Chapter 36

“Naerin, I’m not the Balance. I don’t even know if I want to be the Balance, to have all of those lives depending on me is scary and stressful and I’ve never been in charge of anything more than just myself. My track record says I don’t do that very well.”

“What was done to you was done to you.” Naerin shook his head and stifled the urge to reach out and take her hand. “You are still moving forward under pressures that would have stymied a lesser person. That is admirable.”

“You can be sweet when you want to be.” Siana reached out and laid a brief hand on his shoulder. “I’m still thinking about it, the whole Balance thing.”

Naerin nodded and they walked in silence the remainder of the way to the cafe and that was where they parted. Naerin waited outside until the lights came on in the belly of the shop and then he made himself walk away. He was halfway to his cabin when he was met by yet another familiar face.