“My tiger recognized her the second she got here,” I add, my voice low. “Didn’t even hesitate.”
Conrad exhales slowly. “Then it’s real.”
“I know.”
“That doesn’t mean it’s simple.”
“Nothing about this is simple.”
He pushes off the truck, pacing a step before turning back to me. “Does she know?”
“No.”
“And you haven’t told her.”
“That would be a terrible idea.”
“Good,” he says firmly. “Because it is.”
I glance toward the tree line, my jaw tight.
“I can’t stay away,” I admit.
“That’s not surprising.”
“She’s right there. In that building. It’s not safe, Conrad.”
“That’s a separate issue.”
“Not to me.”
His gaze sharpens. “You don’t get to blur those lines.”
I meet his eyes. “Watch me.”
A beat passes. Then he sighs.
“I get it,” he says. “Believe me, I do. But she’s human, Archer. If you bring her into this—if she learns what we are—you put a target on her back.”
“I know that.”
“Do you?” he presses. “Because once that door opens, there’s no closing it. Not for her. Not for you.”
The weight of that settles heavily.
“I’m not telling her anything,” I say finally.
“Good.”
“For now.”
He doesn’t look reassured.
“Just… be careful,” Conrad says. “For her sake, if not your own.”
I nod once. Because that part, at least, I’m already committed to.
—
