Knowing that, I do what needs to be done.
As soon as I’ve removed the last remnants of evidence in the room and exterior, then grab a change of clothes, I brace myself against the railing. I should be able to jump from this height with no difficulty thanks to my shifter genes, but having never done it, I’m not so sure I’ve been told right.
It’s not too late to ask for help, Wolf adds, and her insistence that I can’t do this on my own is all the encouragement I need.
I jump and cover my mouth because the desire to scream is strong as I plummet toward the ground, which arrives much sooner than I’m prepared for.
I don’t land on my feet. My left hip gets that prize and burns with an ache I’m sure will still be there tomorrow, but I don’t let it stop me.
This job will get done.
You might actually be insane,Wolf mutters.
Maybe, but at least I won’t get us burned at the stake or something like that.
She at least laughs this time.A human myth, I assure you.
That still doesn’t stop me.
Ignoring the fact that one of his legs is bent like a pretzel that lost a fight with physics, I clutch the rolled runner and point us toward the forest. It’s a hundred yards of late-evening sprints and bad decisions, but I can do this. I am, after all, apparently made of pure determination now.
I run with my head down, dragging him like a rug with bad intentions. Every step crunches, and each brush of a twig against my calves makes me want to sob and swat at it like a toddler, all while chanting in my head…
Please, nobody come outside right now.
It’s not exactly late. Maybe ten? So, it’s not like everyone is asleep, but I don’t let myself spiral over the risks. I can’t.
When I hit the tree line, I finally inhale a full, glorious breath. The air smells like pine and freedom and extremely questionable life choices. I made it. Now, I just have to hide the body.
What are you going to use to dig the hole?Wolf asks smugly.
Damn it!I didn’t think about a shovel.
The manor has a garden, so they should have tools for such things. I’ll just go find something.
Great idea, she adds.Go creep around outside, covered in blood, while everyone is on high alert.
You know, a little compassion would be appreciated, I tell her.Do you really not understand why I need to do this? Are you that certain everything will be okay if they know I killed another supernatural?
She’s quiet for a beat.Cade would understand.
Yeah, probably.He doesn’t seem to have a problem with murder, considering how he snapped Iris’s neck before.But what about the others? I’ve just finally felt like this is where I belong, and while unconventional, Archie, Iris, and Liz are family. I can’t lose them after everything. I can’t stand the thought of them looking at me with doubt.
I’m stomping my way toward the garden area before she can respond, and it isn’t until I spot an outbuilding that she stops me.
Shift and I’ll dig the hole.
Seriously?Nowyou’re on board? How do I know that you won’t howl and call attention to us?
Because you need me right now, and we need to be a team.
Well, that shocks me to my core.Thank you.
Heading back toward the woods, I decide to wait to call her forward until we’re under the canopy of the trees. The shadows there feel safer for this.
Only when I get back, confusion strikes me.
Where’s the body? I left him right here.
