Page 74 of Beautiful Prey

“I was saying that you could possibly intern for Tyler once you're through school.”

“Oh…right.”

“Maybe even at his family's oldest facility, Severfalls,” he added.

I’d heard of that place; it had once been a sanatorium for illnesses like tuberculosis. Now it’s a famous rehab and psychiatric recovery center.

Tyler’s jacket started ringing. He took out his phone and studied the screen. “I’ve got to take this. Eve, it was really nice meeting you. Hope to talk soon.” He turned away to take his call and I took that moment to look behind me.

The man was gone.

My heart raced as anxiety dredged its way up to the surface.

“I need to mingle some more,” Uncle Wes said. “We’ll talk again soon, alright? We have a lot of good work we are doing now, innovative testing, assets that can help people. I wish you could see that. If you go through with your decision to undermine the company, you hurt far more than me and those who work at Martel. Think about that.” He started to move away, then paused, joining my side. “Also, someone left this for you at the welcome table.” He took out a small brown-wrapped package from inside his suit and handed it to me. “A gift from one of the families, I assume. Likely one of those who knew your father. They must have remembered your birthday is only in a few days, isn’t that nice?”

It had EVE scrawled in big letters.

If this was a way for Uncle Wes to make me feel guilty, it didn’t work. What was done was done, and I wasn’t planning on changing my mind.

I scanned the crowd again, still feeling uneasy, especially now that I was alone. I searched for that server but didn’t see a trace of him. Maybe I was just being paranoid, still jumpy from my experience at St. Agnes.

Trying to calm my nerves, I went over to the drink table and snatched up a champagne glass, draining it down. It was time to go.

I slipped out of the ballroom. Instead of heading for the stairs, I headed for the bathroom.

Inside was quiet, only an older woman sat on a cushioned chair by the sinks with tampons, pads, make-up correctors, napkins, and mints in a little basket. She smiled at me as I entered.

I set the little gift box on the counter and picked a stall. After I came out and washed my hands, the lady offered me a dry napkin.

“Thanks,” I said. Then I looked at her, a little embarrassed. “Sorry, I left my bag in the car. I didn’t think. Otherwise, I would tip…”

She waved me off. “Oh. Don’t worry, Miss.”

I took up the gift box and turned it over in my hand. I was close to just handing it over to her. It was a nice gesture from whoever had remembered, but I didn’t want anything from them. The small box told me it was probably jewelry and I knew I wasn’t going to wear it around without being reminded that that same family might have given money to my father to do his fucked-up experiments.

“What do you have there?” the lady asked. “A gift?”

“Maybe,” I said. If it was jewelry, I decided I would give it to her. I picked at the corners and tore the paper, finding a littlegray box underneath. I pulled the rest of the paper off and set it on the counter. Carefully, I lifted the lid and found a little note on top of some thin wrapping paper.

See you soon.That’s all the note said.

Weird but okay.

Then, I studied the wrapping paper. Strangely, it seemed to be stained with some sticky brownish, red substance. Maybe it was candy instead. Curious now, I pulled back the paper. Blood drained from my face when I processed what it was.

“What is it?”

My stomach turned so violently I had no time to answer. I nearly dropped the box into the sink and flew into a stall. What little food I had in me went down the toilet. My body trembled, turning cold, and I thought I might get sick again.

Not jewelry or candy. But eyes. Two sets of them. A cloudy film coated the pupils yet the color was still there in both for me to recognize them.

Black as coal and sharp bright blue.

They were strung together by a crude fish-wire as if to make a bracelet or a necklace.

I took deep breaths, trying not to gag. I straightened, feeling lightheaded. I turned slowly out of the stall and felt the panic beginning to rise.

“Are you okay?” The woman held out a napkin, and I took it, wiping my mouth. “Boy, I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone react over a gift like that.”

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