229

MAXINE

A bit of the morning sun got into my room through the small window as I dressed. I hadn’t slept well. I’d tossed and turned, and I'd dreamt that something terrible had happened to Ella and I couldn't help her.

I repeated yesterday’s short reunion with Ella in my mind. She seemed fine, she was okay. Nothing was going to happen to her. Then, I replayed my conversation with Ronan.

I kept replaying everything in my head. What I had said and how he’d reacted. He had felt so desperate. But I didn't know for what reason. I’d never seen that side of him before. It left me feeling off balance.

I ran a comb through my hair as I sat by the desk. There was a knock on the door as it unlocked. "Who is it?" I called out.

“It’s me,” It was Ronan. There was a strange sound of excitement in his voice that I hadn’t heard before. I only heard it when he talked about his plans to destroy everything his brother built. What was he up to now?

"Well, come in," I said. He didn't. I stood to my feet an