Page 5 of Mourning Wings

Finally,Ispot the staircase and race up, my mind focused on my best friend and the imageIsaw on the monitor.Ireach the landing, breathless and anxious, scanning the hallway forIsabel.Whereis she?

Iremember the layout from the screen and head toward the room whereIthinkIsaw her.Thedoor is slightly ajar, andIpush it open, my heart in my throat.

“Hey!”Ishout, my voice shaking. “Getaway from her!”

Theguy looks up, startled, as my best friend’s eyes meet mine, filled with relief.Irush to her side, my hands trembling asIhelp her up. “Areyou okay?”

Shenods, tears brimming in her eyes. “Iam now.Thankyou.”

Iglare at the man. “We’releaving,”Isay firmly, guidingIsabelout of the room and back downstairs.

Itake her to whatI’massuming is the bathroom, given the line leading to the door.Weskip it, hearing a medley of shouts and grumbles, butIjust turn my face and scowl at them.

It’sunlike me to bare my teeth at strangers, but my best friend is in shock, andIneed to figure out what the fuck is unfolding in this house.

Assoon as we’re locked in,Iplop a still-shakingIsabelon the closed toilet seat.

Irinse an empty cupIfind on the counter with soap then fill it with water, handing it to her.Shegulps it all in one go.

“Didyou know that guy?”Iask once she takes a few calming breaths.

Hereyes are filled with tears, ready to overflow, as she nods. “Yes.He’sthe one who invited us here,” she replies, her voice trembling.

It’sthe man fromVanguard,Ebonridge’selite men’s club, an exclusive establishment tucked away in the heart of the town.

Themembers are all affluent men of esteemed status.Eachmember is distinguished not just by their wealth, but by their achievements in business, politics, or the arts.Membershipis by invitation only.

Andmy best friend happens to work there.

Ilean against the sink, the cool porcelain grounding me asItry to collect my thoughts.Myfrustrated eyes meet me in the mirror.

“Iasked you to get us an invitation to this party,”Ibegin.Ican’t quite meet her gaze directly, soIfocus on the tiles beneath my feet. “Iwanted to snoop around, figure out what’s going on with theWhitmores.Ishould’ve known it would turn out to be something like this.”

Iswallow hard, the lump in my throat making it difficult to speak.Theguilt gnaws at me, twisting in my stomach.I’venever felt so selfish. “I’mso sorry,Isa.”

Isabelshifts on her seat and takes a deep breath, her gaze finally softening as she looks at me through the mirror. “It’sokay.Idecided to come with you.Noone forced me.It’snot your fault.”Herhand reaches out to touch my arm. “Ichose to be here becauseIwant to help you find out what happened toCamila.Don’tbeat yourself up about it.We’rein this together.”

WhenIsamentionsCamila, my heart clenches, an ache that never truly goes away.I’vebeen searching for her ever since we were torn apart.

Wewere just kids back then, but the bond we formed was unbreakable.

Losingher felt like losing a part of myself, a piece of my heartI’vebeen desperately trying to find ever since.

“Thanks,Isa.”Itake her into my arms and squeeze tight.

Isabelnods. “AllIwanted was to go somewhere quiet.That’swhy he took me upstairs.I’mso stupid.Ishould’ve known he’d come onto me.”

“Pleasedon’t blame yourself.Youknow how entitled those types of men are.Theythink everyone owes them something, especially women,”Isay on a sigh. “I’mjust happyIgot to you before he did anything else.”

“Howdid you knowIwas in trouble?”Isabelasks, sniffling into my chest.

“Iwent to the basement to look around and saw a bunch of screens.Therewere dozens, showing different rooms at different angles.Itwas so fucked up.”Achill runs down my spine. “There’ssomething sinister about this place,Isa.”

“He…he asked me to play a game,” she says.Theimage ofLisarunning through the halls flashes in my mind.

“Whatkind of game?”

“I’mnot sure.Hesaid something about hide-and-seek,” she mutters.

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