CHAPTER ELEVEN
The next morning is hotter than any I remember this year. The desert sun scorches the earth as I follow Ryan away from the pack, his strides purposeful. Dust swirls around our feet, a dance of particles in the harsh light. We stop by his small house, nestled on the outskirts where the wild begins to reclaim man's touch.
"Inside," he says, and although it's not an order, his tone brooks no argument.
My heart thuds, each beat a mix of dread and curiosity. What could be so important that we need walls to contain it?
"Close the door," he commands once we're inside.
The click of the latch seems to seal my fate. Ryan turns to me, intense eyes locking onto mine. "I've been blind," he starts, his voice low, the familiar timbre sending shivers down my spine despite the heat.
"B
