Page 63 of Season of the Wolf

“You seven to the truck,” his voice boomed, addressing my brothers and I when he gestured toward Liam’s pickup we borrowed to get here.

I didn’t miss the nervous glance Dallas aimed in the general direction of the falls as the guys filed in, lowering the truck’s bed beneath their weight.

What was happening?

What was the Sovereign’s plan?

A tight hug squeezed my neck when Beth grabbed me. “I’m gonna go check on my parents and then I’ll call. If I can’t get through, I’ll be by later to check on you.”

I nodded aimlessly, in shock. I stood there, watching as Beth sprinted to her car, watching as Chris and Lucas followed in a jeep, likely planning to make sure she got home okay.

“Don’t panic.”

I turned toward Nick’s voice, only now realizing he hadn’t moved yet. The solemn look on his face surprised me for two reasons. One, because he was probably the calmest out of everyone. Two, because it helped me focus a bit.

“Your place is at a high enough elevation and far enough away from the river that you all shouldn’t be affected if this thing breaks. Same with Beth,” he added, knowing I was just as concerned about her, the others.

He added to his statement, and it was then that my thoughts aligned. “And your parents will be fine, too.”

My parents …

When my gaze wandered up from the pavement to meet his, he couldn’t have understood the look I gave—a mixture of dread, fear, and sadness flooded in all at once.

“But they’re … they’re not at home,” I stammered, adding more dribble I’m sure seemed random to Nick. “It’s Friday.”

His brow knitted together with confusion. “What does that mean?”

I pushed my fingers through my hair and held them there, trying to think, trying to decide what to do next, how to fix this.

“It’s … it’s our …theirmovie night. They never miss,” I explained frantically, hoping it made sense.

The theater, just like this school, was nestled in the valley right at the foot of one of many rolling hills. They made the landscape of Seaton Falls the most picturesque I ever laid eyes on. However, in this instance, they made it a death trap. The heart of town would be the epicenter, the destination of the rushing water when the dam inevitably gave way, succumbing to the river behind its gate.

A loud, blaring horn followed by a very irritated, “Evangeline, let’s get a move on!” shouted from the truck by Dallas made me feel like I was stuck between a rock and a hard place.

Another quick press of the horn from the other direction was Nick’s warning from Richie.

The blood ran cold in my veins as it suddenly became clear what I needed to do. Turning to Nick, I stammered a quick statement, one I didn’t have time to fully explain.

“I have to go,” I forced out. “Tell Dallas he has to keep him there—Liam. He has to do whatever it takes to keep him there at the house. He can’t come looking for me,” I urged, feeling wetness touch my cheeks.

There were so many things wrong with this decision, starting with me breaking my promise not to run toward danger, but I had no choice. My parents would be defenseless if the dam broke. At least I’d have a chance.

And I was willing to risk my life to give them one, too.

“Nick,” I pleaded. “You have to tell him to make sure Liam doesn’t come after me.” Yes, I was begging, but I didn’t care how pathetic it made me look.

A quick nod came before an agreement that set me on my way right after. “I’ll tell him,” he promised.

And, with that, Nick giving me his word, I took off in the opposite direction of home, deeper into the valley.

Liam might never forgive me for defying him yet again, but I was willing to accept that it might take him time to come around. He would have to understand.

I had no choice.

Chapter Nineteen

Nick

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