"It's not safe.People don't always make it through.I can't..."His voice deepened."I can't lose you again."
She spread her hands on his chest."Finn, we can leave together."
The lines at the corners of his eyes lengthened."You don't know that."
"I do.I've walked here three times."
He shook his head."You don't understand what this place does to a person.What it takes from each of us.What it—"
She silenced him with a soft kiss."I'm here," she whispered."If you want to stay, I'll stay.But Everstill isn't going to take anything from me, especially not you."
He rested his forehead against hers and exhaled softly.She wrapped her arms around him, holding him close.He was afraid of the unknown.She'd traveled back and forth.Nothing would happen to them.
Chapter 21
Kallie
––––––––
Half an hour afterdaylight hit Everstill, Finn paced the kitchen.Kallie cleaned the mug she'd used for coffee and faced him.
From the moment they woke on the couch, where they'd fallen asleep holding each other, he'd grown increasingly agitated.The whole night had felt like a dream.In his arms, she'd relaxed and slept the sleep of the dead.It was as if her brain finally accepted that she'd completed everything she'd set out to do, allowing her body to relax.
Finn hadn't moved away from her during the night, and she woke in his arms with an imprint of his shirt on her cheek.
"Go ahead and do what you usually do."She stepped up to him and kissed him softly."It's okay.I know we need to figure out how we're going to handle everything, but I didn't come here to monopolize all your time.I know you have a job."
He grunted, kissing her back.
She pulled back."I'll need to find somewhere to live."
"No."
"I never planned to mooch off you."She laughed softly."I'll get a job and rent one of the houses—"
"Fuck no."His hands tightened on her as he whispered, "I'm not going to let Everstill change you.You'll live here where I can protect you."
