Chapter 28. Let Her Look

Wren POV

"Close your eyes," Silas said.

Why?

"Because you're going to look at me the whole time if you don't, and that's not the point."

We were sitting on a fallen log at the edge of the woods behind the rink, where the path ended and the trees began. Late afternoon. The light was low and orange and the air smelled like cold earth and pine resin and the first dead leaves.

I closed my eyes.

"Now stop holding her down."

I opened one eye. I'm not holding anything.

"You are. You've been doing it so long you don't notice. Your shoulders are up by your ears. Your hands are fists." He was right. I made my hands open. "Just let her look around. Don't let her out. Just let her look."

It was like trying to unclench a muscle I didn't know I had.

I breathed. In for four, the way he'd taught me on the dock. Out for four.