She points to herself. “Why me?”
I chuckle. “You just moved into a powerful position as well. Or did you forget the fact you just killed your boss?”
Her eyes widen as reality sinks in. “Oh shit.”
I nod. “Exactly. Which makes you the next rebel in line to lead. Which means… you have some power to persuade them to help me.”
“I will do my best, but I have to go to them with a well thought out plan, or they won't even give me the time of day.”
“Ah yes, the plan. This is what I was thinking. I know who the victims are, which means I’ll assign the cult members to their kills. I could give you guys a heads-up, and you can wait for them and strike if you can. We could potentially kill them off one by one.”
“That could work, but how could they trust you aren't setting them up for death? Like you aren’t just luring us all out to pick us off one by one.”
I groan and close the distance between us. I grab her by the throat. “What else do I need to do to prove myself—to you, of all people, Ro? I’ve done everything you have asked of me except leave you alone. And I won't. I don’t understand why you think I would ever hurt you.”
She shrugs. “It’s not me I’m worried about. I’m worried about my people. Your love for me is what keeps me safe, but what about them? What assurances can I give them, Ryven? Because right now… you sound just like them.”
She is not wrong. My love for her is what keeps her safe. But I’m not the terrible person she believes me to be. I only kill those who deserve it and to keep my place within the ranks of the cult.
I let out a breath. “Talk to them. Find out what’ll make them feel safe. I’ll do what I can.” I stand from the floor. “For now, I have a problem to fix.” And I don’t have time ot argue with her. I leave her house before she can stop me and head for the woods.
Dark shadows of the moon shine through the trees, dancing around me as I walk with Thomas’ body over my shoulder. Staging his death to make it look like a ritual killing isn’t easy.
Being called out to the scene of a sacrifice as a regular district member is a little different than seeing the cult kill one of your own. But I have to do this, or Rory could be caught by her people.
If I make it look like a crime of passion where someone tried to cover it with a cult sacrifice, it could be enough to take them off her scent and mine.
Kill two birds with one stone.
I drop his body next to the half-assed pentagram I scratched into the dirt. This has to work.
I back away to admire my work when a branch snaps in the distance. I quickly take cover before anyone sees me and wait to see who comes out of the woods.
Slowly, a wolf comes into view. He sniffs the air briefly before looking behind him as if signaling someone else. Then, another wolf steps out of the tree line behind the first one.
And just like that, a whole damn pack emerges.Great.
The wolves get closer and closer until the first one tests the taste of the body and then howls. The rest of the wolves gather around it and then they drag it the way they came.
Once they leave the area, I emerge from the trees and look at my empty circle in disbelief. “Fucking wolves,” I mutter. “Of course.” I grab my bag from the ground and head back through the woods.
If the universe wants the wolves to clean up my mess, I won’t argue.If they leave a single bone behind, I’m feeding them my boots next. I don’t get lucky twice.
Chapter 22
Rory
Has anyone heard from Thomas?
One of the members of the rebellion messages in our group chat. I text back a simple “No,” then pocket my phone.
First stop: HQ. Half of them won’t even be there yet because we don’t all move at once. It makes us easier to track. But I need to map the church’s exits while it’s still fresh in my head.
I also need to talk to Jennifer—if anyone can talk the others into working with Ryven,it’s her.
And someone’s got to explain the missing councilman. That alone could shift everything, but first, we have to take the opportunity that’s been given to us.
I gather my things and head for my SUV. When I reach the driver’s side, a rabbit’s foot dangles from my handle, swinging gently in the breeze.
