Lucan turns to Heidi, and for the first time, there's calm in his eyes. "I'd rather be a rogue than spend one more night in this house."
Mrs. Castell slams her hands on the table. "You won't last a day out there! You're not built for the wild! You'll come crawling back the moment the vampires tear through your skin!"
Lucan stares her down, completely still. "Then let them try."
He turns and starts walking toward the door. Eli hesitates, then follows him.
"Lucan!" Heidi runs after him, grabbing his sleeve. "Please, just think. Don't let them win by breaking you like this."
He stops. Looks at her and his eyes soften again. "If you ever need me, Heidi—if things get bad, and you want to leave too, tell me. I'll come for you. That's the only thing I can offer you right now. I'm sorry. I mean it, truly, more than anything else, please remember that."
He lets go of her hand. And just like that, he's gone.
