Page 52 of Possession

Again, my brow wrinkles. He keeps saying “they” instead of “we.” What’s that supposed to mean? “But I’d have to help them in return?” I ask slowly.

“Aris probably would, yes, but you’d be an equal this time. I’d advocate for you.”

“Right.” There’s no way that I’m even considering that. The last time I was there, they wanted to find Aris another body. It’s painfully clear how expendable I am. Even if Aris agreed to return and help them, there’s no security for me. “No thanks. What are my other options?”

“What?” he says, surprised I’ve discounted it so quickly.

“I don’t want to go back to the mages. What else can I do?”

“Well, if you aren’t returning, then I’m thinking we lay low,” he says. “We can ward ourselves and hide out from everyone hunting you, just until we figure out something more permanent.”

I blink. I didn’t actually think that he’d have another option ready. Maybe he does want to help. “Really? Where?” I ask with renewed hope.

He shoots a smile at me. “That’s where I’m going now. I know of a cabin up in Maine—a buddy of mine owns it. He won’t mind if we crash there for a bit.”

I slowly start to relax in my seat. “And what will we do there, in this cabin?” I ask.

“I’m sure you need a lot of rest. You’ve been through a lot.”

“But what will you do? Are you going back to the Grand Mage?”

He gives me a look, like this is an odd question. “I’m going to stay with you.”

“I don’t understand—you’re leaving the mages?” I ask, growing more confused when Henry nods. He’s been with them for years. The life he proposed for me is his own.

“No,” I say.

“No?” he repeats, raising a brow.

“No, I don’t want you to give everything up. You’ll have helped me enough by driving me. Once we get to the cabin, there’s no need to stay.”

“But I want to.”

I take a breath. Doesn’t he understand? “You’ll be leaving your whole life behind, and I don’t think you’d be able to go back to it. I don’t want you to feel trapped with me.”

“Trapped with a beautiful girl?” He grins and sends me a wink. “I welcome such traps.”

My face feels like it’s on fire, and Aris, who has been quiet up until this point, laughs. I can’t tell if it’s at Henry or at me—I’m too frazzled to consider either option.

But Henry quickly sobers, growing serious. “Mary, I know what I’m doing, and I’m ready to leave it behind. I watched them abuse you for years, and I did nothing. I owe you this.”

A swell of shame rushes over me. How could I have been so suspicious? I was ready to condemn him with no proof at all. Yes, maybe he contradicted himself, but situations contain multitudes. He doesn’t owe me his life story, anyway—not when he’s trying to help.

You’ve made me paranoid, Aris.

I’ve made you clever.

Henry looks at me, eyes shining with emotion that can’t be faked. Once again, I worry that he might even cry. “Let me make things right,” he says softly.

I want to hug him for believing in me; I want to believe him. I think that I do… but, beside my appreciation, is Aris’ surviving disdain and reservation. They are so intricately woven together that it is almost impossible to untangle what feelings are my own; I’m not certain if I share in his doubt, or if Aris’ distrust is so insistent that it’s carrying over to me

“Let’s go to the house,” I say, and Henry nods, a small, grateful smile tugging at his lips. My lips upturn as well; it’s nice to know that that I’m the one making him smile.

For a while, we travel in silence. Henry turns on some music, but I don’t really listen, still nervous. Though I am nearly convinced that Henry is on my side and things have gone well so far, I doubt that it will last; everything always goes wrong.

I keep expecting the engine to blow or a deer to run in front of the car, sending us spiraling and crashing. Something. But when an hour passes and nothing happens, I start to relax. Tentatively.

“Can I ask you something?” I say, twisting my hospital bracelet. It reminds me of the one Silva snipped off of me, and the familiar weight comforts me.

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