Page 103 of Echoes

"For good reason," I snipe back.

The library door swings open with a bang, cutting me off. The three of us look over, my eyebrows lifting in surprise as Christopher storms toward us. Grey rises from his seat, ready to grab him, but I hold my hand up, wanting to hear him out.

"Christopher," I greet. "Shouldn't you be working?"

He glances over at Theo. "Someone didn't turn up for their session—yet again."

"You can save your breath. I'm not interested," he replies firmly. "You can wait for your next patient and play with your dick for all I care."

Christopher turns his attention to me, appearing more frazzled than usual. "What the fuck did you do, Damon?"

I look at him innocently. "Ihaven't done anything. But go on then—elaborate for us."

"Arthur is going insane," he spits out. "They found the mutilated body of a guard in his office this morning."

My eyes shift to Grey, who just shrugs, answering casually. "He pissed me off."

Looking back to Christopher, I wave my hand around lazily. "You have your answer. Off you go."

"You don't understand," he says through clenched teeth. "You've just set things in motion. It's happening—today."

I raise an eyebrow, leaning forward. "What is?"

Christopher scoffs. "Don't play stupid with me, Damon. You know exactly what Arthur's plan is. You think you're the only one who does? I've known all along. That's why I tried to stop it."

Grey looks at me, concern etched on his face. "Deadman…"

"What do you mean you tried to stop it?" I ask, curiosity getting the better of me. I always suspected that Christopher may have had an idea of the real secrets of Lilydale, but a bigger part of me figured he was here just to piss me off.

Christopher runs a hand through his hair, shaking his head. "Avery's been on Arthur's list for a while. And whatever you fucking did has pushed him over the edge."

"Get to your fucking point," I snap, getting frustrated.

He takes a breath, eyes darting between the three of us. "I'm the one who framed Avery. I had someone plant the staff card in her pocket."

The three of us fly out of our seats. Before I can stop him, Grey has Christopher by the throat, slamming him into a bookshelf.

"Youfucking framed her?" he yells.

I walk over, putting my hand on Grey's shoulder. We can't afford another homicide right now. "Hold on a minute," I say to Grey, fury underlining my voice. "I want to hear him out first."

Christopher falls to his feet as Grey lets go, fists curled. My cousin straightens up, looking directly at me.

"I was trying to get her out of Lilydale," he says sharply. "That way Arthur and your father couldn't get to her. I knew she was a target."

Theo storms over, shoving my shoulder to get my attention. "What the hell is he talking about?"

My mind spins endlessly in circles, trying to make sense of Christopher's confession. We knew it was a possibility, but I assumed with Avery being close to Grey, they would go for someone easier.

I run my hand over my face, stepping back. "Fuck."

"Someone better tell me what the fuck is going on right now," Theo snaps.

Grey breathes heavily, trying to calm himself. His fists are shaking, desperate to hit something. "We need to find Avery—now."

I turn to Theo, realizing I have no choice but to tell him. We need everyone on board, and right now, we need his help too.

"My family owns the facility, Ashwood. They have a very generous financial contract in place with the government—human testing on mentally ill youths for scientific research. It's how they get the bulk of their money."

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