I blink. I’m not sure what he expects. “She’ll wake up soon. It’s only temporary,” I say, calmly.
Christian shoves me again. “It’s not about that, and you know it!”
Across the lawn, Kym is already on her feet, storming toward me like she wants to rip my throat out. Liam gets to her just in time, catching her wrist.
“She’s okay,” he says quickly, voice low but firm. “She’s just unconscious.”
Kym jerks in his grip, thrashing. “Let go of me. I swear to god, Liam—” Her voice breaks off in a growl. When she finally yanks free, she spins toward me.
“Are you insane? Why would you do that?”
I barely hear her.
Because suddenly I realize something’s wrong.
Something else.
I look past them, past the wreckage of the lawn, past Will’s body, and it hits me.
Paris and Anderson are gone.
Gone.
They were here just moments ago, but now…
“They’re gone,” I mutter, disbelieving.
Liam snaps his head around. “Is that seriously all you care about right now?”
I don’t answer. I don’t reallycare. I’m already scanning the shadows, the trees, the corners of the house.
They’regone.
And it’s my fault.
For getting distracted.
“Addie,” Kym breathes, dropping to her knees beside her, hands shaking as she brushes the hair from her face.
I watch them.
All of them. Frantic. Scared. Angry.
They don’t get it.
I did what I had to.
Then I hear it.
Laughter.
Somewhere far off, maybe too close. Endless laughter.Mockinglaughter.
I stagger back a step, my ears ringing. I press my hands to my head. Hard. Fingertips digging into my scalp.
“Shut up,” I whisper, but the laughing continues. “Shut up,” I say louder.
They’re laughing.They’re laughing at me.
