It would have been kinder to just plunge a dagger deep inside of her and twist it around then to hear any of that. She did not want her destiny to be someone's pawn or plaything anymore. She did not want to be manipulated. And she did not want to hurt Ryan anymore, either. he was right, if she loved him as much as she said she did... Alistaire would not have been allowed to stay over. What was she thinking? It's obvious she wasn't.


"I'm sorry I was such a burden." Her voice was flat, emotionless. "You should see Mrs. Ramsey about your nightmares. I'd go wit' you... but de chances o' me bein' allowed on de grounds again are slim. Please be careful goin' back to de city. Traffic is terrible dis time o' night."


Her eyes were watery, but she refused to let tears fall from them. Instead her shoulders slumped and she started to head back inside of her house. She could not bare to tell Ryan good-bye. Mostly because it could be forever. She did not want that, mostly because she could not face it.

Instead of shutting the door behind her, Alisa left it open and just headed up the spiral staircase and to the room across from the master bedroom. She did not acknowledge Alistaire when she walked inside. Instead, she shut the door behind her and locked it.

So this is what heartbreak felt like?