The sweep took most of the night, teams of two moving through every building on the estate with the particular grim thoroughness of people who understood, by now, exactly what they were likely to find if they weren't careful enough. I paired with June, mostly because Ronan wanted the two marked brides kept close together, and we worked our way through the guest quarters in a silence that felt heavier than the task itself warranted.
"You're thinking about the photograph," I said, checking behind a wardrobe that hadn't been moved in what looked like years.
"I'm thinking about how long they've had eyes on me without me noticing anything at all." June's voice was tight, controlled. "I used to think I was good at reading a room. Rehabilitating wild animals teaches you to notice things — body
