Chapter 5

The treatment center had one on-call room, and Mara had already claimed it for me by the time I arrived. She looked at my overnight bag but did not ask whether Kellan was coming after me. That kindness almost hurt more than a question would have.

"The sheets are clean," she said. "The shower takes a minute to warm up, and the lock sticks."

"I won't be here long."

The words came out before I could stop them.

Mara glanced toward the dark courtyard behind me. "All right."

I lay awake listening for footsteps. The treatment center stood less than…