Chapter 24. What We Show Them

June's POV

Maren sewed Ronan's shoulder back together at dawn with fishing line.

I held the work light.

"I warned you," she said, pulling the first stitch tight. "In front of witnesses."

"You did," Ronan said through his teeth.

"Twice."

"Three times, I think."

"Four." Maren tied off the knot with a vicious little jerk. "Hold the light closer, June. I want to see his face when I do the next one."

I held the light closer.

"You're enjoying this," he muttered, not to Maren.

"I never enjoy stitches," I said. Which wasn't entirely true this morning.

* * *

At noon, I went to the boundary cairn to keep my promise to Jory.

I didn't go alone. I asked Maren to come, and Brenna.

"Rhett was three days ago," Maren said on the drive. "I told you, not twice in one week."