“Whoever helped her likely knew,” says Logan pensively. “They knew the cameras were down. They must have had access to the remote control for the door.”
“She might’ve known about the cameras being off, at least,” I comment. “The blinking red light might not have tricked her. She’s used to the cameras. Maybe she figured it out.”
Because I didn’t go visit her. She probably taunted me and I didn’t respond. I didn’t go see her, and she realized at the very least that I wasn’t watching. If only I’d gone to see her...
“Whoever it is also must have the codes to the entire building,” adds Logan. “And there are a lot.”
I run a hand through my hair, trying to think straight. “That means whoever helped her had inside information. A lot of inside information.”
It all feels more impossible than ever. I’m starting to doubt that the coach had anything to do with it, after all.
Everest seems to share my doubts.
“Can we wait a bit?” he pleads. “There’s a very real possibility he wasn’t involved.”
“No cell service down there,” I mutter. “If you want to stop it, you’d better start running.”
He jumps up and is out of the door in a second.
I sigh, wondering, as I sometimes do, how Everest ever got involved with us. Ever since I beat up a couple of his bullies in third grade, he’s been trailing me like a shadow. I still remember the day he swore loyalty to me in the school yard during recess. Since then, he’s been one of us.
But he’s far too gentle, far too kind for this world.
I lean my head back, frustration overwhelming me.
I guess it’s back to square one.
Suddenly, my phone buzzes. The entire room goes quiet, and Logan and Vale turn toward me in confusion.
No one ever calls or texts me. No one has my number, apart from Devil, and all of us are in this building.
I feel like I’m reaching for the phone in slow-motion.
It takes me a moment to register that I have a message, and another moment to register its meaning.
She came willingly.
The phone buzzes again. A second message.
She had the nanochip all along.
Then a third one. This time, with an image attached.
My girl, naked, bound and gagged, a vacant expression in her eyes.
Don’t worry. We’ll give your little traitor what she deserves. We’ll take turns fucking her before we kill her.
Gabriel.
27
Seraphina
Ten hours earlier.
The car door slams shut behind me.
My skin tingles when Gabriel reaches over to click my seatbelt. Surrounding me are four other men, staring at me. I shift uncomfortably, wondering what the hell I’ve just done.
