a world away from

oney-infused tea that soothed the raw fire in my throat. My voice was still gone

team brought me to the airfield. He just held my hand, his grip firm and steady, his eyes,

aid, his voice thick with emotio

et offered by a

lf, too. I

ched for months. The authorities found traces of a struggle, some of your gear mi

indow at the clouds below

d Marcus, stepped forward. He placed a small

con's secondary instructions, it began recording all ambient soun

y ribs. I had forgotten abo

ressed a

gant and boastful. He was talking to a fri

part? I'm dumping the charity case. Chloe is ev

ace hardened into

friend asked him about his start

d. A cruel,

, you know, cleaning cabins. She saw this rich girl, decked out in all the best gear. My mom... she wasn't a good perso

ather's hand tightened on mine

ie from the cold. So she stripped her. Took her watch, her designer ski suit, her wallet, everything. Pawned it all. That's what she used to

nt except for the

an accident. His mother had tried to murder me. And he knew. He had k

d on a roadside days later, claiming I was a hit-and-run victim... she

e, it was a sick, twisted joke. He hadn't just used me for

something ancient and terrifying. It was the look that had made the Ste

tellite phone and

ghter of a Silicon Valley VC. I want to know where they are celebrating tonight,"

a silent promise

ed me. They had no idea they