Page 136 of Rest In Knotty Pieces

They will come for us, Kestrel says.

They will never find us. We will be dead. How could she do this to us?I scream inside.

I let out a choked sob, and then I start running.

Jay stays present enough that I don’t feel alone but doesn’t speak, though I can feel him stewing.

“We’re going to be out here alone tonight. They won’t find us. We need to think about how to be safe,” Jay growls, forcing himself in beside me.

Have faith,Kestrel says calmly.

I sniffle, but I’m out of tears. I’m exhausted and thirsty. My stomach has given up growling, and my feet are sore.

“It’s almost sundown. We’ll be out here all night. What about bears?” Jay snaps. “Do we need to worry about being mauled by a bear?”

I can feel Raptor rise and give me the impression she’s ready to stab a bear, except I don’t think she’s capable of stabbing a bear.

We’re going to die.

I let out a keening sound.

“Looking for someone?”

I startle hard and turn in a slow circle, my heart racing. Hope making the world swim. Did I imagine it? Was it real?

Please, oh, please…

He steps out of the trees. He looks so beautiful, his white hair swept back, danger in every line of his body.

I’m safe. I’m home.

Sage. My Sage.

I rush to him, throwing myself into his arms. He lets out a whoosh of air and slowly embraces me back, holding me tighter when I start to cry.

I cling to him, digging my fingers in and holding him tighter, so tight he can’t get me off, though he doesn’t try for long. He strokes his long fingers down my hair and holds me while I sob into his chest.

“I’m going to guess you were taken against your will?” he asks softly. “It’s okay, Merle. It’s okay. You’re safe. I’ve got you.”

He lifts me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist and bury my face in his neck.

I nod my head.

“Raptor?”

I quickly shake my head.

“Raven, then?”

I nod, hurt that she would do that to us.

“Don’t worry. We’ll make sure she can’t do that again.”

I can sense Raven listening. Her dark, logical mind analyzing his words and their intent. Of all of us, Raven is the one who won’t be caged, not by someone who loves us, and not by an enemy. She was born to be free.

I don’t know what he intends to do, but for the first time, I find myself at odds with one of my alters. I hope Sage succeeds, and she can never do that again.

Sage shifts his weight, holding me closer, murmuring nonsense words.