The future might be staring me in the face, I realize. The choice is yours—just say the word. “Can you stay? I mean, there’s only a couple of windows in the basement, and we can cover them to block the sunlight. Then, if Brotherhood dudes break in, you’ll be here.”

“And if they set fire to the house to flush you out, I’ll die down there,” he returns candidly. “Or we’ll both die down there, or we’ll both die trying to escape.” The sky is gray, verging on blue … our time almost up. “I don’t think being here is a risk either of us can afford to take. I’m sorry—I wish I could protect you, but … you said it yourself: The Knights aren’t going to waste any time.”

“Where am I supposed to go?” I ask the question reflexively, thinking of all the options I don’t have—all the places my enemies will obviously look first.

“You know, if your power has progressed to where it will work on humans, you might be able to set up your own hideout.” Gunnar traces the doorframe. “Viviane would break my neck for telling you this, but all you need is an empty apartment and a friendly landlord willing to hand over the keys just because you tell him to.”

I offer a mechanical nod—but inside, something falls out of place. With everything else that’s happened, it’s silly that being forced to abandon my own home is what makes me want to cry. “Thanks for the advice.”

Gunnar shrugs into his jacket and starts for the door, but then stops, turning back. Removing his necklace, he slips it over my head, pressing it to my sternum. He watches my lips, like he wants to kiss me but doesn’t know how, as he says, “Pack a bag, but don’t take too long. The farther you get before sunrise, the safer you’ll be.”

And then he leaves.

Pink is starting to show on the horizon as I slam my feet down on the pedals of my bike, speeding out of my neighborhood without any direction in mind. I won’t be going to school today, and no one will be calling me in—and only if I’m lucky will I live long enough to face the consequences. How far should I go? Where am I going to hide?