It didn’t seem very bright to put something around her neck that he could choke her with. “Are you ready?” she asked Sebastian, coming out of her room. They’d agreed to head out to Aerie early. If they could catch Luke off his game, maybe he’d slip up a bit. Not that it was likely. “Yes,” Sebastian said instantly. Eden nodded. From the corner of her eye she saw Az stand. She turned to him. “You’re not coming.” He froze with his hand in mid-reach for his coat, a perfect statue of confusion before his expression turned to disbelief. “You can’t be serious.” She kept her eyes on him. “I’m dead serious. You’re staying here, Az.” “Not a fucking chance, Eden.” He yanked his coat down. “Az.” She moved closer, putting her hands on his shoulders. “Listen to me, all right? Listen.” He shook his head, but she went on anyway. “Luke will do whatever it takes to get to you.” She searched his eyes, letting him see the fear in hers, not hiding it. “If you’re there, I’ll be concentrating on you.
