“Yeah, fuck her, too,” I added with a little less conviction than my previous declarations.
We both stood there staring at each other, no words spoken. None were needed. The stakes on this year’s corn maze hunt were the highest we’d ever faced.
Cautiously approaching me, Bale pulled something out of his pocket. “She’s here in town.” He held up the singed piece of parchment between his two fingers in front of my eyes.
Despite the warmth of my blood on my hands, inside, ice flooded my veins.
Carefully returning the scrap of paper to his pocket with care, he continued, “Found signs of her in the basement of the library. Cold wax, soot, sigil markings.” He paused. “Blood.”
That final word sent blood roaring through my ears and painted my vision red. If I could have put my fist through the brick wall, I would have. The only thing holding me back was the more pressing concern for Harlow’s well-being.
Forcing myself to breathe through the barely restrained violence raging beneath the surface of my skin, it took more strength than the powers-to-be to slowly unfurl my clenched fists.
“What. Is. She. Doing. Here?” I bit out every syllable of every word past my teeth.
That witch was the reason the original Town Council had come into power. That witch was the reason why Bale and I were damned to this existence. Thatfuckingwitch was the reason for so many lives perishing.
On the surface, Bale appeared calm, but it was thevein in the side of his neck that had popped out telling me he was as enraged as I was.
“Don’t know. The only time she shows her face is to refresh the magic over the Council as new members come in.” His eyes met mine. “It just so happened I overheard the Council discussing adding a new member on my way to the library.”
“Did they say who?”
“Given their taking to Harlow’s dad, I’d say it’s likely him.”
I paused, mulling over the consequences of Wade Lenoir joining the group of people we hated most.
“That’s a good thing. If they get him inducted quickly, then Harlow is safe. She’ll be protected under the magic as his daughter. Let’s go! We can still rush this along before the hunt starts.” Eager excitement in my voice.
I was already hastily wrapping my hand with a black bandana Bale had left outside several days ago so we could get this damn show on the road. Fuck how clean the bandana wasn’t, if the curse hadn’t killed me yet, infection was the least of my worries.
Bale’s hand shot out and grabbed my bicep. “Corbin, no. They want to hold out. Besides, what good would it do? We’d just have another body to bury this year and the year after. Yes, Harlow would be safe, but the curse would remain in place.”
Glaring at him, I jerked my arm out of his grasp. “So, we just gamble with her life andhopethat she makes it out?”
A frustrated sigh escaped him. “I don’t like it either, Corb. In fact, I hate it, but we have a shot to end this once and for all. I’m fucking tired of it, I’m ready to see that bonfire get lit up. Aren’t you?”
Gods knew I wanted to see the flames grace the night sky, for us to be freed from this hell.
I ran my hand over my mouth, the morning stubble still present.
“You know I am. I don’t know, I just…” What was there to say? I just wanted to be selfish? I didn’t want to lose the only woman who was worth being my mate?
There were so many feelings overwhelming me that I was left wanting to say everything and nothing.
“I get it,” Bale said softly, a rare hint of emotion coming through his words.
Walking over to an aged bushel basket that had been left overturned, I took a seat on it. Elbows rested on my knees as the sun began to dull its shine across Falston. Dusk would be here before we knew it.
“So what do we do now?” I asked, feeling the first whispers of uncertainty. “About the witch, the Council, the hunt?”
My brows knit together, hopeful that Bale had answers even though we both knew he didn’t.
His offered solution was anything but groundbreaking. “Survive the hunt, deal with the fallout of everything else after.”
I nodded, lacing my fingers togetherand pressing my thumbs to my forehead. Shutting my eyes, I exhaled a prayer.
Murder was going to be key tonight. The real question was just in which context?
