Page 3 of Monster Queen Rising

"Jen, it doesn't own you."

His eyes stay on mine another second, making sure the shaking is really easing and not just buried deeper.

Then he gives one small nod.

"All right."

The words land like a decision he's making for both of us.

"Listen to me."

I do.

"Camille is mine."

Just that.

"Getting us in is mine. Getting us out is mine."

Something in my chest loosens before I can stop it.

"You don't carry this one."

I blink.

"Your job is to stay with us. Let us do ours."

My throat tightens.

"Let us have you."

It's not permission he's asking for.

It's the burden he's asking me to hand over.

Something inside me finally gives.

The shaking eases, just enough to notice. For the first time since Madison's name came out of Vance's mouth, I don't feel like I'm holding the entire world together with my bare hands.

I trust him.

I trust all of them.

For a minute, I let them carry me.

"Okay," I whisper.

Thaw grunts, turns back toward the windshield, and settles his earpiece into place.

Harek presses another bottle of water into my hand. I drink without sitting up.

Across the cab, Fen's fingers tighten around mine.

That's all. Just the grip, once, hard, then steady. The thread goes warm where it's been loud all night.

I squeeze back.

Chapter two