Evie had stopped crying by the time they got back to the high-rise, but it hadn’t lasted. Her calm was brought on by exhaustion, nothing else. The moment they got inside the apartment, and Natalya took Flea’s jacket off her, Evie panicked again. There were dirty smears on her arms. A man’s fingers outlined in grime.
Evie had started clawing at herself, trying to get the marks off her skin. Natalya had to stop her before she hurt herself.
She had made Evie shower, and she had to go with her into the stall and help her, she was shaking so badly. Natalya had dressed her in sleeping clothes, something covering and warm. She’d taken her to the couch and wrapped her in a blanket as Natalya held her in her arms.
Evie’s rest was never long-lasting. She only stopped crying when she got too tired to keep going. Sometimes she fell asleep, and then she woke up crying again. It took hours before Evie could speak without sobbing halfway through the sentence.
“I was in the van,” she said quietly. “If Flea hadn’t come, then…”
Natalya hugged her tight. Natalya owed Flea a life debt for what he’d done. She wanted to thank him, even knowing the risk that came with thanking one of the sídhe.
“You’re safe, darling. You’re with me. You’re safe.”
It didn’t feel safe. The shadows seemed heavier. More looming and dangerous.
Natalya couldn’t stop thinking about how close it had been. If Flea had been just a little slower or hadn’t fought as well… Sins, if Sam hadn’t seen reason and warned Evie…
“I trusted her…” Evie didn’t sound angry. Only sorrowful.
“Sam?” Natalya barely kept the rage out of her voice.
“She was so scared.” Evie suddenly looked afraid. “Is she okay? Do you know?”
Natalya frowned in surprise. She wanted Sam tortured for what she did, but Evie was genuinely worried.
“Last I heard, Sam was alright.” Sam had been picked up and interrogated a few hours before. She’d apparently been out of herself with guilt.
Evie sighed in relief. “Thank God.”
“You… care?”
“They lied to her, Natalya. She was afraid, and she was desperate. Of course I care.”
Natalya couldn’t help but stare at her. How could she be this caring, still? Even after everything she’d been through, she was concerned about the woman who’d almost betrayed her. Even when she was this fragile and vulnerable, she still worried about people who didn’t deserve her attention.
Then she shocked Natalya by laughing.
“What’s funny?” Natalya asked, a little afraid that Evie had lost her mind.
“You. You want to kill her. Don’t you?”
Natalya didn’t answer. Evie laughed again, but it quickly transitioned into sobs.
“Promise you won’t,” Evie said after a moment.
Natalya sneered at the words. She didn’t want to make that promise. Not when Sam was the only link to Varro within murdering distance.
Evie leaned away from her, face serious. With her eyes red from tears, the expression looked tragic.
“Promiseme.”
There were many things Natalya could do.Wantedto do. But she couldn’t deny Evie a request made out of kindness.
“I promise.”
Evie kept staring at her. Only when Natalya put her face in her hands did she relax.
“I promise, darling. I won’t harm her.” Natalya ran her fingers over Evie’s skin, then through her hair. Her hands were shaking a little. She hoped Evie wouldn’t notice.
