Page 106

I’ve never in my life had a gun pointed at me, and it’s different from all the times Lynx has threatened me with his knives. Maybe I could sense he didn’t mean it, or maybe I knew I had a better chance against them, but staring at the intimidating black barrel of the gun has my gut dropping.

“Please don’t do this.”

“Then tell us where the footage is.”

I almost admit that it’s in my car, but I know that I’m right in thinking that as soon as they have that information, they’ll kill me. I need to think fast, now, and prove to Lynx and myself that I’m a survivor.

“It’s with the rest of my things. At Lynx’s house.”

“Lynx?”

“My friend. The one who paid you a visit.”

Antonio sets the safety again and lowers the gun. “How do I know you’re not lying?”

“You don’t.” I’m not convinced that my voice doesn’t shake. “But you also can’t get it without me. He’s not just going to let you walk in there.”

“We don’t need his permission, sweetheart.”

All I can hope is that Lynx is still with his cubs. “I’ll take you there. Show you the way and get the USB without you even having to face him.”

He pauses at the offer, glances over at Jeffrey, and they share a thought between them. It’s not hard to guess what that thought is, not when I know them and how they operate so well.

They’ll let me lead them to Lynx’s house, and then they’ll kill us both.

If they can get there. Even with the training I’ve been doing, I still don’t completely know my way around the End, but I should have enough knowledge to give them the slip on the path. I can lead them deep into the forest and then dip, where they’ll never be able to find their way out again.

“Fine,” he says, tossing Jimmity aside, like he’s worth nothing.

I avoid looking at the ruined wing and stop holding back my fear. Let Antonio see it all.

“I’m warning you,” he says as he hauls me to my feet. “If it’s not there, we’ll be leaving a bouquet of your fingers for your friend to find.”

My hands flex behind my back at the thought of that pain, but before I can respond, another noise joins us.

Sobbing.

The three of us freeze at the sound.

“What’s that?” Jeffrey asks.

“Sounds like a kid crying.”

A chill runs down my spine at the words. If you hear a child cry, ignore it. It was one of the first warnings Lynx gave me.

Antonio moves to one of the windows to look outside.

“I wouldn’t do that if I were you.”

“Why not?”

“These woods are full of old magic.”

He lets out a long, loud laugh. “Magic? The fuck are you on?” He ignores my warning and parts the ratty curtains over the window. “Fuck me,” he says. “There’s a kid out there.”

There’s actually a kid?

Jeffrey looks exactly as surprised as I feel.