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“Even if she tries to fight me, I will keep her in the bed,” Noa declares, getting into the bed with me and rolling onto his side.

“If you actually force me to lie here the entire time, I will bite you,” I warn, chomping my teeth as Cipher and Cave leave the shed.

“Oh, kinky. I like the sound of that. And I was going to see if you wanted to talk about your call with Rowan earlier. I know it must be hard.”

I’ve never had anyone offer to talk about my problems before. I’m sure Leni would, but I hide everything from her, and I don’t have friends—I don’t have time for them. “Is he going to die because of me, because I wasn’t at home?” I whisper.

“If he dies, it’s because of his choices. They led him to that. You are not responsible for your brother’s failures,” Noa’s firm voice reassures me.

As much as it sucks, I know he is right. Deep down, I held on to Rowan because he is my brother, one of the last pieces of my father left besides Leni.

He cradles me in his arms, and I must drift off to sleep again because Noa’s phone buzzing startles me awake.

“We are dying of starvation over here,” he says with a laugh that dies off suddenly.

“Cipher,” he says, sitting up. “Rowan is here? On the island?”

My blood goes cold.

“Jesus Christ, get him out of there. He’s Valli’s brother. What do you mean Cave has taken Rowan to the cornfield?!” Noa shouts.

Oh god. Rowan is an idiot; he has no idea what he has walked into. I jump out of bed, still in one of Noa’s oversized shirts, and race toward the door.

“Valli!” Noa calls out.

“We have to go, he can’t . . .” I don’t finish that sentence because I don’t know what Cave will do. I haven’t seen the side to him that everyone talks about, but I’m not willing to unleash him on my brother. If Steedy gets him, I have to live with that. But all I know is that I can’t let my brother die, even if I hate him.

Noa doesn’t hesitate. He runs toward me and grabs my hand, then we both run toward the cornfield. I don’t know what Rowan is doing here, or how he even knew where I was.

My lungs burn as I run, cursing my stupid, desperate brother who’s going to get himself killed.

“We’re almost there, just stay close!” Noa shouts.

We burst through to the path, and as we get near the perimeter of the cornfield, Noa slows down while I charge ahead.

“I can’t fucking tell you, he’ll kill me.”

“So you would rather he kill your sister? You don’t fucking deserve to have a sister like her. She shouldn’t have to pick up the pieces because you’re a scumbag. And FYI, Steedy is the least of your worries right now.”

As I listen to Cipher sticking up for me, my heart bursts. Then panic washes over me as I approach the middle of the cornfield, though it’s not for my brother.

His own actions landed him here, but I can’t let Cave do this—not for me, it’s not right.

Rowan is my brother, and I will not let these men get tangled in this mess any more than they already have been.

Through the last row of stalks, I spot Cave standing tall, his corn sword held high, and dread washes over me.

“Stop!” I scream as I run into the clearing. “Please, everyone just stop!”

Chapter Eighteen

Cipher

Since it’s barbecue night at Ares’s bar, it smells like grilled meat and bourbon—not my favorite, but it is what it is. Valli needs a decent meal now that she’s feeling better, and something other than soup. I’ve already sent in our order, making sure to get the grilled chicken, and my personal favorites: vegetables and fresh bread. Rue makes the best bread I have ever eaten.

Kayla smiles as we walk in. “How’s she feeling?”

“Better, though I’m sure she can do without Cave lingering, so I brought him with me.”