ROSE'S POVAll my thoughts circle into some sort of insane melodrama right out of Selene's favorite TV show, and I slap my hands against my face, rubbing hard against my cheeks, as though I can push the tears right back into my eyes.

"Sorry," I say, as Akbar rests a worried hand against my back, stroking me like you would pet a puppy. It's cute. He doesn't seem to know what to do with me, while I'm just grateful that he's trying.

Once I'm sure my tears are gone, I smile up at him. "I'm just ...