And I’ll try to find a way to save Paige. I don’t voice that out loud, though. If Paige and Lee survive more than six months, the remnants will know they worked out the problem with the serum. Caelar might decide to re-create it and use it. That could cause a problem for Lena’s new Court. That’s something I have to risk, though, because for me, Paige’s life comes first.

Lena walks to a desk that’s set against the back wall. A phone is there, a spiral-bound book with things to do, and a pad of paper and pen with the hotel’s name on it.

“You’ll help us if I need you?” she asks.

“Naito is your shadow-reader,” I tell her. “You shouldn’t need me.”

A small lamp is mounted to the wall beside the desk. She taps it with her finger, watches the blue lightning spread across her hand, then taps it again.

She drops her hand to her side. “Aren is doing the right thing. The pull of a life-bond is intimate. It would be wrong for him to be with you now, before you understand how deeply it will affect you. You might not want Aren a month from now.”

My jaw aches. I realize I’m clenching it, force it to relax. Lena and Aren both talk like they know how it feels. Neither of them has been bonded to another fae. They’re repeating rumors and making speculations. They have no idea what it’s like to have two sets of emotions twisting inside them. Kyol’s feelings aren’t as potent now that we’re in separate worlds, but they’re there. I know when he’s alone and hurting, when he’s numbing his thoughts by sparring with another fae. I know when he’s thinking about me.

He’s thinking about me now.

Warmth spreads through my chest. It’s some kind of desire.

“What about the garistyn?” I ask Lena. I try to make the question sound casual, like an afterthought. The truth is, if I know there’s a chance something will happen to Kyol, I’ll return to the Realm without question.

“The high nobles should be appeased until a false-blood is found and killed.”

“You think Lorn is innocent?” I ask.

“We’ve been…acquaintances for a long time,” she says, her gaze turning inward. “I don’t want it to be him.”

I understand that all too well. Maybe I’m wrong about a third-party manipulator. If so, the war should be over soon. Caelar is already losing supporters. One of them will betray him to the rebels soon.

Lena returns to the present, shaking off whatever thoughts she let herself get lost in, then asks, “If you leave here, will you leave a message for Naito? I’d like to know you’re okay.”

She’d like to know where I am in case she needs me.

“Yeah,” I say. “I can do that.”

She gives me a small smile. “Thank you, McKenzie, for helping us. I know it wasn’t easy to turn against the fae you worked with for so long.”

She doesn’t wait for my response to that. She leaves this world in a flash of white light. The shadows dance in my vision when she’s gone, making my fingers itch to draw them. But I’ve officially retired. I’m beginning a new life now, the life I should have had all along. Without the fae calling on me, I might actually be able to get a job and finish my degree.

My gaze goes to the pad and pen on the desk. A few quick lines, a curve of shadow here and there, and I could relieve the need I feel to map her location.

I draw in a breath, let it out, resisting the temptation. I’m going to try my best to forget the Realm.

The suite has a minifridge in its small kitchenette. Inside are an assortment of cold snacks and drinks. I’m sure it costs an arm and a leg to touch anything in it, but I grab a Diet Coke and pop the top. Can’t remember the last time I had one of these.

The fridge squeaks when I kick it shut. Sipping the Coke, I head back to the living area. My gaze sweeps the hotel, not knowing what’s next. What would a normal person do now?

Shower. Order room service. Maybe go down to one of the casinos…

A squeak interrupts my thoughts. The same squeak I heard before, but it’s not from the fridge; it’s from the couch.

I’m behind it, so I walk around to the front, knowing what I’m going to find curled up on one of its cushions.

Sosch. Obviously, he’s not going to let me forget the Realm completely.

“You’re going to get me banned from this hotel,” I tell him.

His big blue eyes blink up at me innocently.

I scoop him into my lap after I plop down beside him. His fur flushes silver. I scratch behind his ears until he purrs. And then, for the first time in ages, I pick up the remote and click on the TV.