I put my hands up stopping him, “Alright, calm down. I was just seeing where you stood. Seemed like the two of you had called it quits.”
His jaw twitches. “That’s none of your business.”
I raise my eyebrows, but keep my mouth shut. I’ve learned you can uncover a lot about people by staying quiet.
“We need to get Walker and the rest of the guys in on this. See if we can find any documents that the old headmaster left behind. With Walker’s dad occupying the new headmaster’s residence and office, maybe we can find a way in.”
He clasps my hand and smacks me on my shoulder. “I knew you’d come up with something.”
“Did any of the guys happen to fill you in on what happened with Graham?” I ask, twisting my wrist to get a look at what time it is on my watch.
“No?” He looks at me waiting for me to continue.
I look around the café, leaning closer to him as he does the same. There is an immediate understanding that this was not something for the general public to overhear.
“Gluttony talked through him.”
Lukas’s eyebrows shoot straight up. All of us had been operating on the assumption that these demons only controlled a portion of our behavior. We’d been foolish enough to think we had this mostly under control but armed with the knowledge that the demons could talk through us, that was a game changer.
He sits back, taking in the information like a blow to the chest.
“Well, we’ll just have to factor in their involvement in all this. Fuck. It’s like having a spy living inside you.” He bangs at the center of his chest in frustration. I feel the same sentiment and anger over having my free will stripped from me.
“Alright, let’s get you back before this funeral shit. All our families will be attending, I’m sure.” I say, not sure what else to do about the predicament we were in, and time was ticking away.
“Even Emmet’s?” he asks, face darkening.
“I’d be surprised if they didn’t show up.”
“Then let’s get going. If he’s going to show his face at my brother’s funeral, I want to make him regret the day he was born.”
ChapterNineteen
SALEM
SONG: HURTS LIKE HELL BY TOMMEE PROFITT, FLEURIE
All these black dresses lay across my bed and none of them feel right. What do you wear to your… well was he an ex? We never had a chance to define what we were to each other, and now I must pick out something to wear to say goodbye to someone who meant so much to me.
They still haven’t found his body, but his father was insistent that they go through with the funeral. I assume he just wants to collect the insurance money since every interview he’s given he seems unaffected by the loss of his son. All business in every way.
The news was everywhere I looked. On my phone, on television, in the campus newspaper. Pierce’s smiling face stared back at me, reminding me of what I’d lost.
I settle on a plain black dress with long sleeves and a scalloped neckline that I plan to burn after. I take a trip to the bathroom, which is thankfully empty, and fix my hair. My reflection looks haunted, and my once bright green eyes seem so muted. Almost like there’s a darkness swirling around the iris, causing them to look murky.
I blink hard, but the darkness remains. Weird.
I apply a thin layer of makeup complete with waterproof mascara. My eyes sport two large circles underneath that still shine through even with the makeup, and my chin is starting to break out. I pull my hair into a loose braid, tying the end off with a black scrunchie.
Walker comes up behind me, his eyes meeting mine in the mirror. He doesn’t hide the concern coating his features, and I don’t hide the broken feelings swimming inside my heart.
“You ready?” he asks, putting his arms around my waist and pulling me into him. His scent of leather surrounds me, bringing me comfort when I need it most.
“No. But, I’m never going to be ready to say goodbye.” I take one last look in the mirror with a frown and tilt my chin upwards, pulling on a mask of indifference so I won’t fall apart.
We ride with Skye and Graham, while Lukas, Garrison and Sloan all go together.
Lukas came back to the house early this morning with Garrison in tow, to Skye’s surprise. She hadn’t told me much about what transpired between them, and I can only sense that whatever it was is causing her a lot of pain.
