She mutters something, sitting up and looking at him. "Why would I want to think like any of you?! You're selfish and cruel." She snaps, her eyes showing her pain.

Ash rose with blinding speed and gripped her upper arms. Even wounded and bleeding, he was much stronger than her.

"Im not selfish or cruel," he murmured against her ear. "I just want you to understand. The Winter Court preys on the weak. Its their nature. They will try to tear you apart, physically and emotionally, and I wont always be there to protect you."

Lin yawns softly.

She chuckles, "Who said I ever needed you to protect me? I think I proved myself back in that castle that I can take care of myself." She snaps back.

The outline of their house grew larger as they approached. It looked familiar and strange all at once. They could see Lukes beat-up truck in the driveway, and Moms floral curtains waving in the windows. Lin's bedroom was dark and still, but a night-light shone out of Ethans room, flickering orange. Think about what slept up there. A single light shone in the bottom window.

Lin yawns again.

Ash sighed, and his forehead touched the back of her hair, his breath fanning her neck. "That was different. I dont want to do this," he admitted in a low, anguished voice. "I dont want to see what theyll try to do to you. A Summer fey in the Winter Court doesnt stand much of a chance. But I vowed that I would bring you back, and Im bound to that promise." He raised his head, squeezing her shoulders in an almost painful grip as his voice dropped a few octaves, turning grim and cold. "So you have to be stronger than they are. You cant let down your guard, no matter what. They will lead you on, with games and pretty words, and they will take pleasure in your misery. Dont let them get to you. And dont trust anyone." He paused, and his voice went even lower. "Not even me."

She simply looks at him, her face blank. "Is this why you're distancing yourself?" She whispers, her voice full of breathtaking pain.

(Gonna get slightly controlling...)

Mom was asleep on the couch when Lin opened the door. The television was on, and she held a box of tissues in her lap, one twisted up in her fingers. She stirred when Lin shut the door behind her, but before she could say anything, Ethan wailed, "Mommy!" and flung himself into her lap.


"What?" Mom jerked awake, startled by the shaking child in her arms. "Ethan? What are you doing downstairs? Did you have a nightmare?"


She glanced up at me then, and her face went pale. She rose, still holding on to Ethan.

She turns to face what her mom is looking at.