Page 125 of Iris

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It takes her an agonizing minute to respond.

Quinn

For what? Sorry, Iris. Total hell here. Explain later. What’s up?

Hell? I chew my lip.

Was gonna ask if I can I say I was with you this week?

Quinn

Duh. Mother and the evil sisters are away with Dad—Europe. They’re mate-hunting.

And you didn’t want to go?

I’m distracting myself.

Quinn

With them? Mate hunting? Gross. Answer’s god no. What’s up? The QB’s noted your lack public outings…

I suck in a breath.

Tell you later, too complicated via text. Heat. Avoid my bro.

Quinn

!!!!

Done and done.

Thnx

Quinn

I rule, I know. When are you coming here?

I’ll send heads up. Maybe a few hours, maybe sooner?

Quinn

At least you’ve got it narrowed down. Also we need to come up with a plan. I hate the QB. She’s on about you being mixed up with the Shades.

I hate her too. See you soon.

“Icy!”

I hurry over to Emmie and admire her coloring in again, and the little pictures she drew especially the one of me where my stick figure is holding the hand of Emmie and a frighteningly huge Delores is with us.

“That’s great!”

“Iris?” Killian’s voice is soft and yet commanding, and I immediately turn. “We need to work out where to take you and when?—”

“No…Icy lives with us.” She frowns and looks at Xavier. “No, Papa, she will live with me. Won’t you, Icy?”

My heart squeezes, and I run a hand over the little girl’s blonde hair, a lump unexpectedly forming in my throat.

I’m about to say something when someone raps on the door, and it bursts open.

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