Nineteen
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My eyes opened to the memory of a cup filled with crayons. The gold embers of the fire glowed. The moon shone through the window. I sat up. Blaise and Sara still slept.
If I left now, I could make it to my parents’ house and back before anyone had enough time to worry. Talin could get me there and back in a little over an hour if she didn’t mind galloping, which she never minded for me.
I crept out of my bed on the floor. The house was silent. Jonah was on watch in the library. I hoped he was asleep. I tiptoed down the stairs, careful to avoid the few that squeaked. In the kitchen I grabbed some smoked meat and stuffed it in my pocket. I retrieved the keys to both houses. They had been in the same location since our arrival. I carefully unlocked the deadbolt and used
