Griffin starts slowly prowling around the little room. “When did all this start?” The boy’s eyes track his movements, and he makes minute adjustments to keep Griffin in his sights the entire time.
“I’m not sure, maybe longer than I’ve been here,” Caleb answers.
“It doesn’t seem like you know much of value,” Griffin comments.
“I have the number in my phone. You guys can trace that or something, right?” Caleb looks young in that moment, his eyes pleading for help. I bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from reassuring him.
“You think your contact is stupid enough not to ditch that number? The entire school knew you guys were out all night and everyone was looking for you.” Evan lets his frustration seep into his tone.
“Tell me why I shouldn’t send you packing right now.” Griffin sounds almost disinterested.
“I won’t screw up again. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn back your trust. I can’t go back.” Caleb shakes his head vehemently. “They’ll kill me for leaving. I’m a traitor.”
“Yet you were willing to risk it just to get high.” Evan folds his arms over his chest again and peers down at Caleb.
“It was so dumb.” Caleb rubs his palm against his forehead roughly.
“What can you tell me about the dope?” Griffin resumes his prowl around the tiny space.
“What do you want to know?”
“Everything. What’s it called? What does it do? How long has it been around?” Evan answers.
“Wet,” Caleb replies quickly, as if he’s just realized he does have something to offer. “It’s called Wet. I’d never heard of it until I came here.”
“And the effects?” Evan prompts.
“Smoke doesn’t usually do much for us.” Caleb shrugs, looking slightly embarrassed, but half eager too.
“I’m aware of the effects of human drugs on supernaturals,” Evan drawls. I make a note to ask them about this later. This is new information to me. I’m not privy to what effects street drugs have on supernaturals.
“Well…Wet works. You get a buzz” —Caleb rubs the side of his face— “and a boost.”
“You know what sippin’ can do to you, right?” Evan’s tone takes on a censuring note.
“Yeah, but this was just a little bit, and…” The boy’s eyes lower until he’s staring at the ground.
“And what?” Griffin snaps.
“Everyone acted like it was no big deal. Nobody talks about it like sippin’.” Caleb doesn’t lift his head to speak.
“It is a big fucking deal. We have no idea what the consequences are,” Evan snarls harshly.
Caleb nods. “I won’t ever touch it again.” He lifts his head. “I promise.” He looks completely sincere, but I’ve heard friends make the same oath after a night of drinking and partying too much.
Griffin comes to a stop and faces the young man. “If you do, you won’t have to worry about your clan ending you, because I will.”
* * *
Griffin
“Are you not going to talk to any of the other kids?” Quinn’s voice is soft as we make our way out of the lower level. We left Evan with the newly blooded vampire to work out a schedule, but if I know him, he’ll be catching up with us any minute.
“There’s no need right now. Plus, I want them to sweat a little longer.” I reach for her hand, and she meets me halfway, threading our fingers. I hear Evan coming well before Quinn has any clue, but I note the way she looks over her shoulder as he grows nearer. Now that the bond is formed between them, she’ll be able to pick up on so much more if she just opens herself up to it.
When Evan rounds the corner, and she catches a glimpse of him, her brows furrow. “I just had the strangest sense of déjà vu or something.”
“It’s not déjà vu, it’s the bond,” I tell her and continue walking. Evan catches up quickly and joins us on her other side. “You knew he was close,” I inform Quinn, waiting for her to confirm it. Her head is turned to the side as she examines Evan.
