HAZEL
"Everything we planned depends on your absence." The words came out harsher than I meant them to. "Your presence would compromise the outcome. You know that."
She stared at me for a long moment. Conflict played across her features, concern warring with understanding.
"Delta." I softened my voice. "Trust me."
Her shoulders dropped. She nodded once, still uneasy but willing to yield.
"There's not much time left." I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. "You should just go ahead and enjoy the heat orgy outside. Don't draw attention or questions by staying inside when everyone else is participating."
She hesitated at the door, her hand on the knob.
"Be careful," she said quietly.
The words carried weight beyond their surface meaning. An acknowledgment of what she needed to believe was trust and risk, of everything riding on what happened next.
Then she was gone.
Alone at last, I let go completely.
