"It's no one's business besides mine and the other person involved." I turned to Tristan. "I'm not doing this anymore. Find someone else to get naked and assault. Kick me out of the retreat for all I care. I'll continue my stay separately from all of you if need be." I started out of the room, and as I left, Annie began arguing with Tristan.
"Go get her!" she hissed. "I don't believe her, and even if she is telling the truth, maybe it won't matter. We need her!"
I paused just outside the door. Why did they need me? Tristan ran out and, seeing me standing against the wall, his face changed. His hardened gaze shifted to a sympathetic one.
"Delaney. I need to apologize for my behavior. I don't know what came over me. I think it must be a bit of cabin fever." He chuckled and nodded to the room. "You don't have to pose, nude or otherwise, but I'd like you to still participate in the retreat. Come to the talks, the write-ins, and meals just as you have been. You and Priest both. I've read your writing, and you've got such potential. It'd be a shame to not get what you came for."Tristan pinned me with his arms against the wall. I shrunk down into myself.Priest stepped out of the room, and Tristan dropped his arms immediately.
"Are we going to have problems?" Priest asked.
"No. None at all. I was just telling Delaney that I was sorry for my behavior and to make up for it, not only will I beg her to stay for the rest of the retreat activities, but I'll help get hermanuscript into the hands of all the agents who represent romance at Garden Bell Publishing. I've been with them for a few years now and I can call in some favors." Tristan reached out and brushed my cheek with the back of his hand. "What do you say? Let's finish that book this week."
I slapped his hand away and stepped out of his reach. "Sure, whatever, just... don't ever touch me again." I hurried away, and when I heard Priest calling after me, I turned and waved him away. "I just want to be alone for a bit, okay?"
I returned to my room, where I shot Moth a text.
Me: Tristan is a complete creep. You would not believe what just happened.
I didn't get a reply but considering he was resting, it didn't bother me. Unsure of how to spend the rest of my day, now that I wasn't doing today's class, I found my swimsuit and decided to try the pool. Priest had gone down every day since we'd been here, including the day without power. Maybe it could give me some peace and clarity.
The water was cold, and I shivered as I slid into it, slowly, inch by inch. I shuddered, and my teeth chattered as I plugged my nose and went underwater. It was better to get the discomfort out of the way rather than to have it looming over you. As I swam with my eyes shut underneath the water, I thought about how often I did just that. Put off uncomfortable things in hopes it'd disappear, and every time, it seemed like it did more harm than good.
That was exactly why the doctors and my aunt had done what they'd done. Because I couldn't admit the truth about what I knew. That Priest...
I came up for air, gasping and spinning around. While all the clues were there, I had no real proof that Priest had been the killer. Just that we'd argued and he had the same mask themurderer did. That meant nothing. Those masks were everywhere. He and Carson both had them that year for Halloween.
Carson.
My blood ran cold. Could it have been one of his friends setting him up?
As I floated in the pool, staring up at the green glass ceiling, I thought about Priest. I chose to get my brain completely fried rather than tell them what I knew. Or rather, what I couldn't acknowledge. My brain had been blacking it out, but it was because I was forcing it to. Deep in my soul, I had remembered it all, and it scared me. Not that Priest would come after me, but who would come after Priest if I told them what I knew.
I did more laps and enjoyed the calm afternoon away from everyone. Eventually, I got out and as I was drying off, a man walked in. I looked up and squinted. I knew him.
"Carson?" Priest's best friend, all grown up, stood before me in a hotel uniform. "You work here?"
"I do. How are you, Delaney?"
I blinked, still in disbelief. "I'm good. Does Priest know you're here?"
"I have spoken to him. How are you, Delaney?" he asked again. Something about his tone sent chills through me.
"I'm good," I repeated. "Did you need something? Am I not supposed to be in here?"
"No, you're allowed anywhere in the hotel. You've already been to the top floor, I heard you saw a spider." He laughed.
"How did you know that? Did you speak to that woman? Is she okay?"
"Everyone goes a little mad when they stay here. She'll be fine. She's already back in that room, as we speak, looking out the window."
Carson had yet to make direct eye contact with me, andwith how glossy they were, it gave me a sense of unease. I reached for my clothes. "Well, I'm going to go back upstairs. I should shower and get the chemicals out of my hair." I put my skirt and blouse over my wet suit and slipped on my pool sandals.
"Ah yes, that's why I came in here. I remember now." His smile was unsettling and far too big. "Guests were complaining of wet carpet, coming from the pool up to their rooms. I wanted to point out the secondary exit that will take you to tile flooring, which we can keep mopped up. Come, I'll take you now."
"I'm not that wet," I protested. Carson shook his head and motioned for me to follow him. We went around the pool and came upon a door I hadn't noticed. It blended with the walls.
"It is a bit chilly, but nothing you can't handle. I hope you enjoyed your stay here at the Vincent." He nodded to the door.
"My stay?" I stiffened.
