Chapter 149

• August tucked the thin blanket more carefully around Alora’s small shoulders this time, as if the first time hadn’t been enough, as if the world might still find a way to reach her through the smallest gap. His fingers were rough — they always were — but right now they moved slowly, softly, like he was handling something fragile, something that could break if he wasn’t careful.
• He stood there for a few seconds longer than needed.
• Just watching her.