The announcement left her cold. Horror that Thorne was gone mixed with elation that Rowan, so far, was still alive and fighting. Conflicting emotions that bubbled up in a slightly hysterical laugh, barely caught before it escaped. She turned to Daniel, not sure what to say, but he wasn't there, already on his way to the door.

Oh hell this isn't good.

She moved to touch Noel's shoulder, whispering that she knew she wouldn't be allowed back to see Rowan, but to call her the very instant he knew how Rowan was. She gave Noel a quick awkward hug, uncertain and stiff, then said quietly, "I need to go after Daniel."

She knew Rowan would understand.

She hoped Rowan would understand.

She needed to do something where she was needed and where she could do something more than pace and worry. And Daniel needed someone, and she was pretty sure what the right thing to do was.

So she raced after her best friend, catching up with him just as he stepped into the elevator to the parking garage. She reached for his hand, leaning slightly into his shoulder, and didn't say a word out loud.