He slid back further into the room. Eden flexed her fingers at her sides, squaring off.
Kristen stopped in the doorframe, her face the perfect blank canvas Eden strived for herself. One look at Kristen and she knew she’d never master it. Not like that.
“You look quite…guilty,” Kristen said. She made no move to come closer. It wasn’t exactly a hesitation, but the best Eden could hope for.
“Guilty? Depends on the point of view, I guess.”
Sebastian slid in next to Kristen. His hand on her shoulder, he moved to get around, in front of her, breathless from his rush down the hallway. “They’re gone.”
“Who’s gone?”
“The doors are unlocked.” He didn’t take his eyes off Eden, though he spoke to Kristen. “All of them.”
Kristen’s jaw dropped, uncertainty creeping into her eyes. “That is unacceptable,” she said, turning to Eden, noticing Adam behind her for the first time. She snapped her fingers at him. “You. Where are they?”
Sebastian answered. “Ashes,” he said quietly. “On the floor.”
Eden dropped her hands as he spoke, her fingers uncurling.
“What have you done?” Kristen pushed around Sebastian.
“I’m leaving,” Eden said quickly, trying to keep her voice even. “If you try to stop me, I’ll do what I have to.” She’d lost some of the hard edge, had to press her hands against her sides to stop them from shaking. The backpack sat in the corner, near the door. She wondered if she’d make it that far if she took off running. If Sebastian would take her down. Kristen would lock her up, make her a Screamer. Or worse, turn her over to the Fallen.
“You can’t be serious.” Kristen’s expression shifted, the annoyed squint of her brow unraveling into amusement. She stepped out of the doorway with a sweeping gesture. “You’re free to go if you choose.”
Now it was Eden’s turn to falter, all the words she’d planned, the different scenarios she’d played out and…“You can’t trick me, Kristen.” That had to be it. Leaving couldn’t possibly go down so easily.
“It’s nothing of the sort. I kept you here to protect you while you learned enough to survive on your own. Clearly, you can. I consider my promise fulfilled.” Her eyes shot to Adam and back. “Frankly, if you’d spoken to me instead of acting like a rash child, we could have avoided this unpleasantness.” Kristen shook her head.
Eden circled closer to the door, to her bag. “So you mean to tell me I take out half your crew and you’re just gonna let me walk out the front door?”
Kristen’s eyes sparkled, a half smile etching into her cheek. “‘Do not go gentle into that good night. Rage, rage against the dying of the light.’” She smoothed the folds of her dress. “They did not rage. I have no use for the weak. One might say I owe you for using your talents to my advantage.” Her lips turned downward, eyes falling as she tapped with her finger. “I’m not one for gathering debt. Let’s pay it off now, shall we? In advice.”
Kristen leaned to the side, slipped her wrist into one of the backpack straps, and lifted it off the floor. “First, anger should never affect your loyalties. Going to Madeline for help might seem like your best option, but I would discourage this. When she finds out you’re playing house in Manhattan, she will not be happy.”
“Manhattan? What about Erin?” Adam flinched when Kristen met his eyes.
“Erin and her brood are on vacation.” She turned back to Eden, shot her a wink. “I’ve had a busy morning.”
“What did you do, Kristen?” Adam shifted behind her, moving closer as he spoke. “A dozen Siders don’t just go missing.”
“Really?” Kristen mused. “Because it seems to be quite the popular phenomenon as of late. They did clear out quite quickly.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder with a dismissive flourish. “Perhaps they went south for the winter. Erin’s always been fickle.”
“You think Madeline’s just gonna accept that? Erin is her best friend. They have an alliance, Kristen.”
“Had. The past tense of which will drive Madeline into a fury.” Kristen fell silent, tapping her free hand against the doorframe. “You should already know the logical move. You need to start thinking like a leader. Thoughts?”
“They kept you in check, didn’t they?” Eden asked. “Madeline and Erin. They were in an alliance. Against you.” Kristen raised an eyebrow, waiting. “So you’d need to break that, but you’d need backup after, to make sure Madeline doesn’t come after you herself.” The last