Page 102 of Firefly Effect

That’s three guns pointed at Lilith, but she refuses to put up her hands. She doesn’t even look phased as she looks down the barrel of each one.

“Well, shit,” is all she says.

CHAPTER

THIRTY-SEVEN

EVELYN

My body won’t stop shaking, not after the hour-long search through the woods. Before finally finding Lincoln, Lilith, and Jenkins in the small clearing, I wasn’t sure what we would stumble upon. Too much time had been passing, and I kept flashing back to our awful discovery of Carley fourteen years ago.

Anxiety had whittled away at my emotions like a fickle beast. The relief at finally reaching Lincoln and untying his bruised and battered body, almost too much to handle. My only relief in any of it was when I ran into Patrick on the trail. He had his arms around Billy, who was caked in dried blood down the side of his head.

“That crazy bitch,” he muttered, when I’d asked him what happened. “She tried to kill me.”

That was all the confirmation I needed to know exactly who he was talking about. I sent Patrick back to camp with strict orders to get Billy help then find Lucy and stay with her until I made it back out with Lincoln. In turn, he told me the direction Dylan started searching. Seeing as that direction led toward the same section of woods we found Carley in years ago, that’s where I went.

Just when I thought I heard someone talking past a thick of bushes, a hand wrapped around my mouth from behind, just like fourteen years ago. This time, I knew who had me in his grip. As confirmation, I looked up to find Dylan there, his eyes wide, and a finger pressed to his lips, gesturing for me to be quiet.

“It’s just me,” Gabe whispered. “Do not move another step. And don’t make a sound.” He slowly started to release his hand. “Listen.”

My heart was racing when I started to tune into the sound of Lilith’s conversation with Lincoln.

Now, as Lincoln, Dylan, and Gabe all take steps toward a completely fucked Lilith, I can almost sense the silent agreement between them that the moment she starts to run, they’ll take her out. No hesitation. No questions.

Even I know that the cane in her hand and the boulder at her feet are enough to lock her away for several crimes, not just the ones Dylan mentioned.

Meanwhile, I make my way to J.D., whose chin is quivering as he watches his oldest client get arrested for a series of murders he surely feels is his fault. We all heard what Lilith said. He knew she killed Carley. He knew and helped cover for her by buying her time.

It was J.D. who had grabbed me that night when I was on my way to get help for Carley. He was the one who had placed his hand over my mouth. He was the one who whispered for me to be quiet or I would be next. He was buying her time by holding me back from getting help.

Emotion climbs up my throat as I stare at the man I trusted for so many years. “You deserve to go to jail for what you knew. You could have saved so many lives.”

He doesn’t even look at me. He can’t. As much as he’s helped me through the years, the guilt must be eating him alive.

Tears begin to stream down his face, and he just keeps nodding, accepting his fate. “I’m so sorry, Evie. I thought I could help her. I thought I did help her. But I was just in denial.” He bows his head in shame. “Lilith called me. Told me she was having thoughts of hurting people again. She told me to meet her here. I should have known she was trying to set me up.”

We both watch as Lilith drops J.D.’s gold cane and lifts her hands, finally surrendering herself to the arrest. Gabe is right there to cuff her, then he reads her rights while Dylan makes his way over to us. He stands in front of J.D., eyes narrowed. It’s clear just how betrayed he feels by a man who was supposed to be an informant.

“Maybe we can find you a cell next door to your friend.” He raises his chin. “Turn around and put your hands behind your back.”

J.D. does what he’s told without a fight. It’s not until both Lilith and J.D. are locked in cuffs, with Dylan and Gabe leading them out of the woods, that I run to Lincoln and throw my arms around him.

He winces in pain but hugs me so tightly, I think I might break from the desperation of it.

“It’s over,” I tell him, reassuring us both. “Lilith will never hurt another person ever again.”

Lincoln leans back and nods, his eyes locked on mine, fourteen years of pent-up emotions behind them. “She’s a femme fatale.”

My next breath is shaky as I remember their entire conversation. “A black widow in the firefly world.”

“I completely overlooked that rare species in all my studies. I never would have thought the killer was a woman.” He shakes his head. “I had completely forgotten she was even there that night because she wasn’t even staying at the campground. Her mom would just bring her to hang out every day.”

Even I had forgotten that, but he’s right. Lilith’s mom would have never gone camping, not even when she started dating Jimmy.

“She’s disturbed, Lincoln,” I tell him. “But she’s going to jail where she belongs. She won’t be able to hurt anyone else, and that’s all that matters.” I tilt my head, hoping he can get past the fact that he wasn’t able to figure this one out on his own. “And Lucy’s safe. The most important fact of all.” My throat tightens. “She asked me to come find you and bring you back.” I smile. “She has no idea anything is wrong.”

He blows out a heavy breath. “That’s a relief. I was so worried.” He frowns. “I don’t understand how Lilith thinks she would have gotten away with hurting me without anyone figuring out it was her. You all would have known she set up the entire thing.”

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