“It couldn’t have been Grey. I was with him all night.”
“All night?” she pushed, clearly not believing me. “Where was he while we were at the campaign event?”
“They would have found her body last night if he’d done it while we were making pancakes.” The whole sentence sounded ridiculous. “Besides he was with me when I found the first body.”
“Maybe he led you to it like some kind of sick serial killer.” Emory hissed, stepping forward, her nose almost touching my own. “And how did you find the first girl?”
I grimaced, realizing how many secrets I’d been keeping.
“The girl’s spirit like…talked to me. And somehow led me to her body.” My mouth went dry and my tongue felt too heavy. “I wound up on the Black River Bridge, and I don’t remember how I got there.”
Emory’s tense stare met mine as she took a step back and crossed her arms over her chest. “The spirits led you to the bridge? And you didn’t think you could share that with me?”
“I didn’t want you guys getting involved in any of this.” Tears pricked the back of my eyes, threatening to fall.
“But you’re wrapped up in this entire mess. How am I supposed to help you when you keep secrets?”
My heart shattered as she broke down. “You’re my little sister. I’m supposed to protect you.”
“We’re supposed to protect each other.” Emory’s voice cracked.
“I couldn’t…” my voice wobbled, guilt flooding my insides.
“You couldn’t tell me? You think I couldn’t possibly ever understand. But it’s because you don’t tell me anything. You keep everything bundled inside. How can I understand what you’re going through if you shut me out?” She was yelling now.
“Emory…” I took a step closer, reaching out to grip her arm, but she yanked it away.
“No more keeping everyone in the dark. You have to tell the others, or I will.” She wiped the tears with the back of her sleeve.
“Okay.” I nodded in agreement despite the growing pit in my stomach at the thought of confessing everything to my friends.
She turned and stalked back to the parking lot. By the time I reached the car, the crowd had disappeared. The only thing left was the crime scene tape and blood stained bricks.
CHAPTER 32
GREY
Ifelt the magic stir. A restless energy settled into my bones. I needed to leave the house —now.
The Dutchman was quiet and empty at this early hour. I took a seat at the bar, tapping my fingers impatiently.
“A little early even for you, isn’t it?” Hayes asked.
“Nice to see you, too.” I pointed at the bottle of whiskey on the shelf behind him.
“Shut up, asshole,” he said, pouring a generous glass of the brown liquid. I didn’t bother sipping and instead downed the entire thing in one gulp.
“Does this have anything to do with the pretty witch you’ve been hanging around?” He quirked a brow in my direction as he refilled my empty glass.
“How do you know I’ve been hanging out with someone?” I sipped the whiskey this time, fighting the urge to down the entire thing again.
“I’m a bartender in a small town. People talk, especially when it comes to someone as interesting as Lyra Clarke.”
People needed to mind their own damn business and stop sticking their noses where they didn’t belong.
“So, you and the Clarke girl…” Hayes waited for me to continue.
I opened and shut my mouth as I worked out how much to actually tell him. Old habits died hard. “Lyra is helping me remove this damn thing.” I pulled down my sweatshirt to give him a better view of the shackle around my neck.
