Page 526 of Lodestar

Nodding, she bowed her head and seemed to drift off from the conversation as other chats came into being around the table as we all, silently, agreed to let her come to terms with what had just been discussed.

Around ten minutes into the shift in conversation, I received a text from Conor with a new song. I popped an earbud in so I could listen to it. Rose Royce’s “Wishing on a Star” was the opposite of his style but the title made me smile and the melody had me humming which was when I realized Aela was studying me.

When she saw I’d caught her watching me, she raised a brow and tipped her chin at Aoife before dipping it at me in silent thanks.

I bowed my head and returned my focus to the dish in front of me.

I might not like afternoon tea, but at least it came with cake.

SENATOR FITZGERALD COMMITS SUICIDE

Scott Fitzgerald,senator of Indiana, committed suicide last night and his body was found prior to his attempted arrest by the FBI as agencies around the nation investigate the Sparrows.

He is but one of the officials believed to have taken their lives to avoid justice.

Sheridan Reinier, Garry Smythe, and David Foundry are three others—their bodies have yet to be found, but their ties to the NWS, according to Interpol, run deep.

Fitzgerald leaves a wife and three daughters behind.

PART 4

The ocean does not apologize for its depth and the mountains do not seek forgiveness for the space they take and so, neither shall I.

- Becca Lee

59

TEXT CHAT

THREE MONTHS LATER

Dead To Me: Are you stalking Temper?

Lodestar: I have better things to do with my time than stalk her.

Dead To Me: Hmm, that’s a non-answer.

Lodestar: How is that a non-answer?

Dead To Me: It is. You have better things to do with your time, sure, but what about your money?

Lodestar: What’s that supposed to mean?

Dead To Me: It means I know she betrayed you lol.

Lodestar: Then why ask?

Dead To Me: Because I want to know if it’s you.

Lodestar: Me, what?

Dead To Me: Stalking Temper! She asked me yesterday if I was behind it and I was sad to say that I wasn’t.

Lodestar: I’m paying someone.

Dead To Me: To stalk her?

Lodestar: I think she’s full of her own shit lol. He’s not ‘stalking’ her. He’s following her.

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