Page 114

"You've got a lot of opinions for something that can't finish a sentence."

He turns his back on me and walks into the hydrangeas, which is fair.

The rest of the red thread goes into an envelope, and the envelope goes into the inside pocket of my jacket. I hang Maren a new door with a dead bolt she'll be able to throw from either side.

Evelyn's text comes at four. Two words and no greeting, which is her whole personality.

Come now.

The gates at Sorrell House are open when I get there, which they never are.

She meets me on the gravel instead of making me come inside, which is worse.

"Tonight," she says. "Both of you. There's a room made up."

"No."

"Gage."

"She doesn't want it."

"She's just learned about her magic and is very close to a full awakening." Her gloves are on. Her gloves are always on. The little silver lantern sits at the base of her throat, catching the last of the light. "There were nine of them on your grass. Do you understand that they weren't sent to take her? They were sent to test you. "

I stand there.

"And I did it," I say.

"You did it and you figured out the right answer."

"I figured out your answer." I look past her at that white house, at all those windows with old glass in them. "You've had six months to tell her what she is. But, you wouldn't even say the word in your own kitchen. Now the wards are down and you'd like her behind your gates by dark."

"Yes."

"Why?"

"Because I can protect her there."

"That's not why." I take one step and the gravel goes quiet under me. "Evelyn. What happened to the last one?"

Her chin comes up.

For about a second and a half, something moves behind her face that has nothing to do with policy. Grief, maybe. Grief that's been carried so long it's hard to recognize.

"Bring her tonight," she says, "and I'll tell you both everything you'd rather not know."

"Tell me one now."

"No."

"Then no."

She lets out a breath. "The Lantern can't keep resources on a house to protect her if you won't take instruction. By Sunday you'll be alone out there."

"I've been alone out there since April." I'm already turning. "I'll manage."

I call Cass from the truck before I'm off the private road.

"How many can you get me by dark?"