"Mara? Are you there?" Kai's deep voice bellows on the other end of the phone when I don't say anything.
Leo's watching me intently, waiting for me to do what I promised, but it's a lot harder than I thought it would be.
"I'm here," I say quietly.
"Where are you? Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I'm with Rue," I lie.
"Yeah, how is she?" he asks.
"A little better now."
"Good. So when will you be home?" he asks.
"Kai, I..." My heart is beating furiously. I can barely breathe, let alone speak. "I..."
Leo's face falls at my hesitation. He looks down, staring blankly at the floor.
I squeeze my eyes shut and take a deep breath. I have to do this. "I can't be with you anymore."
Leo looks back up at me with a small smile on his face, but his eyes are still so unsure.
"I'm sorry, what di
