Page 30 of Beautiful Prey

I gave her a funny look. Lena worked in the forensic science department, studying fresh donated bodies for autopsy. But I didn’t think they made good company. Then again Lena—like me and Jamie—had a weird twisted way of what captivated and entertained us. “You talk to your cadavers?” I said, somehow surprised.

She shrugged, taking a sip of her coke and vodka. “Mostly, I sing to them or dance with the music on but, listen, every once in a while, it’s nice to just let off on someone who can’t talk back, you know?”

I chuckled. “I can see it.”

“Seriously, though, Eve, I know you got a lot going on. School sucks the life out of all of us. But you, Jamie, and I haven’t hung out in forever. Actually, we both haven’t in forever. I get it. Just come say hi, okay? You’re welcome here any time.”

“I appreciate it,” I said. “I’ll try to get out here more.” And meant it.

“Good.” Someone called for Lena inside. She looked at me and rolled her eyes. “Marcus, probably.” She waved and turned back for the slide-in door behind us.

“I’ll be right in…” I turned to stare out into the night with a sigh. Anxiety was starting to eat at me again. I wanted to talk to someone but this time not to Jamie or Lena. A person I shouldn’t want to talk to.

Was I really anticipating that? Yes. Especially now. I wanted more answers.

And because you kind of like it.

My heart skipped a beat. Then the guilt creeped in.

Emery wasn’t the worst company when he was in a good mood. If I tried to pretend he didn’t slaughter my father in front of me or obliterate my brother, it was easier to admit he was easy and sometimes even fascinating to talk to.

Boy, that felt so wrong.

I closed my eyes, trying to take a deep breath, to loosen the tightness in my chest. Everything felt so…confusing with him. I used to know exactly how to feel. Now, I didn’t know. I was still angry. But now, I also felt pity. How could I not if what I found was true? That what happened to him was real?

I was angry. But not just at him. Now, it was also at whoever had broken him.

They were responsible too.

I opened my eyes and took one last look at the courtyard again, but when I went to step away, I froze.

Someone next to the open gate to the courtyard was watching. With a red skull for a face.

My heart stopped as I stared back at them, terrified.

The figure stood motionless as a pair of girls went to walk by, not noticing. I wanted to shout at them. A low whimper came out instead, then I jumped as the figure jumped out at them, making them scream.

Then the face was no longer a red skull. Just a normal white mask, made red by the lanterns. The girls squealed as the man took off the mask. And they laughed.

I forgot it was getting close enough to Halloween. I could see a few other decorations hanging here and there too.

I tried to relax, but my body had other ideas. I went to return inside for a drink and flinched as I nearly ran into—

“Liam?” I said aloud. Shocked to see him. Then annoyed.

The tall blond stared at me with hard blue eyes. “Hey, Eve.”

My throat tightened. “What are you doing here?” I felt embarrassed at first to my cold greeting, then annoyed again that I should feel embarrassed.

He smirked and lifted his glass. “Lena mentioned I should stop by. Didn’t think I would see you though. She said you don’t usually make it.”

I tried not to crush the bottle in my hand.Lena, dammit, you could have warned me.

“Well, I was just leaving.” I went to try to get around him and he put out his hand.

“Wait, please, Eve.”

“Why?”

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