Page 150 of The Girl Who Only Died Once

Even half a block away, they can see Killian standing at the window, watching them.

Seanna makes a complicated hand signal to him, something Chloe’s never seen before, and Killian inclines his head enough to make it out, before he disappears from the window.

Once inside,Killian instructs Seanna to pack a bag for at least a week, which feels optimistic, but Chloe could always tell Alette or Delina to take her shopping, before handing Chloe Seanna’s phone.

And now she has to convince the other group to take care of a twelve-year-old.

The only number she has memorized is Gurlien’s, so she types it in.

UNKNOWN NUMBER (3:11 PM): This is Chloe. Lost my phone. I’m injured but alive. We need a place to keep a twelve-year-old safe.

Three dots immediately start, and she can hear Killian’s muffled voice from beyond the other door, with nothing in response.

GURLIEN (3:12 PM): Tell me the name of our cat.

Chloe’s brow raises. It’s a separate code for them, one where they’re skeptical that the other’s communications have been hacked and their normal code might be compromised.

Because telling the name of the cat is easy, but long ago, back when they first got to the cabin and the cat first appeared, they decided that question must be answered with the why of the name. A second part where someone torturing them or merely impersonating would have issues uncovering.

UNKNOWN (3:13 PM): Chance because it was chance that brought him to the cabin.

Immediately, the phone vibrates in her hand for a video call, and Chloe sighs, before answering it.

“I can’t hear anything, some magical injury that he says should fade,” Chloe says, as soon as Gurlien’s frowning face appears. “I was in too much magic as it broke.”

A spark of alarm flashes over his face.

“I can still do alchemy,” she says, quickly. “But Killian’s…adopted daughter…” she hesitates just a bit at that, “is in danger. She’s…she’s Boltiex’s daughter. From Ambra’s escape.”

Gurlien listens to her, for once not a trace of anger across his face, just the immediate analytical expression he makes when he thinks he’s casually thinking of something, before he mimes texting her and kills the call.

She immediately misses his face. It’s been a month, and this is the most she’s seen him outside of anger.

GURLIEN (3:18 PM): Protection from other people or other demons?

UNKNOWN (3:19 PM): People. Same people who tried to attack Alette’s base. Killian wants to know if you can watch her there, since they were unsuccessful before.

GURLIEN (3:20 PM): Is she being tracked?

Chloe worries her lip.

UNKNOWN (3:21 PM): We don’t think she is. We think Killian’s actions are. We were attacked, it wasn’t good.

And then there’s a wait, which makes sense. Even in a perfect time, a friendly time, Gurlien would have to confer with Alette (which is always fraught) and Ambra about taking in a twelve-year-old girl, never mind a risk.

Chloe sits heavily on the bed, and every bone in her body aches at that simple motion, with the world too quiet. The bed should creak, the scratchy blankets rustle, the wind outside should clatter the glass.

GURLIEN (3:28 PM): Ambra and I will take her and work on everyone else.

Chloe flops over on the bed, which should creak, squeezing her eyes shut.

UNKNOWN (3:28 PM): He wanted to make sure she could be protected. His first thought was Ambra and T.

GURLIEN (3:29 PM): Large Tree at the base of the driveway of Alette’s compound. We’ll meet you there.

Chloe doesn’t know how close he’s gotten to there, but it’ll have to do.

Seanna wanders in the room, and Chloe opens her eyes to a curious stare of a pre-teen. Her bright purple backpack swings from one shoulder and a few scrunchies adorn her wrist.

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