Thirty-Five
Solma wants it to be Maxen at the door, which is why she flies up the stone stairs to open it. She expects it to be Blaiz, which is why she hesitates before reaching for the handle.
But it’s neither. Bell and Warren hurry to her side as Solma wrenches the door open.
It’s Olive. And Dr. Roseann. And Gerta, for some reason, resting her hand lightly on Cobra’s shoulder. On Cobra’s other side, with his hand in hers, is Mamba. They stand in a solemn line, and behind them are the other five Earth Whisperers, unsmiling, their hands clasped together. The orange-eyed Whisperer girl steps forward and looks up at her with a frown.
“You going to let us in, then?” she asks. “We’re here to help.”
Solma’s jaw slackens in surprise. Beside her, Warren beams.
There’s a heavy silence. Cobra
