She looks up at that, and reaches across the table to put her hand over his. "She's going to be fine. They both are. Clarel may be willing to sacrifice us but she's going to pull the line at hurting innocents."

At least Maker, Bethany hoped so. Or their leader had fallen farther than either one of them had realized.

She caught his winking smile, and one corner of her mouth dimpled up. "Yes, but that's usually because we were following someone into danger. This time, we're running away from it." She paused, then said with a touch of wryness, "And ... right into the larger fire. Forget I said anything, this is just like old times."