Harlan leans forward, voice tight. "If he's that powerful, that manipulative, then what stops him from doing it anyway? Even if I back out? What's to stop him finding another way, another person?"
It's a fair question. I can picture it easily: Darius arranging an 'accident,' a new mayor stepping in, the project signed anyway.
Harlan exhales, rubs a hand over his jaw. "Look. I'll be careful. I'll watch him. But I can't back out, Darrow. Not now. Do you understand?"
I narrow my eyes, arms folding across my chest. Kayden would break him, push until Harlan bent or bled. And I could. Threaten him, influence him to do exactly what I wanted. But how long would that last? Until Darius found another pawn. Another path. At least now, with Donna here, we can watch from inside. Track the enemy.
"This won't end well for Briar Hollow," I warn.
"Then why don't you leave?" His voice drops, sharp and low. "Take the person he's after and go. If it's so dangerous, get out. Save us the trouble."
My jaw locks. Damn him. He's not wrong.
"Thought so," he mutters. "You want me to sacrifice everything, but you won't. This town isn't your priority."
I shake my head once. "Neither is yours. Don't dress ambition as civic duty, Harlan. We both know what this is." I turn for the door. "Have it your way."
Gone before he can answer.
The worst part is—I understand. The project and the moneymightbe real. That's what makes Darius dangerous—his lies are wrapped in truth.
Back at the house, I spot tire tracks. The barrier looks intact, but I stay sharp as I approach.
The door opens before I touch it. Kayden leans against the frame, smirk lazy. "See? I kept it all together. House didn't burn down. Sage is safe and sound."
And there she is. Beside him. Her smile is small, a little strained, but genuine. Something tight in my chest eases.
She's safe.
"Someone came here," I say.
Kayden shrugs. "Yeah. Faun package delivery. Excellent service."
Sage steps forward and presses something into my hand. Heavy cardstock, neat embossed design. An invitation.
"Darius is organizing an event," she says quietly. "Some kind of deal with the mayor. And we're invited."
I frown. So that's what Harlan meant. The satyr moves fast.
The paper is nothing special: date, time, a polished message about the environment and Hawthorn Industries partnering with Briar Hollow.
"What do we do?" Sage asks as I walk into the house.
"I say we ignore it." Kayden's tone is clipped, his body tight with disdain. He tosses his copy onto the pile for burning in the fireplace. "It's bait. He wants her out from behind the barrier."
I check my phone. Missed messages. Tomas. Astrid. Eira. All received the same invitation. Delivered to their doors.
I shake my head. "He'd expect that. The most basic reaction is to refuse. To stay put."
Kayden mutters 'basic' under his breath, jaw tight, posture sharp against the wall.
Sage fidgets with her copy, the folds creased from her hands. "What do we lose if we don't go?"
I nod. Good question. Strategic. "If we stay home, we hide. Meanwhile, he gets the deal signed. He cements himself as the benefactor and we lose any chance to expose him."
"And maybe stop the signing," Sage adds.
"Or," Kayden cuts in, eyes glinting, "we take him out. He'll be in the open."
