Edward Haid was half blanketed in shadow. His dark hair and jacket mostly hid him, but his gold eyes glimmered from where he sat at a table in the corner.

I glanced the way Apple had disappeared, then back to the former Green Prince. Abandoning the fireplace, I headed to where he twirled a silver spoon in a mug that had lost its steam. I slowly lowered into the chair across.

He said nothing to elaborate, so I leaned back and folded my arms. “Why is Apple being weird? Where is everyone?”

Edward’s gaze met my eyes. “You’re the only ones who came back.”

“What are you talking about?” I looked over my shoulder, scanning the slat hallways. “Where’s my sister?”

“I don’t know. I don’t know where any of them are.” His gaze dropped back to his mug, watching the cocoa twirl.

I leaned forward. “What do you mean, any of them?”

“Gathadriel, Cane, Porethius, The Patrol. Everyone left, and no one came back. Except for you.”

My hand flashed out to stop Edward’s stirring and his stare lifted. “My sister isn’t back yet?!”

“I don’t know anything of her. I just know the Patrol left to search for you after you didn’t return, and they vanished like all the others.”

“They bloody what?” Zane’s voice lifted behind me.

The Green Prince shoved his mug away. “Trevor’s been turned to snow.”

The large clock at the end of the room released a metallic cry, eight beats long. No one spoke as it clanged.

I stood, palms flat on the table.

“I need to go to Green,” I whispered, and Edward’s gold eyes flashed.

I turned for the doors, but Zane caught me. “Wait, Helen, think this through! The Patrol aren’t here, Green is in danger, and I can’t see—”

“I can’t lose her too, Zane.” A rough whisper.

“Please, friend, don’t go.” Apple followed me toward the factory doors. “Helen!” she shouted, moving to block the way and flattening a hand against my shoulder. “Listen! I’m not a warrior like the fairies, or a guardian like the Patrols, but I’ve lost people too, so please, as your friend, I’m begging you, please don’t go.”

There was a pause. Apple’s big brown eyes pleaded.

“Thank you for being my friend, Apple.”

I pushed back out into the cold.

THE TENTH

THE TENTH

I could have gotten it together at home. I could have taken sleeping supplements and seen a therapist—it wouldn’t have been the first time. I could have been content with my weekday meets at the café with Emily. Why, why, why did I drag Kaley back here?