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All roads lead back to Rubin. Even if we can’t see how yet.

The Laniidae sisters were just connecting dots that we’d already lined up. Everyone who followed The Messenger turned into one of those zoned-out zombies.

I was honestly surprised by how firm these sorority sisters were willing to be with Cyrus. One look at any of the Freaks would have been enough to send the average person running. But Laniidae hadn’t come to mess around.

Maybe they’re not so spoiled after all.

As Xander waited for Cyrus’ reply, my gaze dropped from her flexed jaw down to the ink on her clenched hand, and I saw it again. The sword and scales, the mark of justice.

No way that’s just a coincidence.

I was willing to bet money that Kennedy had one too, and that there was more to it than just a matching tattoo between sorority sisters. If these four were anything like my Freaks — which seemed more and more true by the moment — then there was more than met the eye here.

A grit, a dedication, and a greater purpose would be needed to bind them together in that way.

Perhaps I underestimated them…

Cyrus must have sensed it too. Instead of pushing, she took Xander’s word at face value, running a palm over her brand as she paced across the room. “If you don’t know the source, I have a feeling who does. The Oracle: what can you tell us about them?”

46

BLADE

I’d had just about enough of sitting fucking still. This house, although beautiful in all its ancient majesty, was stuffy. There was no fresh air, no plant life.

I need to get back to the park.

As I picked at the skin around my fingernails, Tess gently intertwined her hand with mine, squeezing my palm as she tried to calm me down.

Xander let out a deep sigh as she leaned forward, clasping her hands. She’d sat there in silence for a long while, playing up just how bad it would be for her to reveal the details she was desperate to hand over.

Eventually, she revealed what she was willing to. “The Oracle is the head of a hydra. One of many. But the one that first formed from Laniidae’s ancient origins.”

Cyrus stared back at the buttoned-up masc in front of her. “Ancient origins?”

It was Elle, one of the pretty femmes, who answered that. “Women have been quietly disposing of men who break the social code for centuries. Laniidae was just the first to make it organized. Easier to get away with.”

Kennedy smirked. “The Oracle saw a use to expanding our work, millennia ago.”

Nodding, Xander kept her eyes on Cyrus. “They handle the big fish… so to speak. Chapters exist across the country to maintain order.”

“More like across the world.” Teresa let out a giggle.

All of this information was making me jumpy. Tess’s hand was the only thing that could keep me steady.

I loved a history lesson, but I usually preferred to be swinging from a tree branch while it was taught.

I need to get my hands on something. Need to tinker.

Xander tilted her head. “Everything is decentralized, each chapter with its own symbol, to keep all of us safe. If one group gets caught, the whole organization stays intact.”

“But who are they?” Nash rubbed her chin.

A smirk played at Xander’s stern lips. “Good question. They’ve been trying to get me to join their ranks, and they won’t even reveal themselves to me.”

Elle’s head whipped around to meet Xander’s emerald gaze.

Oops. Wasn’t supposed to say that.