Talen

“That works in our favor.”

“How so?”

“As they already demonstrated, they aren’t going to kill you.”

“They also demonstrated that they will kill you,” I say. “They’ll also use you against me.”

Aerin shrugs.

“If you are trying to make me feel better about all of this, it’s not working.”

“You are the one who said we should hit the complex,” Aerin says, reminding me. “I would have advocated for it anyway, but you said it first.”

“That doesn’t mean I actually like the idea.”

“I thought you were a man on a mission.”

“I am.” I lean forward to quicken my pace. “If I find any sign of him, I’m going to kill my father.”

“Why the change of heart?”

“I thought a lot about what you said, and I think you were right. I think he did kill my mother. It all makes sense now.”

“I don’t know that for sure,” Aerin says quietly. “It’s just an educated guess.”

“A good guess.”

“How are you going to kill him?” she asks.

“I have a plan.”

“Talen, I know you’re angry, but I’m not sure you’re going to be able to stab your own father to death.”

“I’m not sure I could either,” I reply. “That’s not what I was thinking of.”

“Well?” Aerin presses when I don’t elaborate.

“Poison,” I say simply.

“Where are you going to get poison?”

“I already have it.” I pat the vials on my belt.

“What is that?” she asks.

“Sodium cyanide.”

“Why in the world do you have vials of sodium cyanide with you?”

“Just in case I needed it.”

“To kill someone?”

“No. Well, yeah, I guess. It was for me.”

“Talen!” Aerin grabs my arm and makes me stop. “Why would you even say that?”

I sigh and look at my feet for a moment, trying to find the right words.