After we helped Shade's mother back to her room, now stripped to the bare minimum with her books boxed up and the mirrors removed, I made sure Athena got to the medbay. One of the healers stitched up the gash on her palm while she scowled at Shade's hovering.
He rolled his eyes and shoved his hand into her face. "You're not the only one who's ever grabbed a knife. Look."
She stared at the scar slicing through the base of his palm and thumb.
"That was from Aria's mom," he added. "Had to grab the blade barehanded. Bled like hell. Cried less than you, though."
Athena flipped him off without saying a word.
Shade pulled Cy aside. "Triple patrols until that Midline omega is found. I want every tunnel, ditch, and storm pipe searched. She's tiny. There is no telling where she is."
Cy nodded.
