Page 261 of Hide and Keep

I regard the building, then her. “Do you want me to?”

For answer, she pushes the door open wider, silently inviting me in.

Inside, I’m immediately met with another door. In the tiny space, Ever explains the need to check for stowaways before leaving, then we go through the second door and it’s like being transported to a whole new world.

“Whoa,” I breathe as my head falls back to take in everything above us. The air in here is warm and humid, nothing like Connecticut right now. It’s also brilliantly green. Green everywhere. Like a tropical rainforest without any predators. Butterflies of all colors and patterns flutter overhead, through trees of all heights, some as tall as the glass ceiling.

There’s not a lot of sound in here. A small tinkling from running water maybe. Otherwise, it’s like dozens of tiny book pages fluttering.

Ever’s watching me closely.

“What do you think?”

“It’s magical.” There’s no other way to describe it in here. It’s amazing.

Grinning, she nods before scanning her conservatory like she’s trying to see it all from my perspective.

“You never let anyone else in here?”

“Only Edwin when I’m away.”

“So why am I here?”

“I need you.”

“What do you need me for?” I don’t know shit about butterflies.

Her eyes come back to mine.

“You’re my security blanket. I only feel safe when I’m around you.”

That warms me more than the rays of sunlight piercing the transparent roof.

“You are safe around me,” I promise her. “Even from your dad.”

“My father?” Her scoff is clearly forced, but it’s her hands going behind her back that give her away.

Crowding her, I reach around and grab her hands back there, letting her fidget with mine instead. With the other hand, I rub the side of her hip.

“He was the one making those bruises.”

Ever looks down between our bodies, keeping her eyes downcast for longer than necessary.

I release her hip to lift her chin.

Looking in her eyes, I swear to her, “And as long as I’m around, you don’t have to worry about him hurting you again.”

“He’s not—”

“No more lies, butter—”

Ever’s eyebrows jolt.

Fuck. I did it again. She’s not the butterfly. She couldn’t be. She said it herself she didn’t go to Hide and Keep.

She also said she started sneaking out at the end of last year. Hide and Keep was at the end of last year. My butterflydisappeared after a helicopter appeared. Arthur denied having a helicopter when it was brought up, but he’s a liar. Most of what he’s told me about Ever has been false. Even if he doesn’t have a helicopter now, that doesn’t mean he didn’t have one before. He has a helipad in his front yard. Why the fuck would anyone have a helipad in their front yard if they’ve never owned a helicopter?

“No more lies, bat,” I say to try to cover up my mistake.

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