His entire body focuses. "What?"
Drake moves closer. Eli squeezes my shoulder. Jasper's attention sharpens to a knife-edge.
Marie's eyes flick to me, then away, as if looking hurts. "I was just watching the show. The zookeeper. Andthen I went to look at the gorillas and Vee was behind me and then she—"
She chokes, sobbing.
"She what?" Ragon demands, voice like iron.
"She pushed me. I didn't just fall. She pushed me. I felt her hands on my back and then I was falling."
The revelation struck with the force of a punch to the gut.
My breath leaves my body.
Everyone stares at me.
"No," I say, immediately, voice shaking. "No, I didn't. I didn't touch you."
Marie sobs harder. "You were right there. Right behind me. I felt it. I swear. I didn't move. I was just standing there and then—"
"I didn't push you," I say again, louder. My heart is hammering so hard my vision pulses.
Ragon's eyes are on me now, blue gone dark.
"You were the only one close enough," Marie says, tears streaming. "You've been so angry with me. I thought— I thought you were just— but then you looked at me so—"
Drake's face is a mess—shock, disbelief, horror. "Vee? What the hell happened? You were right there."
"I know where I was. I was beside her. Not touching. People were moving. Someone bumped me from behind. I didn't push her. I swear to God!"
"Then how did she go over?" Drake yells. "She wouldn't have just walked off the edge!"
"Crowd surge," Eli says quickly. "She could've been jostled. Someone could've bumped both of them. We werepacked in pretty tight. Vee's not—" His jaw works. "She wouldn't."
Thank you, I think wildly.Thank you.
Ragon's scent is a storm.
His hand clenches so hard on the wheelchair handle the plastic creaks.
"Everyone calm down," Jasper says, tone like a snapped chalk line. "We are outside. There are witnesses. Cameras. Wild accusations will not help anyone."
"Ask them," I beg, words pouring out. "Ask the staff to pull the camera footage. The gorilla exhibit is loaded with security cameras. We were right near the stage—someone's phone has video. It'll show what happened. I didn't—" My throat tightens. "I didn't do this."
Marie shakes her head, sobbing. "I know what I felt. Her hands on my back. Shoving. She's wanted me gone since the day I showed up."
"I didn't," I whisper, helpless. "I swear. I swear on— I wouldn't risk you like that. Not even at my angriest. You're pack."
Her gaze slams into mine.
For a second, I see something like doubt flicker there.
Then it hardens.
"You hate me. You said the other day you wish I'd never come. You called me a spare. You said you wish they'd never—"
"I saidIfelt spare," I correct, desperate. "I was talking aboutme. Not you. I would never— Marie, look at me. Look at me."
