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“Fifteen,” I agreed. “If I’m not out in fifteen minutes, something’s wrong.”

The corner of his mouth twitched. Almost a smile.

“Then. I come in.”

“Then you come in. But only then. Only if there’s no other choice.”

Silence. Moonlight on the floor. The cloak a dark pool of feathers at our feet.

“I was trying to find a way to do this alone,” I said quietly. “I didn’t want to ask you to risk yourself. Not for this. Not for me.”

He was still for a long moment. Then he stepped closer, pulling me against his chest. His wings came up and around us, feathers settling like a blanket.

“Never. Alone.” His voice was rough against my hair. “Not anymore.”

I pressed my face into his shoulder. Let myself lean into him. Let myself, for just a moment, stop worrying.

“Tomorrow night,” I said. “Tomorrow night.”

His arm tightened around me. His voice came out barely louder than a breath.

“We get. Our sister.”

I didn’t correct him.