Link

Sam was leaning against the windowed wall leading out to the deck, studying August from afar. She somehow managed to appear relatively unscathed, unlike how he had found Marius.

"Are you hurt?" he asked.

August readjusted the blanket around her as she sat on the sofa opposite him. "No," letting out a deep breath. "Thanks to you," she gave him a smile. "Did you call Graeme?" She shuddered thinking of how furious Graeme would be. He was going to blame himself again, she just knew it. She dreaded seeing that guilt in him, and she could only hope he wouldn't react the way she was anticipating.

"He can't know yet," he gave her an apologetic look. "If he rushes out of the council, they'll know something is wrong. We don't need anyone blaming you two for his death."

"Won't they know anyway?"

He shook his head calmly. "Marius masked his scent, so there's no tracing him here."

"How did you know he was here?"