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the dark witches to come to this circle, but I do want to learn to defend myself.”
    Bec runs a hand through her dark hair. Lana folds her arms across her chest and they both look to Finn. His answer is obvious. I see it in his body language. My show of humanness has worked.
    “You heard her, Finn. She’s not a fucking toy. Remember that while you’re teaching her.” Lana walks out of the house and the wooden door bounces behind her. I suck in a breath. I have not realized how much comfort her presence gives until she is gone.
    Bec turns to me, blocking Finn’s view, and whispers into my ear. “Remember what we said, Emma.” She pulls back and smiles widely. I smile back. As Bec exits she says, “Good luck, Finn.” The door slams and Finn and I are alone. He swallows audibly.
    “I’ll need it,” he whispers so low I am sure he did not want me to hear.
    He bites his lip.

Chapter Six
    January 11th, Late night
    “Try to keep up a little better,” Finn says. He has given me a large pack that contains foodstuffs and substantial weaponry. It is heavy and my body is unused to carrying such things. My body is unused to doing almost everything that is required for my survival in this new world. I try to bury the uneasy feelings about the unknown and the pit in my stomach that comes along with leaving Lana. She assured me that I could trust Finn, so I left with him—into the forest.
    “I am unaccustomed to being outdoors,” I tell him honestly. He laughs bitterly, but does not slow down. “I was restricted to my home for many years because of the creatures,” I say. Something in my confession makes him stop.
    “How long have you been confined to a house?” He asks, his eyebrows knitting together in confusion.
    “Most of my life.” I have to shout because he is so far ahead. I hope I do not disturb the savages. He turns around and glowers at me. I see comprehension dawn as he walks back.
    “No, it can’t be,” he says in a hushed whisper. “There is no way.” He stares at me for many moments and I feel myself heat under his appraisal. The fluttering sensations return to my belly. Definitely not hunger pangs , I think to myself.
    “What?” My voice is unfamiliar and shaky, though I am hopeful I do not look as flustered as all the other darklings do in Finn’s presence. He does not respond. The uncomfortable silence stretches on. Next, he does something unexpected. He grabs a lock of my hair that rests on my shoulder. He rubs it in between his fingers and looks at it with such fondness that I know for certain he causes me to blush. I clear my throat. Suddenly his face looks sad and wistful, as if he is sifting through a memory from long ago. He drops his hand as if startled by my existence and takes the backpack off my back. He throws it over one shoulder without explaining a thing.
    “Come on, then?” he prods. Even through the darkest haze I can see his brownish silver eyes and the weakness that resides there. The male darkling is fond of me.
    I smile. The corner of his mouth quirks up, he shuts his eyes, and shakes his head. I walk behind him, stepping in his large ashy footprints, knowing something has changed.
    “What are you going to do with me?” I ask out of curiosity after we reach a small campsite in nothingness. Finn laughs heartily. I like his laugh. The fear of the unknown erases a touch when I hear it.
    He answers while unpacking a bag. “What I want to do to you and what I’m going to do with you are two different things, darkling. You have to learn to defend yourself against the savages. They are your biggest threat. Assuming you aren’t caught by the dark witches, that is.” A shiver runs up my spine. Even Finn cannot protect me from them. He has just said as much.
    “I know they will come for me. Will they be kind like you and the darklings?” Finn gives me a look that cuts like a blade. In the blink of an eye he is looming over me, grabbing my wrist to drag me to a standing