Chapter 55

PERRIN

Whatever type of friendship was blooming between Kira and Ben, I didn’t know. I always had the feeling that they didn’t quite like each other. But when Ben showed up without Kira a few minutes later, I followed after him to the bar.

“Coke please,” he said, leaning on the counter. He saw me, then stood up quickly and held his hands up as if in surrender. “Don’t worry. It’s just coke.”

I smiled dismissively, eyebrows furrowing. “I’m not here to babysit you. You can handle yourself.” He snorted in acknowledgement, raising his glass in my honor. “Are you feeling better?” I asked. I anticipated that his private moment with Kira had something to do with their shared… situation.

“Not really,” he replied sourly.

“Speaking of, where is Kira?” I looked around.

His face contorted into a sneer. “Damned if I know.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” I asked, stepping towards him. He didn’t back away, but it was as if something inside him snapped and he realized the tone he used with me.

“She…