Zarine's words rang out in Oliver's head. He felt a bitter cold sink into his skin.
“I'm sorry," Vamira said. Her voice seemed to come from a great distance away, faint and indistinct. Oliver forced his attention back to her. Her eyes were sad as she looked at him.
“It's a difficult question," she went on, “and of course I know it isn't fair to expect you to answer right away... but, well... if you did want to come with us again, you're welcome to." She left a long pause, waiting for him to say something.
Oliver wanted nothing more than to tell her that he wanted to travel with her and Odeile again. At least for a time, until he could figure things out a little better.
'But how can I?' he wondered in despair. He could not tell them about Zarine – not ever. 'What if I'm a danger to
