"Her therapist thinks it's a good step. Just the last week before half term, just to get her feet wet."
"And if she has a panic attack? If someone says something stupid? If she sees a guy who looks remotely like him?"
"Then we'll be there," I said firmly. "You, me, Luce. We'll handle it." Ryder ran a hand over his face.
"I just... I can't stand the thought of her being hurt again. Even emotionally."
"I know." I placed a hand on his shoulder, feeling the tension there. "But we can't keep her locked away forever. She needs to reclaim her life." He nodded, though the worry didn't leave his eyes.
"What about Max? You really think he's good for Luce?" The abrupt change of subject caught me off guard, but I knew what he was asking. After Ryder's confrontation with his father, he'd immediately cornered Max, threatening all manner of bodily harm if he hurt Luce. To everyone's surprise, Max had stood his ground. Told Ryder that he could threaten whatever he wanted, but he cared for Luce and would continue seeing her. I think Ryder would have killed him there on the spot if Cade hadn’t given Max a good for you and a wink.
"I think he genuinely cares about her," I said carefully. "And having him watch out for her when we can't be there is a good thing. Especially with your father making threats." Ryder's expression darkened at the mention of his father.
"If that bastard goes anywhere near Luce or Cade, I'll kill him. I'm not even slightly exaggerating."
"I know," I said again, and I did. The rage that lived in Ryder, usually so carefully controlled, had been closer to the surface since Cade's abduction. Sometimes I worried about what would happen when it finally boiled over.
"Come on," I said, nodding toward the door. "She's waiting for us."
We found Cade in front of her bedroom mirror, Luce hovering anxiously beside her. The sight of her hit me like a physical blow, as it did every time. She'd gained some weight over the past six weeks, but she was still too thin; her collarbones jutted sharply beneath the soft fabric of her sweater. Her purple hair, our small victory, framed her face in gentle waves, making her blue eyes seem enormous in her pale face. She was beautiful.
She was terrified.
"I can't do this," she was saying to Luce, her voice barely above a whisper. "Everyone will stare. Everyone will know."
"They won't," Luce insisted, adjusting the sleeve of Cade's sweater. "And if they do stare, it's only because you look amazing." Cade gave a hollow laugh.
"Right. Amazing. I look like I've been through hell."
"You have," Ryder said from the doorway, his voice gentle in a way it only ever was with her. "And you survived it. That makes you the strongest person in any room you walk into." Cade's eyes met his in the mirror, then shifted to mine. The vulnerability there made my chest ache. I wanted to wrap her in my arms, toshield her from everything and everyone. But I knew that wasn't what she needed today.
"We'll be with you the whole time," I promised, moving into the room. "If it gets too much, just say the word and we'll bring you home. No questions asked." She nodded, taking a shaky breath.
"I know. I just... what if I freeze? What if I see someone who looks like-" She broke off, unable to say his name.
"Then you tell us," Ryder said firmly. "And we handle it."
"Exactly," Luce agreed. "Plus, I've already warned everyone in our classes that if they so much as look at you wrong, they'll have me to deal with." A small, genuine smile touched Cade's lips.
"Terrifying."
"Damn right," Luce grinned, though I could see the worry lurking behind her bravado.
Cade turned from the mirror, facing us directly.
"Okay. I think I'm ready." I studied her face, looking for signs that she was pushing herself too hard.
"Are you sure? There's no rush, Cade. Another week wouldn't-"
"I'm sure," she interrupted, her voice steadier now. "I can't hide forever. And I..." She hesitated, a flash of determination crossing her face. "I won't let him take anything else from me. My education, my friends, my life. He doesn't get to win."
Pride swelled in my chest, fierce and unexpected. This was the Cade I remembered, the one who had stood up to us in the beginning, who had fought against every attempt to control her. The spark that Damien had tried to extinguish was still there, flickering back to life.
"Then let's do this," I said, offering her a smile I hoped concealed my own anxiety. "One class at a time." Cade nodded, squaring her shoulders. It was a small gesture, but it made myheart swell. Every step she took toward reclaiming her life felt like a victory, a middle finger to the monster who had tried to break her. Luce looped her arm through Cade's.
"I've already arranged for us to sit in the back row, near the door. And I've got emergency chocolate in my bag."
"For emergencies only," Cade agreed, the ghost of a smile playing at her lips.
