“My sister,” says Asher. “Camellia Thorley.”
“Doesn’t ring a bell.”
“It should. She disappeared into the Gravewood two weeks ago.”
“The Gravewood spans over four thousand acres,” says Lys dryly.
“Four thousand acres that are underyourcontrol.”
Lys’s smile is thin. “While I appreciate the insinuation that I’m some sort of all-seeing god, I don’t actually possess the omnipresence to be everywhere at once. Your sister isn’t here at Mercy Ridge, which means that wherever else she is, she’s dead.”
“Lys,”hisses Shea.
“Well, it’s true.”
“It doesn’t matter if she is or isn’t,” says Asher. “I promised my mom I’d find her.”
“That’s quite the sacrifice,” says Lys. “I’m curious to hear what it is you plan to do with her, once you’re successful. You can’t carry her bones back home, it’s a breach of quarantine. Not to mention, you’re a fugitive. If the watch doesn’t kill you, the woods will. You’re a part of the Gravewood now, same as your sister.”
Shea flinches, but Asher looks unfazed. “It’s what you do for family.”
“Noble.” Lys ticks the superlatives off on his fingers. “Loyal. Brave. Selfless. You’re a veritable fount of good qualities.”
“So, you’ll help me find her?”
“I’m still undecided.” Lys sinks deeper into his chair, kicking out his feet. “How does Shea factor into this?”
“Shea is going home,” says Shea. “She has a math test today.”
There’s a short pause. Then, “You’re not going back.”
He says it like it’s an undisputed fact. The sky is blue. The ocean is wet. You’re never going home again.
Her voice tight, she says, “I think I must have misheard you.”
“Hornbeam is a dead end.” He doesn’t bother repeating himself. “I’m getting tired of waiting for you to realize it.”
“Ihaveto go home. I— We havea deal.”
“Wehada deal.” Lys sits forward, rippling with energy. “Bringing a watchdog here tonight was a breach of contract, which means our agreement is null. I’m negotiating a new one.”
“It’s not her fault,” cuts in Asher. “I’m the one who pushed her into coming.”
“Protective.” Lys looks less than impressed. “Another worthy attribute. No wonder she likes you so much; I’m halfway in love with you already.”
Heat flames Shea’s cheeks. “You’re being unreasonable. I can’t just never go home again. I have family that depends on me.”
Lys’s gaze snaps to hers. “You said there was no one else.”
She backpedals as best she can. “Did I say that? I don’t remember.”
“You told me you were alone.” Lys rises from his chair, his shadow tapering to a point beneath the rapidly diminishing dark. “You said your parents were dead.”
“Iamalone, I’m—”
“She’s keeping her mother in the cellar,” says Asher, and Shea whips around to face him, horrified. He doesn’t spare her so much as a glance. “It looks like she ingested something from the Gravewood.”
“Looks like,” echoes Lys.
