Chapter 18
Of known home-things and journeys afar,
Of living in gardens on yonder star,
Of ladies and lords and trolls with swords,
And warriors boasting battle scars.
— From An Ode to Childhood, Annalise Phenix
[Martech Office, London, England — Dana]
Gavin gripped my sore arm roughly.
I shivered, thinking of Marie alone with Leonard. Now that I was outside of Lara’s haven, contact with Marie had returned. I could feel her anxiety interlaced with her usual layers of peace.
She was calm and close. Close and alone.
Anna’s helpers tossed me into Leonard’s office with her.
I stumbled against the wall. Marie glanced up from where she sat. Not a strand of her blonde French twist was out of place. Her face was more like that of a porcelain doll than a captive. I admired the way her wh
