“Holy crap,” Ryan murmured as he stopped the car, and I laid a hand on his sleeve.

“Let me go by myself, okay?” I wasn’t sure why, but this seemed like something that should be between me and Alexander.

I thought both Bee and Ryan would argue that, but neither said a word, and I opened the car door, stepping out on shaking legs.

I took a few steps forward, my high heels crunching on stones and broken glass. My dress snagged on a tall weed, but I kept walking. Overhead, there was no moon, but the sky was full of stars.

And smoke. Not much of it—we were still a few miles outside of town—but I could see the bright glow in the distance and took in a deep breath at the thought of Magnolia House burning.

At the knowledge that my parents were probably frantic and looking for me.

Alexander only lifted his head when I was a foot or so away, and when he did, his face looked... broken. His eyes were bloodshot, circled in lines, and when he smiled at me, it was one of the scariest expressions I’d ever seen.

“Is this what you wanted, then?” he asked, his voice hoarse. My chest was still aching, telling me that wherever David was, he was in danger, so I shook my head. I had never wanted David to belong the Ephors, but I hadn’t wanted him to leave, either. Especially not like this. If he had known...

Maybe this was what he’d seen that night at the golf course? Our town burning, me standing in a deserted field with Alexander? It was difficult to speculate about what David had known or not known.

“I didn’t have anything to do with this, believe it or not,” I told him, coming to stand in front of him. “This was David’s doing. He... he didn’t want to go with you, but he knew he couldn’t stay here.” The words stuck in my throat. I hated them. Hated that as I said them, I knew David had done the right thing. Or at least the best thing he could think of.

Not that I thought this would last very long, of course.

Staring down at Alexander, I said, “I’m guessing you’ll report back to the rest of the Ephors and drag him back.”

“There are no more Ephors,” Alexander said, his voice dull. “Only me.”

I’d never thought surprise could actually knock you on your butt, but I swear I rocked back on my heels. “What?”

Still looking at the ground, his tie wrapped around his hand, Alexander gave an entirely humorless huff of laughter.

“It’s flattering to know I fooled you, Harper Price, it truly is.” He looked up at me, his green eyes sharp despite the obvious devastation there. “What a Paladin you would have made.”