Page 199 of Once Upon a Fable

“I am.

“But before you do, you thought you’d play maid instead of nurse?”

“Something like that.”

I waved my hand at the sparkling cupboards, neat crockery, and polished pots hanging from their rack above the sink. “At least you were considerate enough to leave a parting gift.”

Sighing, anxiety as well as temper tightened her voice. “I told you I needed to leave. I don’t think this—whatever this is between us—is healthy. I’ll send someone. I’ll tell them that you’re hurt and—”

“And doexactlywhat I told you was forbidden.”

Her forehead furrowed. “Things are different. You’rehurt—”

“Nothing is different.”

“But—”

“You’re not telling anyone.”

“You’re a pain in the ass, you know that?”

“So you’ve told me.” I fought the urge to roll my eyes, fully aware of how it affected my concussed skull. “Are you forgetting so soon why I chased you? Why I threw your car keys away? Why I’ve done everything in my, let’s face it, very limited power, to stop you from leaving?”

How had she stupidly forgotten my unbreakable rule?Tell no one.

“Of course, I haven’t forgotten.” Her pretty hazel eyes lit with ire. “You don’t want others to know you’re here. Even now. Even when you’re hurt. Even though you need treatment and I’m not qualified to help you. Even though you might die without care.”

“Correct.” I nodded once, firm and sharp. “I would rather you leave me to die alone than tell anyone else that I exist. That this place exists.”

She flinched. “That’s just idiocy, Kas.”

No, it’s necessity.

Until this morning, when I’d woken and drowned under memories I’d long since suppressed, I’d forgotten about the man and his white beard. I’d forgotten about his threats of exterminating me if he ever found out I survived or his gleeful assurances that there were other sex slaves, trafficked and currently serving in remote corners of the world.

Part of that memory filled me with fear, wondering if he’d return to check I was dead. Any day now, he might stroll through the cave and finish what he started. But most of me churned with revolting guilt.

There are others.

Others like me, like Quell, like Wes.

And I’d chosen to stay here instead of seek them out.

Stop it.

I curled my hands, focusing on Gemma instead of my stomach-turning thoughts. “I suggest you tread carefully.”

Her chin tipped up, the silver zippers on her backpack swinging in the moonlight. “Look, I’m not entering into another argument with you and I’m not running. I’m leaving for both our sakes. I know you don’t want anyone to know you’re here, and just an hour ago, I respected that. I packed and prepared to go with the intention of leaving you to your own devices as I know you’ll be happier that way—”

“Happier?” I snorted. “Oh sure, I’ll be ridiculously happy when I’m alone again.”

“You literallyjustsaid—”

“You ruined my loneliness, Gemma Ashford. You’re the one at fault, and you’re the one who destroyed my solitude. It turns out, I’ve had quite enough fucking solitude.” I swallowed hard, pinning her in place with my anger. “I’ve told you as much.”

“Fine,” she muttered. “Let’s stop going around in circles then. If you’re finally ready for company, then let me send someone to help you.”

“Christ, you’re not getting it.” My head pounded. “I don’t want company. I don’t want strangers. I wantyou.”