Page 147 of Ashes

My heart lurched at that information. I hadn’t known that was why he was at the facility with me. He’d tried to kill himself because of me.Because of Sinclair Priest.

Nausea rolled heavily through my guts.

He’d held me. Tried to protect me.

Not Sinful though. He’d thrown me to the wolves as a meal. Stitches almost died because of what Sin had done. His list of offenses kept rising.

“It’s just not safe here, Rina. I want us to be safe.”

I leaned in and rested my forehead against hers. She sucked in a breath as her hand trembled in mine.

“Stay,” I rasped in a trembling voice.

She let out a soft sob and nodded her forehead against mine. “OK. OK. We’ll stay.”

We held onto one another for a long time.

“Rina?” she finally whispered, her forehead still against mine.

I said nothing, waiting for her to talk again.

“D-Did Sin h-hurt you? Is that why you’re scared of him?”

I shook at the mention of his name.

She sniffled. “Did he put you in that coffin?” She pulled away and stared at me. “Did he help Asylum?”

I remained quiet, at an impasse. I loved the watchers. I knew I did. If they found out Sin had done that to me and had lied, they’d throw him out. Or worse.

It would hurt them. They were family.

I couldn’t do that to them.

I was always a secret keeper.

And this would just be another I’d keep. For now.

“OK,” Cady whispered, offering me a shaky smile. “OK. I’ll find out another way then. You don’t have to tell me your secrets. Not even about Seth.”

I blinked at her. She knew about the shovel with him. Or rather, Asylum. Maybe it was just her suspicions.

I wasn’t going to confirm or deny that either.

For now, all the secrets in the world were safe with me.

ASYLUM

Ismiled at Sin in the lobby.

“I’m surprised you’re waiting,” I said, stopping next to him to look out the window.

“Just in case.” He grunted.

“Of what?” I let out a snort as Ilistened. “Oh, I see. You think you’d be able to stop me if I went on a killing spree. Cute, Priest. Inaccurate, but cute nonetheless.”

“Why don’t you just let her come home?” he asked softly. “You promised Church and the guys.”

“I did, didn’t I?” I laughed softly. “I always keep my word too. My little firefly will be back in no time to light up the dark paths of the watchers. It just hasn’t played out the way it should yet. Have a little patience.”

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