Page 361 of Black Reign

“I can't.”

I pull the dress over my head with absolutely no concern for dignity.

Xavier is standing now too, dragging on trousers.

“What did you remember?”

“There was a star.”

“Where?”

“I don't know.”

“That was helpful.”

“I was seven.”

I start toward the cottage barefoot.

He catches up almost instantly.

“Shoes.”

“No.”

“Sabine.”

“You married a feral woman. Adjust.”

Despite everything, I hear him laugh behind me.

Then we run.

Papa's study is dark when I push through the door.

Xavier turns on one lamp.

The telescope stands in the corner.

Old brass.

Wooden tripod.

Exactly where I remember it.

I approach slowly now.

The rush inside me becomes something else.

Fear.

Hope.

Grief.

All tangled.

My fingers touch the barrel.