Page 75 of Tempest’s Torment

"He did."

"He left them there because he knew I'd come." Her eyes meet mine. "He wanted me to see them."

I nod. "Yeah."

She wraps her arms around herself. "That's when Omen moved me. I couldn't stay there after that."

“I remember.”

She lets out a slow breath. "It wasn't just that he'd found me. It was..." She searches for the words. "He took the only place that still felt like it belonged to Lucy and me."

"He doesn't get to take that."

Her eyes lift to mine. "He already tried."

"No." I take her hand. "He left flowers." I tighten my grip just enough for her to feel it. "He doesn't get to rewrite your memories of your sister."

A tear escapes before she can stop it. "I still remember her laughing."

"Then that's what matters."

She nods slowly. "Yeah. I'd forgotten about the lilies,” she says and I look at her. "Until you said the word."

I close the distance between us before I think about it. "Lilah." She doesn't look up, so I slide a finger beneath her chin, just enough to lift her gaze to mine. "Look at me." Her eyes meet mine. "Where are you?"

She blinks. "What?"

"Where are you?"

She takes a breath. "My apartment."

"Good." I nod reassuringly. "Who's here?"

"You."

"And in about two minutes?"

A small crease forms between her brows as she thinks. "Sniper."

"And?"

"Natalia and Jinx."

I nod again. "Yeah."

Another breath leaves her and the tightness in her shoulders eases, only a little but enough that I notice.

"I'm sorry," she whispers.

I frown. "For what?"

"I just..." She shakes her head. "I don't know."

"Then stop apologizing."

A quiet laugh escapes her. "I do that a lot, don't I?"

"Yeah."