Total pages in book: 95
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 90630 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 453(@200wpm)___ 363(@250wpm)___ 302(@300wpm)
“We should do this more often,” she says when we’re wrapping up.
“We should,” I agree. “Things are a little crazy right now after what happened the other night.”
Her face grows somber. “People are the worst.”
“They are.” I stir my iced tea with my straw, not talking as I get a good feel for her. She’s scared about what happened, and curious if we know who leaked the location. “The VC is really good about making bad things work for them, at least.”
“Hah, for real. Xavier was made out to be a hero.”
“He was, like seriously. He risked himself to diffuse that Sunburst. He could have gotten really hurt or…or…worse.”
“Awww, I see that look in your eyes. You guys are really cute together. And please tell me it was the Eras Tour.”
I laugh, almost forgetting that I told her we met at a Taylor Swift concert. “If that’s what you want to believe, sure. We even wore matching sparkly outfits.”
“That makes it so much more believable,” she tells me, raising her eyebrows.
“Totally.”
We pay for our food and then leave, pausing once we’re outside. The sun feels glorious today, though standing here under it makes me realize how powerful and dangerous it really is.
And how we cannot survive without it.
“I’m going to do a bit of shopping,” Delphi says. “You’re welcome to join.”
“I should probably head home. A homeless man was found dead last night and I’m waiting for the coroner’s report. Hopefully it’ll be in my inbox when I get home.”
“You’re a little odd. I like that.”
“Uh, thanks?”
She laughs. “You’re welcome. We’re glad you’re here, Wren. And by that, I mean the pack. Xavier and Theo…they’re scary.”
“They are,” I agree. “Oh, this is kinda random, but my, uh, sister-in-law gets invited to all sorts of cool places.”
“Mabel,” Delphi says. “I follow her on TikTok.”
“Perfect, then you know. She’s been wanting me to go to some restaurant with her so I can eat the food and give a review. I would prefer not to eat alone, so you should tag along. I think the place opens soon and we’ll get VIP treatment.”
“Really? That would be fun!”
“I’ll text you,” I say and then she hugs me goodbye. I get into the car feeling good. Never did I ever think it would take getting kidnapped and forced into a marriage of convenience for me to finally make friends, but hey, that’s some silver lining, right?
I fill Xavier in as soon as I’m home, and there’s not much to tell. Delphi and I talked about our exes more than we talked about anything political. I did not pick up on anything that would make me think we shouldn’t trust her or the pack.
I go upstairs to change into workout clothes, and Xavier very graciously offers to help me get out of my dress. Before it can even hit the floor. My phone dings with a text and I glance down, seeing an unknown number.
“Hang on,” I tell him and sit down on the bed, opening my phone. “This is one of my brothers.”
Unknown: I got your number from Sam. Is the TV still for sale? I can pick it up today.
It’s Antonio again, using the same code to let me know he needs to talk. Now.
Me: Yeah, I’ll hold it for you.
Antonio: I’ll come by after work.
That’s code for: I have something to tell but I can’t talk without being overheard, but texting is okay.
Me: Perfect!
Antonio: I got something…Camp Dogwood.
Me: And?
Antonio: There aren’t any kids there yet, only counselors for training. No one had heard from them in a while and when family went to check on them, the camp was empty. Local law enforcement must have known someone who knew someone…you know how it goes. They reached out to the Order for help and the Order brushed it off, saying it wasn’t “our kind” of issue.
Antonio: It is
Me: You’re sure?
Antonio: I sent a picture…still trying to send.
I put the phone down, looking at Xavier, who’s been reading the texts this whole time. A few seconds later a photo comes through.
“Wow,” I say out loud. The photo was taken inside the camp’s mess hall and shows a circle made from dead birds. Inside the circle is a demon sigil that appears to be drawn in blood. “This is one-hundred percent our thing.”
Chapter
Thirty
Camp Dogwood is several hours away, nestled along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It’s a nondenominational Christian summer camp and has been around since the 1990s. Despite its middle-of-nowhere location, it has a ton of good reviews and people come from all over the country to send their kids here for the summer.
Though it seems doubtful anyone will be attending this year.
“According to the report,” I start, reading out loud. “There were no signs of foul play. Other than the blood used to draw the sigil—which was determined to be pig blood from one of the pigs the camp has in the farm section—and the dead birds, nothing was amiss.”