Adam saw Alec standing a safe distance off as he neared the gate, and he eyed him for a few moments but didn't slow his pace. All Alec's talk and nonsense about this being Adam's place, but he wasn't allowed to bring a guest or offer sanctuary, and he'd meant the guest to please Alec.

He went through without a word, glad when Gansey was there to meet him, full of questions. He answered what he could, mostly sad and introverted as they drove back to town.

The temple and the ley line seemed determined to have Adam there, no matter what Alec and Adam felt about it, so Adam accepted the time as fair trade, and went again the next day.

"I want somewhere I can sleep," he told the temple as he stepped through the door. Not bothering to wait for Alec this time, he headed immediately down a corridor, finding an open door waiting for him with a sumptuous bedroom within. Adam kicked off his shoes and his jeans, crawling into the bed in just t-shirt and boxers, and passed out within seconds.

This time he slept for fourteen hours, waking heavy with sleep and still deeply groggy. Several of the cats slept on the bed with him, cuddled up against him and keeping him warm. That earned a smile, and Adam gently scratched Persephone's ears before starting to carefully extricate himself.