The Companion Clause

cracked b

t o

something heavy had steppe

ng above a stone slick with moss and ash. Talo

st loud enough for him to

d, but the look she gav

to their left. T

shifted-

ee trunk, one of those twisted, glassy things that creaked like it

ctively to the curve of her waist. She felt him start to get hard

eath c

g eyes, she

belong to either of them. Something massive brushe

ear. She felt his breath against her neck, and she shi

"Carbon-skinned, heat-sensi

ien

er

ers had slid beneath her top with

ck in the earth. Ano

Steady. And laced with somet

red, "I just want it on record t

where you signed up

ally no

er mouth to

noise

ifted agai

been out th

she eased out of th

't say t

say you'