Page 119 of Land of Shadow

“I know, but that’s what has to happen, okay? I can’t leave Juno.”

“Even if she’s caused this?” Gretchen asks gently, her voice free of judgment.

I hate that my answer is yes. But it’s still the only answer I have. I won’t abandon her.

“All right.” Gretchen nods, seemingly reading my answer on my face. “I understand.”

“I’m sorry.” I shake, trying to stop myself from crying. “I’m so sorry. I know this is wrong, all of it. I know Juno has done …” I can’t say it. If I do, I feel like I might die.

“Nothing for you to be sorry about.” Wyatt squeezes me tighter. “Nothing at all.”

I let them hug me, feeling their warmth for the last time. New friends, gone as quickly as they came. “I’m going to miss you so much.”

“We’ll see you again,” Wyatt says, determination in his tone. “This isn’t goodbye forever, all right? Chill out with that.”

I hope he’s right, but I know in my heart he isn’t.

“Hello in there?” Gene’s voice creaks down the hallway.

“We’re here!” Evie calls.

My eyes water more when he appears, a sandwich in one hand. “Got this for you. Heard you were going to stay a while.”

“Yeah.” I only a sniffle a little.

“You sure we can’t get you to change your mind, Doc?” He puts the sandwich on the coffee table.

“I’m sure.” I offer him my hand.

He takes it, the usual tremor gone from his grip. “I don’t like it, but I’ve learned not to question you scientists. Have to let you go your own way, I suppose.”

Tears try to choke me up, so I hurriedly say, “You have to go,” then disentangle myself from them. “I don’t want you staying a moment longer than necessary.” I stand, forcing Evie and Wyatt up with me. “Go on. Get out of here. This penthouse is just for me.”

“I’ll have a nice meal ready for when you get to Atlanta.” Gene wraps me up in a hug, his arms strong around me.

Then Evie, smiling with tears in her eyes, gives me one more embrace. “See you soon,” she whispers.

Wyatt’s next. “I’ll work up a playlist for when you show up in Atlanta. Something with pizzazz.”

“Sounds good.” I squeeze him, then let him go.

“Try to keep them in line, would you?” I hug Gretchen.

“These two? Not possible.” She digs around in the bag on the side of her chair, then hands me a fresh syringe.

“What’s this?”

“You’re not the only one capable of whipping up a weapon.”

My eyes widen. “Is this the?—”

“Yes. A ‘break glass in case of emergency’ sort of thing. I’ll be able to replicate it in Atlanta, and I figured you might need this sooner rather than later. Be careful. Okay?”

“Thanks.” I slip the syringe into my pocket, the weight of it somehow heavier than the actual contents.

“Don’t be afraid to use it. Defend yourself any way you can,” she whispers.

“I will.” I walk her to the elevator.

---