My mind knew Ender was close, and because of that… I was safe.
“Oh, Clove!”
Adley’s voice cut through my thoughts as she breezed into the room without knocking, like she always had since we were kids.
“Are you coming out of your room today?”she asked, hands on her hips.
I rolled my eyes and held my arms out dramatically.“I think I’m officially fully rested.What craziness is happening in the common room?”
She clapped her hands together, grinning.“Nothing yet, but the day is still young.”
Before I could protest, she grabbed my hand and tugged me off the bed.“Come hang out with us.”
I hadn’t realized how much I needed to hear that.
It was nice being pulled instead of pushed.Nice to feel wanted instead of watched.
The hallway felt brighter than it had yesterday.Less like a tunnel, more like a place I belonged.As we stepped into the common room, I saw all the girls scattered around on couches, at the pool table, and near the kitchen.
They were all here because theyhadto be.
We weren’t locked down exactly, but after what happened to me, the rules had tightened.Every woman needed a club member with her at all times.Especially now.
I understood it, still didn’t love it, though.
“Clove!”Mom called from the kitchen.“Come help me.”
Adley smiled and squeezed my hand before letting go.“Duty calls.”
She headed for the pool table, where Alice and Nikki were mid-game, trash-talking like it was a competitive sport.
I drifted toward the kitchen.
The smell hit me before I even crossed the threshold.
Warm.Sweet.Familiar.
“Are you making gingersnaps?”I asked, already knowing the answer.
Mom smiled over her shoulder, flour dusting her hands.“Everyone likes them.”
I snorted.“You make them becauseyoulike them.”
She didn’t deny it.
I grabbed a spoon and moved to the big bowl of dough, scooping and rolling like muscle memory took over.We’d done this a hundred times.A thousand.
“How did you sleep?”she asked casually.
“Good,” I said.
She paused.Just slightly.“Did you actually sleep?You slept most of the day yesterday.”
“Surprisingly, yeah.”
She hummed, sliding a tray toward the oven.“And Ender—”
I glanced at her.“He slept on the couch, Mom.”