I stew in irritation for about a mile. Andrea may act tough, but she's worried. Scared—for us, or the clan, I don't know. So I ask, "Are they okay? Back home? Everyone in Silent Peak?"
Her eyes soften a fraction. "I think so. The witches got what they wanted, they had no reason to linger."
It's quiet until the van shifts. The driver pulls off, which means the time for whatever plan we don't have, it's just about here. I don't know what to do. I'm trying not to panic, but I can't hear Beep and I hate it.
And my head feels swimmy. And my skin feels itchy, and there's a faint pain in my abdomen.
"I'm sorry I was such a bitch to you," Andrea says, which, honestly, confession time only makes me feel like the end is nigh. I'd rather she were mean.
"Are you?"
She scoffs. The sound is too loud, and we both freeze, but the witch doesn't turn to look at us. The road is bumpier, louder. He takes a left turn, then a right. The van speeds up again, but whatever is coming, it's close.
"No, I'm not. I told you I was right all along. Youaredangerous… but… I could have handled it better. The clan, their safety. It's more important to me than anything."
She looks mildly contrite. Might be the best I get out of her, and well… technically, shewasright all along, we just didn't realize it. "You're kind of intense, Andrea."
She doesn't look offended. Her hair is sticking to her face. She smells like burnt flesh. She's bleeding and filthy, was spelled by magic. She's a hot fucking mess and still snarling. "I kind of love you," I muse.
She rolls her eyes. "Jury's still out on you."
This time I do laugh. Too loudly. But it feels good. "Now you're just flirting."
She smiles, and it's genuine, but I don't have time to appreciate it. In a panic, like I'll lose the chance again, I say, "I'm sorry about the kitchens."
"I deserved it. But I'm not staying there."
"You shouldn't. Grayson was wrong to punish you."
"He wasn't."
The van is slowing down. The tires rumble and we bounce around, knocking into each other. Then a cramp hits me and I hiss, curling in.
"What was that?"
"Nothing," I say.
The van comes to a full stop. Then does a three-point turn.
Andrea's eyes go wide. "Why are you sweating?"
"Rude," I grumble.
"Mona? What's wrong?"
I shake my head. Then she presses her cheek to mine. And swears.
"Shit. I think you're going into heat."
I think I knew already, but when she says it… I suck in a sharp breath, trying to hold back the fear. The panic.
The witch gets out of the van. He leaves the driver's side door open behind him.
"Luna—you—" her eyes suddenly wide. Like she knows what's coming. Like I'm going to need that little bit of strength. "You can handle this. Whatever comes. Be strong, okay? Whatever comes, be strong. We'll find you.I'llfucking find you!"
She's yelling now. Tears are streaming down my cheeks, my heart is racing. The witch reaches in with a giant silver chain. He throws it over Andrea's body. She cries out in pain. I scream for her.
"Stop! You're hurting her!" I cry.
