Silently, as was our habit, Nathan and I walked to the end of Old Grove Road where a lake was dug into the earth, holding mystery upon mystery beneath its glassy surface.

Wait!" I called. Too loud. All around me, the trees seemed to be listening, injured at hearing such a loud voice when they had been used to whispers and silence.

Despite what was happening, Victoria loved Alyssa.

Loved her enough to kill her.

From the moment I said it, I could feel the butterflies in my stomach. My Ryder instincts and my Ryder conscience needed to get it together. One refused to let me back down, while the other condemned my actions in not doing so.

There were many forms of betrayal. Betrayal of friends. Comrades. Even life.

The most stubborn of creatures often make the most decisive individuals. Keep your pride in your tenacity, my dear. This world would be a lesser place if women such as us did not have that.