Cole looked up at Sienna, smiling gently, despite the sadness reflected in her eyes. “I’m not trying to hurt her, you know,” he said. “That’s the last thing I’d ever do to her.”

Sienna reached her hand forward and rested it lightly on his, squeezing for a moment before letting go. “I know.” She shrugged. “I don’t know her full story yet, but I know enough to know she’s definitely been through enough shit to last a lifetime. We all have. That doesn’t mean we just give up.” Her mouth thinned into a firm line. “Each of you is so lucky to have found each other. I can tell that already, too.”

Cole tilted his head toward the hall where Jace had gone. “I think you’ve got yourself someone who cares that much about you, too.”

She smiled. “I’m beginning to think you’re right. He wouldn’t let me get lost in my own grief, and I won’t let Payton, either.” She looked up, meeting Cole’s gaze. “I may be the new girl, but I know what she’s feeling right now. That the person you love most in the world is leaving, and you can’t do anything to stop it. At the time, I had no idea what my mom was hiding, but she was all I had. Now, I have all of you, and Jace.” Her expression turned serious. “I won’t let her lose herself while you’re gone, Cole, and I’ll keep her safe for when you come back. Because you are coming back.”

Cole raised his hand in a salute. “Yes, ma’am.” He looked down at Payton, caressing her cheek before touching his lips gently against her skin. No response. His shoulders dropped, for just a moment, before he steeled himself. Leaning forward, he kissed her lips before standing and picking up his duffle bag, throwing items inside. “Don’t let her stay lost, Sienna. I need her.”

Lainey had wandered off with the others, but the emotion in the room was still palpable. “You got it.” Cole stepped forward and wrapped her in a hug. Sienna was surprised, but for once she didn’t flinch. He squeezed her shoulders before stepping back. After one last look at Payton, still crouched on the floor, he left the room.

Sienna listened as car doors opened then shut, then the rumble of the engine as it turned over and the car pulled out of the drive. She stood at the door for a long time, even after she couldn’t hear the truck any more. Aaron was driving Cole halfway into town before he went the rest of the way on foot. The trip wouldn’t take long. Aaron would be back soon, and everyone else would likely only grab a couple of hours sleep before returning back to the room. She didn’t have much time.

She knelt down so she could make eye contact with Payton, but she just stared through her. Payton didn’t even seem to realize Sienna was there. It reminded her of the waiting room in the hospital, when she’d been trapped inside her vision. It didn’t take a genius to know that Payton had been through some serious shit. She was the only one who’d actually been captured by the maniac hunting them. Keila had gotten her out in the end, but she’d been trapped there for weeks, drugged out of her mind and subjected to God knows what. Did Payton even remember it fully? It was no wonder she’d become lost at even the thought of losing the person who’d pulled her out of all that the first time.

From what Lainey had said, Payton and Cole were physically connected from what they’d been through together. Did that mean she physically felt the loss now that he’d left? Sienna’s memories had been visceral, tearing at her psyche. Maybe that was what was happening to Payton, too. She moved to sit directly across from Payton, took her hands in her own and closed her eyes. She imagined them sitting just as they were, holding hands, but this time with Payton awake and looking back at her. She felt a little shimmer, but nothing happened.

Sienna frowned. Where was the burst she’d felt before? Maybe it was powered by strong emotion? She reached inward, searching for the vortex of power. It had exploded out of her, pushing forward as if she had no control. If she went looking for it this time, maybe it could be tamed. She imagined her hands diving in, pulling on the strings of floating energy, but it slipped through her fingers like water. A rush of frustration surrounded her. How was she ever going to help Payton if she couldn’t control her own power? She looked deeper—there—a light blue string. It didn’t look familiar, but she could follow it. Sienna moved toward it. The closer she got, the more resistance she felt, almost like a shell around her, preventing her from moving forward. She pushed anyway, forcing her legs forward, and then beating at the black walls with her fists. Just when she thought her energy was depleted, the invisible wall fell and the string snapped back into its owner standing on the other side. Payton.

Sienna’s eyes flew open. This time, they were gazing into Payton’s—strong and clear.

“Fuck. Are you alright?”

Payton’s gaze hardened. “For now.”

“He’ll be okay,” Sienna said.

Payton blew out a breath, wrapping her hands around her middle. “I don’t remember much of that time, you know. Everyone thinks I do, but that’s not the part that scares me.”

“What do you remember?”

“I remember the face of the man who took me. Then Keila.”

“But she was there to save you, right?”

Payton grimaced. “She was. But I didn’t know that at the time. I freaked out. I still feel that rush when I think about it. Cole does, too.” She dropped her eyes. “He used to be a cop, you know. He was held against his will for a lot longer than I was. I’m worried he’ll get stuck there again, in his mind.” She looked up, meeting Sienna’s gaze. “You ever hear of ghosts getting trapped in the place they died, reliving the moment over and over again? It’s like that. You never leave there, not really. It becomes an echo, imprinting itself on everything. If he finds himself in that position again, I don’t know what’s going to happen.”

Sienna shuffled to sit next to Payton, nudging her with her shoulder. “You know, I think he’ll be fine. He’s strong, Payton, and this time he’s got you. He’s got all of us.”

Payton glanced over, a small smile on her face. “Damn right, he does.” She looped her arm through Sienna’s, resting her head on Sienna’s shoulder. “Besides, the man’s as stubborn as I am. There was no stopping him. I just needed some time to get used to the idea.” She tapped the side of her head. “He’s still here.” She rolled her eyes. “And telling me off for not kissing him goodbye.”

Sienna laughed. “Hi, Cole.”

Payton smiled and hauled herself to her feet. “He’s walking, nearly into town. Telling me to stop sulking and get to work on your power.” She reached down, taking Sienna’s hand and pulling her up. “Come on. If we’re going to beat an army, we better figure out what the hell you can do.”