#scarsdale

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August is pacing near the Hollow doors.

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In the Schwartz house - a muffled reply to the knock on her door. "Mama, I don't want anything."

"Zara, it's August." Softly; he knows she'll hear.

Was that a sniffle? And something inaudible.

He taps again. "Zara?"

Soft rustling and the door cracks open a moment later. Her face is puffy and her eyes are red, though she attempted to conceal that with her hair. "Told you not to come. Shouldn't have come. Did anyone see you?"

"I don't know. I don't care. Zara...." With caring and concern, he tries to reach through the crack to her. "Please?"

She releases her hold of the door - not opening it more, but not stopping him from doing so, either. She rubs at her eyes and turns her face away.

He steps in, leaving the door open.

"House is safe. Uncles made wards."

"Zara.... Has there been another attack?" His expression and tone grim.

"They made the wards after my birthday. Months ago."

"Zara...." Soft, careful, devastated.

"He hasn't..."

"A Samhain gift. But nothing since. I had a ward, but I lost it. Can be seen now."

He reaches for her, stops. "Here? I thought the Masters warded it?"

"Not here. House is safe."

"But Hollow, Firnost..."

"You hate being cooped up." He understands.

She nods. "Been too careless."

"Thought the charm made it safe, but it didn't."

He exhales, warm with anger. "Right. Ok. I've been remiss."

She fades back from the radiant anger. "Sorry."

"Sorry, sorry, sorry..."

"No. I am sorry. I have not been a good friend."

His face is set in stone.

"No. No, August..."

"No."

"No, I'm sorry..."

He takes a deep breath. "Paler, you said?"

"That is what he's called? And... it started at the Hollows. Ok."

She shrinks, spidery hands curling into fists.

"Don't."

"August, don't. Don't look for him."

August stands.

"I don't think I could get you."

"Not from him."

"I was.. I was lucky, Golnaz didn't know about the compass, didn't think I could find Earl..."

August shakes his head. "No, this is unacceptable. I will start at the Hollows. Zara.... stay safe."

"No!" her whisper cracks, rasping like torn paper.

He stops and looks, puzzled. "You won't stay safe?"

She hides her face behind her hands. "Please don't go."

"I don't... you want me to stay?" Confused, he steps closer. "I will, if you wish...."

"Go to your Fiona. Go... be safe. You shouldn't have come here. If she realizes we're friends, then she'll..."

"She's Balor too. Iron, August. She uses iron."

"She... what? She's not Balor, Coradel is -Fiona-....!!!"

"Golnaz."

"Oh..." A mental readjusting. "Well. Iron." Clearly an issue.