Chapter 74: Family Visit

We didn't go far, Mathias setting us down in an alley in the city, early evening in the metropolis on the edge of the continent no less lively than any other time of day. I hugged myself as I shivered my way through frustration and disappointment while the pair made their own plans without me.

Just as well. When I turned at last to find them staring into one another's eyes, clearly talking in their heads, I felt a wash of resentment toward them, of jealousy and petulant childishness that Leah chuckled over.

Stop being such a baby, she sent, amused enough to just make my temper worse.

Bite me, I snarled back.

"Ethie." Mathias reached out to me with one hand but I backed away, shaking my head. I needed to go, get away from them, from all of this, just for a while. And had a moment of memory, of a promise I'd made not so long ago.