Page 34 of Three to Fall

He disappeared around the corner into the clinic waiting room, leaving Grayson blushing and me practically panting.

I glanced up at him, trying to decipher his expression. “You don’t have to—”

“I want to.”

The words came out his mouth so quick there was no denying he meant them. My heart thumped hard. I didn’t even know how the four of us together…like that…would even work.

But I so wanted to find out. “Do you want to come over tonight?”

“I want to, but I can’t.”

“Tomorrow morning?” I asked.

He frowned. “We’ll be getting ready for the party. Hayden asked us to come in early to help decorate, remember?”

I nodded. “Right. Of course.”

He took my hand, sliding his fingers through mine. “Maybe I could come back to the clubhouse after the party tomorrow night? No pressure. We just see what happens?”

Except I’d be gone by then. On a bus back to a life I didn’t want.

For a second, I convinced myself I could stay and that everything would be okay. That this calm I felt right now wasn’t the eye of the storm.

But I couldn’t forget being locked in that coffin. I couldn’t forget being chased down by men with evil, soulless eyes. I couldn’t forget they’d brought knives and guns into my child’s school and if Hayden and Hawk hadn’t gotten to her in time, I might not have her at all.

Josiah was never going to stop. He was just planning his next move.

I had to make mine before he could.

I forced a smile for Gray. “Sure. Tomorrow night sounds great.”

It wasn’t the first lie I’d told. And it wasn’t the first one I’d regret.

8

KARA

The next morning, before the sun rose, I packed a bag with a handful of belongings I knew I’d probably never see again once I was inside Ethereal Eden’s gates. But I put in some of the clothes Hawk had bought me when I’d first arrived, some body lotion I’d come to love, and my hospital ID. I tucked a photo Hayden had printed of me and Hayley Jade into my pocket, wanting it close. If by some miracle they weren’t all confiscated, they’d be all I’d have to remember this time on the outside.

I’d already been through this once before. When I’d left Saint View last time, all I’d had was memories to keep me going.

Those had never faded. I hadn’t let them. I’d lived in my head more than I’d lived in the real world. Until I could find some proof that would put Josiah away for what he’d done to my sister, then I would do it again.

It was still dark when I snuck outside and lifted the cover on Hayden’s truck. I pushed my bag in, fitting the tough black fabric back in place and hoped he wouldn’t have some reason to check the back before we left for Sinners.

I hurried back inside, right as Hawk wandered out of his room, rubbing at his eyes sleepily. He stretched so his T-shirt rode up, giving me a flash of his perfect abs. “Where were you?”

I had to fight to keep the drool in my mouth. “Just went outside to watch the sun come up. It’s pretty.” That part wasn’t a lie. The sunrises here were my favorite. They’d been the one thing I loved about Ethereal Eden, watching the sun rise and splash the fields in pinks and golds.

But the sun peeking between the trees here at the Slayers’ compound was better. Sitting outside with a warm cup of tea with the air fresh and cool around me and knowing my family was safe and happy inside the walls was my new favorite.

It nearly broke me realizing I didn’t know when or if I’d ever get to see it again. I suddenly wished I’d stood out there every morning. Regretted all the sleep-ins I should have forfeited just to see the sun.

Hawk flopped down on the couch, looking like he was going to nod off again. But Hayden came out of the kitchen, startling both of us.

I put my hand over my heart; it beat too fast with panic he might have seen me slip outside. “I didn’t know you were awake.”

He shoved Hawk’s feet off the couch and sat next to him. “I’ve got a million things to do before tonight. But I wanted to talk to you about something.” His gaze focused on me. “I think we should talk to Hayley Jade’s teachers about going into her classroom one day a week and teaching the kids to sign.”

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