Page 101 of Burned

Isobel stares at me, years of sadness curving her shoulders inward.

I only have one question. “Why did he want revenge on me before he even knew me? And then, why wait till the fire to take it?”

“A friend of Marina’s was an accountant for the Bachmans for over thirty years.”

Stash is a man named for his meticulously cared-for handlebar mustache.

“Of course she’s going to give us the long version,” Blaze murmurs impatiently.

“Let her speak,” I say, hardly able to breathe.

Blaze doesn’t back down. “It’s not a theater camp, Lucian. Tell her to spit it out.”

Rafe diffuses, “Can you shorten the story, Isobel?”

She looks at Rafe. He’s the only one of us she seems to trust since her arrival. “I don’t know any other way to tell it.”

Blaze’s voice is just below a roar. “What are we going to do next? Get on our knees and beg her?”

Bayne stares at Blaze.

“You all have some damn short memories.” Blaze stands, tossing the blade onto the tabletop. It spins twice before coming to rest.

We know what is coming.

Blaze is the easy-going one.

Until he’s not.

You can push him and push him.

When he’s been pushed too far, we listen. Then we give him space and let him cool off.

“I couldn’t even speak the first time I set foot in the Village.” His voice tightens.

“It was so beautiful. Home. Heaven. I couldn’t find words to do it justice.”

Right now, the air is charged. No one speaks.

“I came from a run-down, forgotten corner of the city. The place the government put kids like me so they could forget we existed. You don’t know what it’s like to go from that to the Village. Then lose it all.” He points a threatening finger at Isobel. “And she was helping the man who blew it all up. And we’re supposed just to sit here and play hostess to her.”

Isobel pales. I feel emotions I can’t process. If Erin were here, she would name them with one glance.

Bayne moves in. Slightly. Enough to shield Isobel if necessary.

I don’t. I’ve known Blaze much longer than our Scotsman. Blaze would never touch a woman. Not like that.

“She’s our enemy.” Blaze slaps the top of the table with a heavy palm. The sound makes Isobel startle. “And she should be treated as such. This should be a real interrogation.”

Rafe says. “Let her finish.”

“I can’t listen to this.” Blaze shakes his head, avoiding my gaze on his way out. He calls over his shoulder, “Rafe can fill me in later.”

The door slams so hard that the walls shake.

And now Isobel is shaking. I feel a pull towards her I don’t want to feel. And I know Blaze is right. This should be an interrogation.

I want Erin beside me. I don’t want Erin anywhere near this.