Page 66 of XOXO

“What happened is I discovered you passed out on the worktable in only a bra. Do we need to discuss masturbating in work areas, Violet?”

“Where’s Brynn?”

“Who?”

My eyes finally focus, but a search of the room does not reveal my night’s lover.

My clothes are neatly folded at the end of the table, though.

“Brynn. The new girl,” I add.

“What new girl?”

“Forget it. I’m getting dressed and going home.”

“If you think you can brush off this incident, you’re sorely mistaken.”

“Can you punish me later? I’m hella hung over.”

“Tell me about the patrol first. Did you and Jay find anything untoward?”

“Me and Jay?”

“Yes, child. Did you get drunk? Please tell me you finished the patrol.”

“Everything was fine. We didn’t let anything in.”

“Good. And the changeling?”

“Change . . . ling?”

“Yes. Honestly, Violet. If I can’t trust you to babysit the property, then what should I do with you?”

“Nothing odd . . .”

My words die as my brain finally revs up and recognizes her words.

She expected me to patrol with Jay.

And her notes to us were to warn us about a changeling.

You need me, little changer. Don’t gut me yet.

Edo’s words didn’t make sense at the time, but I didn’t think too closely about them.

Brynn is a fucking changeling.

That absolute bitch lied to me!

And made me come hard enough, I passed out.

But that’s beside the point.

Or is the entire point.

I squeeze my eyes shut and then open them as wide as they can go.

My High Witch assesses me, the tired disapproval clear in the tight-lipped frown and set jaw.

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