She grabs me, pulls me in before I can wriggle from her grasp. We share a strained embrace, and then she lets me go. “No one will ever understand you like I do. Not even your sister. We’re bound forever, Rory. Remember that.”

It’s one final look, and then I put her behind me.

“I’ll be waiting for that postcard.” I walk away, the ground crunching under my feet. “Drive safe.”

—

I want to run straight to Ian’s, but considering I’m barefoot, wearing nothing but a Playboy hoodie, I go back to Scarlett’s instead, sneaking through neighbors’ yards, hoping they don’t see me creeping and call the cops. Or animal control.

When I get inside, all the lights are off, the curtains drawn. I figure Lenny’s sleeping, so I tiptoe through the living room, careful not to make a sound.

“Rory?”

I jump.

Scarlett’s on the couch breastfeeding Lenny.

“You scared me,” I whisper. “Hi.”

“Where were you? What are you wearing?”

I sink to my knees and rest my head against the arm of the couch.

“It was a full moon last night,” I whisper. “I was with Ian.”

She gasps, then winces, looking down at Lenny.

“He knows,” I tell her. “He saw.”

“He saw?”

“Yeah. But, Scarlett, it worked.”

“It did? The wolfsbane?”

“Silver,” I say, lifting the cord to show her the medallion.

“Really? That’s . . . It’s . . .”

“It’s fucking magic,” I say. “Think I’m finally coming around on the supernatural.”

“Wait. What happened with Ian? Is he okay?”

“That’s what I need to find out. I’m going to change and go over to his place. I’d call him but I’m pretty sure I left my phone in his car.”

“What do you mean, need to find out? You don’t remember?”

I give her the short answer. “It’s complicated.”

“Rory.”

“You want anything while I’m out? Need anything? Food? Supplies? Someone’s house blown down?”

“Aurora. I’d go with you, but . . .”

“It’s okay, Scarlett. I’m fine. I’m tough, remember?” I peek at Lenny. “She needs you more than I do. But not by that wide a margin.”

“Good luck.”

I run upstairs and change into jeans and a sweater. I should probably shower but I don’t have time.

What if he got hurt last night? What if Mia did damage?

I play back the series of events. I was with him. I transformed. He saw me. Mia showed up. I remember everything, but it all happened so fast. And I keep coming back to that moment when he saw me transform. When he first saw me in my second skin.

He knows now.

He knows.

I get to his place, and he isn’t there. No car. Lights off. Door locked. I knock. No answer. I listen, press my ear to the door. I peer in the window. There’s nothing. I would be able to sense if he was in there. I’d be able to catch his scent.

The panic sets in.