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Reasonable.

I spent the first twenty years convinced I’d eventually wake up. Then another twenty passed. Then another. Somewhere along the way, I stopped waiting for morning.

Sage looks at Malakai. “Try letting go again.”

“No.”

“We need to know.”

“We know.”

“I need to know.”

He hesitates before reluctantly releasing her.

The ribbon constricts instantly, making her gasp. Kai grabs her again and it loosens.

“Okay.” She takes several quick breaths. “That’s fucking weird.”

Mariah stares at his hand. “So he has to touch her?”

“For now.” Malakai says.

Sage looks at him. “For now?”

“I don’t know.”

“Excellent.” She rubs her forehead. “Love that.”

Ezra looks toward the farm. “We need to get her inside.”

“Inside where?”

“The house.” He answers and she follows his gaze.

Ward house sits beyond the eastern field, mostly hidden behind oak trees. The original portion was built in 1793. The first house burned. We don’t discuss the first house. Mostly because I burned it.

Long story. Good fire though.

“Sage,” Mariah says. “I don’t know if going to Creepy Farm Mansion with the immortal men is the right move.”

“Thank you.” Sage points at her. “Someone is thinking.”

“I vote car.”

“You can’t cross the boundary,” Ezra says.

Mariah looks at him. “Then we’ll carry her.”

“That won’t work.”

“How do you know?”

Ezra doesn’t answer.

Mariah rolls her eyes and turns to Sage. “I hate him.”

She nods. “He grows on you.”