Page 70 of Beautiful Prey

I would make her mine. Mine to do with as I liked. And I would make it slow.

Hunt her, Emery, they all cried.And kill anyone in your way.

PART 2

RUN, LITTLE RABBIT

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

“Here’s to Eve. For being the absolute boss babe that she is.” Jamie raised his mug, filled with cider and rum.

“To Eve!” shouted the others. Lena, Ben, and one of Lena’s friends, April. They drank steadily from their cups and I with them, feeling the sting of the rum and the tang of the cider slide passed my tongue. I put the mug down on the small table between us and smiled. We were huddled in Lena’s living room, which was decorated like the outside, with cobwebs, fake fall leaves, colorful candles, and a sign with a black cat and witch that said Happy Halloween. All in preparation for her party.

“So, when are the print copies coming out? And when do I get the first signed copy?” Jamie asked.

“I call dibs on the second,” Lena blurted.

I grinned. “You’ll all get one, don’t worry. When I get around to publishing it anyway.”

“Better be sooner than later. Did you email Mrs. Conley yet?” Jamie asked.

“As soon as I go over the edits, I will.”

“But the draft is done and that’s a huge step. Congrats, Eve,” said Lena, finishing off her drink in celebration.

It had taken me writing nonstop for several days, but finally, my thesis was complete.

After leaving Liam out by the fire, I went back to my apartment and focused solely on my work. I had all the information I needed so there were no more excuses. It wasn’t until last night that Liam called Jamie to tell me that Emery would be moved early in the morning. It had happened only eight or so hours ago now. Just five hours ago, I finished my thesis. It was strangely fitting.

I imagined Emery was getting close to St. Louis now. Every time I thought about him, I had this sinking feeling, a feeling of sadness mixed with anxiety and guilt that ate at me. I put on a face for my friends, but the emotion still lingered deep within, and I didn’t expect it to leave for a long time.

I didn’t tell them yet that my thesis was more than just a bunch of observations and records of my time with the patient. It was a love letter. An unveiling of what I discovered. I must have been crazy when I wrote it. More than a couple times I was nearly drunk. But the morning after when I reread it, I only deleted maybe a few lines.

I couldn’t help Emery. He took my family from me, and I didn’t owe him anything. Yet, I did this for him anyway, what should have been the justice he deserved instead of my father, brother, uncle, and cousin losing their lives. I did this for the children who didn’t get any justice.

“Alright.” Jamie set his cup on the table. “I guess we better get off our asses and start bringing this monster of a party to life before sundown. Lena, start yelling at us where you want everything to go.”

Lena grinned like a Cheshire cat, rubbing her hands together while laughing maniacally. We helped her back into her wheelchair so she could order us around. We moved tables and chairs, put up last-minute decorations, and set up the patio withthe speakers for the DJ—a good friend of hers from out of town who volunteered to play.

We set out snacks and drinks—a whole lot of drinks. Boxes of wine and packs of beer were placed on tables with stacks of cups next to them. Soon, the house looked haunted, cobwebs on the ceiling, fake candles everywhere, and jack-o'-lanterns outside.

It was still several hours till the party started but I was happy to hang out with my friends for at least a little bit before I had to leave. The Martel company banquet was tonight, and I’d decided to make a brief but needed appearance. Then I promised Lena I would return for her party after. It was a lot of driving, but I was used to it by now.

When everything was well in place, Lena had me follow her to her room which had been moved to the first floor.

“I know you don’t have anything but a simple party dress in your closet at home,” she said, wheeling over to her closet. “And that isn’t going to cut it for tonight.”

“Why not?” I said simply. “It works just fine.”

“No, no, no, you gotta look killer for a masquerade party.”

“But I’m not planning to be there that long and—”

She put up her hand to silence me. “Trust me I’ve got you. Thankfully, both you and my sister are about the same body type, kinda lanky. She stuffed some of her theater dresses in here because she doesn’t have any more room in her own damn closet. And can you believe these are her least favorite?” She opened her closet and pulled her clothes aside.

I looked over the dresses and my eyes widened. “Wow, these are…”

“Excessive? I know,” she said.

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