He shook his head. “Wes still hasn’t been able to get a lock on his phone. How is Faith?”

“Sleeping,” I replied, and took a step back. “Come on in, just be quiet. I don’t want to leave her, and who knows when she’ll get another chance to rest.”

He eased through the frame, glancing warily around the room to make sure we were still alone, that no one had climbed in the windows or from under the bed when my back was turned. When he was sure the shadows were empty, he relaxed and followed me to the sitting area, where the huge curtained window showed off the glittering Vegas cityscape. I peered through the crack at the glowing carpet of lights, and my insides churned with worry. Riley was somewhere down in that mess, dodging St. George, fighting his way back to us. Still alive, my dragon insisted. He had to be. I wouldn’t let myself think that he wasn’t.

“Where are you, Riley?” I whispered to the haze of neon lights. “Don’t you dare die on me.” A lump caught in my throat, and I clenched my fists. “Dammit, I hate this,” I growled, feeling my dragon raging inside. “I feel so helpless. I wish I knew what to do.” Garret watched me, silent and grave, and I slumped against the window. Las Vegas stretched out below me, dazzling and bright, but I couldn’t see the luminance anymore. Now all I could see was a war zone.

“People are dying, Garret,” I whispered. “Riley’s out there. Ava is out there. And I’m just…” Scared. Lost. Completely unprepared for what being a rogue actually means. I leaned my forehead against the cool glass, staring at the streets until they blurred and ran together. “I don’t know what I’m doing,” I admitted. “I thought I did, but I was wrong. I have no idea what to do now. I…” I don’t want to lose anyone else. Especially him.

Garret moved close, and then two strong arms enfolded me from behind, drawing me close. My pulse skipped, and my heartbeat sped up, echoing his own. I felt his quiet presence at my back as he leaned in, lips close to my ear.

“Riley’s a pro at survival,” Garret said in his soft, low voice, making my insides flutter. No reassurances, no empty promises, just simple facts. “He’s been doing this a long time, longer than either of us. I know St. George. I know how they work.” He paused then, his voice becoming just a little lighter. “I’m not too proud to say that he’s smarter than most everyone in the Order. If anyone can get through this, he can.”