Page 21 of Barely Breathing

“She knows I know about her now. I have to talk to her.”

“Of course you do.” There’s something in Astrid’s tone, a thread of genuine concern she can’t entirely hide beneath her frost. “The things you have facedrecently—the labyrinth, Draakmar, your amulet. These are all challenges.”

I’m not sure what she’s getting at.

“I raised you to be strong and self-reliant. You’re ready for the big things life throws at you. You’ve proven that.” She touches my hand again, and this time, her touch lingers. “It’s not the big things that do us in. It’s the big things that take our attention. That’s when the small creeps in—a tiny little thing you’re not looking at falls on top of you like an unassuming feather. It is that last straw that breaks you. You wanted my advice. There it is. Fight the big battles, but don’t take your eyes off of the little things.”

“I understand.” I nod. At least, I hope I understand. It seems the only correct answer.

She lets go and reopens her book. “Do try not to start a war tonight. The Freemonts are causing enough trouble without adding werewolf politics to the mix.”

“You know?” The question slips out in my surprise.

She scoffs and brushes off the question with a small wave of her ringed hand.

“Oh, and your father returns next week,” she says as if reading the text from her book.

The mention of my father makes my stomachtighten. I wonder if he knows Lorelai is in town. I wonder if he cares.

My birth mother and werewolves hardly seem like little things to me. I should have suspected Lorelai would show up. This means Paul’s aren’t the only memories to return. Lorelai was present when the amulet broke. Maybe that’s the key.

Please don’t let Diana remember. Let her remain safe and innocent.

“Costin is here,” Astrid says as I stand from the couch.

Before I can respond, Costin materializes beside me, dressed entirely in black but for a peek of blood red lining the inside of his slim jacket. The contrast between his elegance and the fact I chose jeans, running shoes, and a T-shirt strikes me as absurd.

I mean, come on.Werewolves. I’m going in ready to run for my life.

“Lady Astrid.” He bows slightly.

“Constantine,” she acknowledges, smoothing invisible wrinkles from her silk blouse.

“Is that what you’re wearing?” Costin asks me, his eyes trailing down my body in a way that makes my skin warm.

Astrid chuckles.

“Yes.” I grab Costin’s arm. “We’re leaving.”

“May I mesmerize you for the trip?” he offers, reaching for my face.

“No, we’ll take the elevator.” I cross the foyer and press the call button. The memory of being under his influence for a week only makes me angry. I hate feeling like I missed something crucial during that lost time.

“But I can?—”

“No. I don’t trust you to bring me out of it. Besides, I felt like my brain was encased in fog for hours last time.” When the elevator opens, I step on. He joins me, and I push the button to the lobby.

“This way will take a long time,” he says.

I don’t care. I’m proving a point.

I take out my phone. “I’ll order us a car.”

He tries to push my hair behind my ear, but I lean to the side. “Don’t be sweet. I’m mad at you.”

“As you wish.”

The doors open, and I stride from within. I beat the doorman and push my way outside. A blast of cool air hits me. I see a familiar car pull forward and instantly get inside the back.

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