Page 85 of Made

“What?”

“It’s a story.”

“I’m a good listener.”

He chuckled. “I know. You are.”

Keir proceeded to share the details with phenomenal recall. After hearing the recounting, I suspected for the first timethat he might remember everything I’d ever said.Ever. Egads!I was going to need to be a lot more careful about what I want logged in permanent memory.

“Come home. You do not have permission to go on another outing with your brothers. From the way you told this, any little variation could’ve resulted fromneverhearing from you, your brothers, or Esme again. I’d just spend the rest of my life wondering what happened because those bitches don’t sound like the type to hand-deliver a nice card and fruit basket with condolences.”

He chuckled lightly, but I could hear it didn’t have the usual ring of authenticity. He was worried. “Fortunately, I didn’t take a vow to obey you.”

“How is that fortunate? At the moment, it seems that only one of us is sane, and that would be me.”

“Do you want Esme back?”

“Of course. Let Kagan do it. He’s capable, Keir.”

“And I’m not?”

“You know perfectly well that’s not what I think and not what I meant.”

“You know perfectly well I can’t abandon my brother in the middle of… this.”

I wanted to yell, scream, and pull hair. Not mine. His. I loved his devotion and loyalty, and was well aware that I’m usually the principal beneficiary of those laudable characteristics. Still. I didn’t want him to walk into Hel voluntarily, which is exactly what he was going to do if he returned.

“Don’t go.” I pleaded. I felt guilty about making this hard on him, but the guilt wasn’t overpowering enough to stop me from begging.

“Rita.” He softened his tone to comfort me, but it didn’t comfort me. Instead, I saw a terrifying image of myself tryingand failing to carry on without him. “If it helps, I think the choice is out of my hands anyway. They’re going to pull me back at the end of the hour, whether I say stay or go.”

“Here’s some good news though.”

I ferociously swiped at tears on my cheeks. “What?”

“The third challenge was supposed to be decided by a panel of judges that overseer chose. But she slipped up. Guess who’s going to get to pick the judges?”

“Who?” I sat up straight.

“Esme.”

“What?!? That’s…”

“Perfect. Right?”

“Yes, but you have to survive the second challenge.”

“How could I not when I have you waiting for me?”

“Well…”

“Let’s just go with that. Power of positive thinking and all.” I sniffed. “She might choose you as one of the judges.”

“She’dbetterchoose me as one of the judges.”

“That’s my girl.” Keir looked around, suddenly realizing that he was experiencing a heavenly day. Bright sun. Blue sky. Just enough breeze to cause the river water to dazzle in the sunlight. “Talk to me about something ordinary.”

“Ordinary,” I said, wondering what in my life had been ordinary since the day I got off the plane and met Romeo. “Well, my display window horse turned out to be a gift for Rhiannon from Esme’s departed mother. She chose a strange means of delivery, but whatever works. And guess what? It turned out not to be a horse at all. He’s a unicorn! Intended to keep Rhiannon safe. Evie says having a pet that size takes some getting used to, but she’s expanded the rooms accordingly and is working on housetraining.”

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