Instead of the uncertainty and disgust I’d expected, his gaze softened with understanding—and respect. It was the first time he’d looked at me like that in weeks. It was the first time he’d looked at me without pain in his eyes since Salina’s death.

“But you’re not going alone,” he continued. “I’m coming with you.”

“But you’re hurt. Your arm—”

He shook his head. “Doesn’t matter right now. You do. You said that Clementine would have Opal and Dixon for backup. Well, you need somebody too. You don’t know what tricks the giants might pull. Bria and Xavier can handle things in the rotunda. They’re both better shots than I am. Besides, I have my own score to settle with Clementine and Dixon. I know you understand that.”

He smiled at me, and I found myself grinning back. Once again, a tiny bit of hope sparked to life in the cold, black ashes of my heart, hope that maybe Owen and I could get through this after all. That we could eventually move past this, together.

I embraced that hope for a moment, grabbed onto it with both hands, and held it close like the rare treasure it was. Then I let go of it, let it float away like a butterfly on a bright day, because the darkest part of the night was yet to come, and there was no place for it here.

Chapter 21

21

Bria, Xavier, Owen, and I left the gardens and went back to the museum. We didn’t see or hear anyone as we scurried from the edge of the flowerbeds over to the side entrance I’d used before. I gestured for the others to stay hidden behind the bushes, while I sidled up to the door and peered through the cracked glass.

Once again, the hallway was dark and empty. I hadn’t heard Clementine issue any more orders over the radio, but I was sure she’d told all of her remaining giants to either hightail it back to the rotunda or go outside and guard the trucks. Only one way to find out. The giants had busted the lock in their haste to chase after Owen and me, so I didn’t have to use my stolen key card to open the door this time.

I winced as a bit of glass fell out of one of the doorframes and plinked against the stone, but the noise didn’t keep me from ducking inside. I stood by the entrance, a knife in hand, looking and listening, but I didn’t see or hear any guards. I turned and waved for the others to come on in.