Rowan
I told myself over and over again that keeping a great distance between Soren and me was the smartest thing to do. But no matter how many times I repeated the mantra, it didn't change the truth, I cared about him. I cared too much and that's why I was hurt when he said what he said.
The way my heart nearly burst with rage when that bullet struck him, the way I'd wanted to tear the shooter apart, that right there was proof enough. I'd barely managed to keep my fury contained. And then, when Soren had apologized, I almost gave in. He was standing there giving me those side eyes, it almost worked.
Almost. But my pride, my damn stubborn streak, had won. I refused to let myself fall down the same rabbit hole that my father fell in.
By the time the first light of dawn broke through the windows, I was standing stiffly in Soren's office, arms crossed as he handed out instructions. He had summoned us because he needed a job done early.