The funny thing is, I hated your guts for a long time, she said at last, her tone matter-of-fact. Bash and Dakota exchanged a surreptitious glance as she continued. I held you directly responsible for bringing those dreadful people down upon us. They murdered everyone I knew there, and I had to stand and watch them all die. And then . . . Stiles paused and drew a heavy breath. But every time I ran things through my head, trying to find a different way of doing things, a way that wouldnt have ended up with so many innocent people dying, I realized I couldnt have done things any differently. I could never have forced you back out after we found you, or abandoned you in the middle of nowhere, not with one of you pregnant and the other operating like a walking corpse. No matter what, I was always going to do things just as I wound up doing them. And that means that what happened was always going to happen.

Dakota leaned towards her. Martha

It took a long time, Stiles interrupted her, but one day I was able to think clearly, and I saw I was wrong to hold you responsible. You were victims just as much as we were. What Gabrielle told me made that clear, however outrageous her story seemed. She cast a bitter look at Dakota. But I cant tell you how much I regret not just letting you take that damn truck the first time you asked for it.

Choosing her next words carefully, Dakota asked, What brought you here, to Jar? Do you come from here originally?

She shook her head. No, somewhere a lot less colourful. But I had a powerful need to get as far from Redstone as I physically could, and you cant get much further than here.

Evie pulled herself onto Stiless lap, making cooing noises. Maybe I should have mentioned this first, Martha, said Dakota, but Im not here to take Evie away. I just wanted the chance to see her before I head off.

She didnt need to look at Bash to detect his expression. His disapproval was entirely palpable.

Stiles visibly relaxed. Then, can you tell me what happened to her? she asked, looking between the pair of them. Gabrielle, I mean. After those people kidnapped her, I thought maybe . . . Her voice trailed off.

She died, said Dakota. Im sorry.

Stiless face crumpled a little, and she bowed her head. God damn it, she breathed. And those men? The ones who took her?

Dead, too, said Dakota. They got what they deserved.

Stiles nodded tightly. Good. Im glad to hear that.

Dakota noticed Evie staring at her. She waggled her fingers at the little girl, who smiled uncertainly, glancing up at Stiles for reassurance.

May I? asked Dakota.