l i ngt hes t r e ngt ha ndpowe rofhi m,f e e l i nghe rhe a r ta ndhi spoundi ngt oge t he r . Kyl ec oul df e e lhe rbodyr e a c hi ng,s t r e t c hi ngmi ndl e s s l yf ors ome t hi nga l mos tbe yondr e a c h.Buti twa st he r ea nds hekne wi t ,kne w Lucc oul dt a kehe r s ome whe r egl or i ous .Ands hec l ungt ohi m,mur mur i ngapl e as hedi dn' the a r ,t he e mpt i ne s si nhe rf i l l i ng. . .f i l l i ng. . .bur s t i ngs udde nl yi nami nds pl i nt e r i nge xpl os i onofs e ns a t i onsf a rbe yondpl e a s ur e .He re nt i r ebodys hook,he a ts e a r i nghe r f l e s ha ndhe rs oul ,a ndhe rc r ywa sabr e a t hl e s ss oundofe xa l t a t i on. Luc a sgr oa ne dha r s hl ywhe nhe rbodyc ont r a c t e da r oundhi m,hi sownbody s ur gi ngt owa r dr e l e a s e .Hebur i e dhi ms e l fi nhe r ,t hewhi t e hots t r a i nofhi sne e d gi vi ngwa ys udde nl yi nabur s tofs he e re c s t a s y. Lyi ngdr ows i l ya thi ss i de ,Kyl es udde nl yr e me mbe r e dZa ma r a ' sa dvi c eon howt ohol dama n.Gr i nni ngal i t t l e ,s hede c i de di tc oul dn' thur tt ot r yi t .Knowl e dgel i ket ha ts houl dn' tgot owa s t e ;i twoul dbec r i mi na l .Andwhys houl dn' ts he t r yi t ?La t e r ,ma ybe .Whe ns heha dt hes t r e ngt ht omove . " Wha ta r eyous mi l i nga bout ,l ove ? "hemur mur e d.

" Oh,not hi ng. "Andt he r ewa snot hi ngwr ongwi t hi t ,a f t e ra l l .Se duc i nga muc hbe l ove da ndl ovi nghus ba nd.Not hi ngwr ongwi t hi ta ta l l . Luc a sr a i s e dhi she a da nds t udi e dhe rs mi l e ." Whe ndi dyout ur ni nt ot he MonaLi s a ? " " Idon' tknowwha tyou' r et a l ki nga bout . "Buts hec oul df e e lt hes mi l e . " Tha ts mi l e . "Hes howe dhe ral ookofmoc kune a s i ne s s ." NowIknowwhy t ha ts mi l ef a s c i na t e spe opl e .I t ' st hr e epa r t se vi l ,da mmi t . " " You' r ei ma gi ni ngt hi ngs . "" Ia m not .You' r eupt os ome t hi ng,wi f e .Iknow youa r e .Wha ta r eyouupt o? " " Notas i ngl et hi ng,da r l i ng. " Buts hewa s ,ofc our s e .Andl a t et ha tni ght ,a f t e rac a ndl e l i ghtdi nne ra nda s e duc t i veni ght i et ha tdi dn' tha vemuc hc ha nc et os e duc ebe f or ei twoundupon t hef l oor ,s hel e thi mknowj us twha ts hewa supt o. " Thr e epa r t se vi l , "hema na ge di nadr a i ne d,s ome wha tda z e dvoi c el ongi nt ot heni ght ." I ' l lha vet ot ha nkHe rHi ghne s s . " Sheha dt oe xpl a i n,ofc our s e . La t e r . Epi l ogue Ke l s e yga vehi sbos sawa r yl ooka shec a mei nt ot heof f i c e ." Youwa nt e dt o s e eme ? " " Iha vea na s s i gnme ntf oryou,myboy, "Ha ge nt ol dhi mbr i s kl y. Ma ki nghi ms e l fc omf or t a bl ei nt hevi s i t or ' sc ha i r ,Ke l s e yf r owne d." Idon' t know,bos s .You' vegot t e nt ooda mne dgooda tma t c hma ki ngl a t e l yf ormyt a s t e . I ' mnowhe r ene a rr e a dyt oge tma r r i e d. " Ha ge ns t a r e da thi m,wounde d." Doyour e a l l ybe l i e veIwoul dde l i be r a t e l y l os emybe s ta ge nt ? " " De l i be r a t e , "Ke l s e ys a i d," ha sl i t t l et odowi t ht hema t t e r .You' vehi tmor e bul l ' s e ye sbya c c i de ntt ha nonpur pos e . " " I twon' tha ppe na ga i n, "Ha ge ns a i dde f i ni t e l y. " Le t ' snott a kea nyc ha nc e s , "Ke l s e ybe gge d." Nof e ma l epa r t ne rt hi st i me , a l lr i ght ?Don' ts e ndmet oat r opi c a li s l a nd,ort ot heba c kofbe yond,ort oas e c l ude de s t a t e ,ore ve nt oal a r gec i t y.It hi nkt ha tc ove r si t . " Ha ge ns t a r e da thi m. " I ' mnotr e a dyt oge tma r r i e d, "Ke l s e yr e pe a t e df i r ml y. " You' l lbewor ki ngwi t hDe r e kt hi st i me . " Ke l s e ybl i nke d." De r e k?Yourout l a wDe r e k?Thema nwhone ve rbe l i e ve sa s i ngl e ,s ol i t a r yt hi ngyout e l lhi m?Thema nwhodoe s n' tus eguns ?Tha tDe r e k? " " Tha tDe r e k. " Af t e ramome ntKe l s e ys a i ds l owl y," Mus tbes omej obi fyou' ver ope dhi m i nt oi t . " " I ti s ,i nde e d.Andweknowa l mos tnot hi nga boutwha t ' sgoi ngon.Yout wo wi l lbeonyourown. " Ke l s e yc ur s e dhi sc ur i os i t y. Buthes a tf or wa r dt ol i s t e n.