Page 118 of Ashes

“They love her. Sin is harder to understand, but I know he cares. He just has a shitty past, and his issues sort of cause self-sabotage. He’s worth it though.”

She grunted but didn’t say anything else on the subject of Sin. I knew she didn’t like him. It was in her eyes. Her voice. The way she said his name. Sin would have to get on his knees and beg for Cady to take him seriously, and even then I was sure she’d laugh at him. He had his work cut out for him.

“Ashes! Hey!” Bryce called out.

I frowned and turned to where Bryce was. He approached cautiously, eyeing Cady with a clear set of nerves.

It was rare for Bryce to approach. He’d been getting brave lately it seemed.

“What?” I asked as he stopped in front of us.

“I, uh, was just wondering if you had any news on Sirena.” He visibly swallowed. “I tried to see her again, and they wouldn’t let me. Nothing has come through the office on her either.”

“Oh. It’s the boy from the office.” Cady cocked her head at him. “I heard you were involved with my sister.”

Bryce glanced at her and drew himself up. “Yes. We’re friends.”

“He’s her ex-boyfriend,” I said sourly.

Bryce was a nice guy and all, but I had a little bitter jealousy inside me from their relationship.

“I heard.” Cady smirked at him. “You’re weak. That’s why she left you.”

Bryce narrowed his eyes at her. “I’m not weak. We were just better off as friends. I’m worried about her. I didn’t come over here to be made fun of. I genuinely give a shit about her. I don’t like that she’s stuck in that place with them doing God knows what to her.”

“Why? What have you heard?” Church’s voice sounded out over my shoulder. He must have decided against his morning hunt.

I watched him approaching, his blond hair windswept and his Chapel Crest uniform a mess. He never tried with these uniforms. Always unbuttoned and untucked. He simply didn’t give a fuck.

“I, uh, haven’t heard anything. That’s why I’m here.”

“I told you to get me fucking information before coming back to us. Do you have any, or are you just being a nosy little cunt?” Church demanded as he stopped next to us.

“You know what? Fuck you guys. I’ve been trying to help. I can only do so much, which is basically nothing but care about her. I haven’t seen shit come through the office or paperwork. Nothing. If shit is happening in there, then I don’t know about it. I’m only speculating, like you lot are. So answer me if she’s OK or not, and I’ll go back to my damn corner.” Bryce’s chest heaved as he balled his hands into tight fists.

“Easy there, killer,” Cady said before I could reprimand him. “She’s important to us. We’re just trying to figure out how to get her out and if she needs saving or is really getting help.”

“I know,” Bryce snarled. “But treating me like shit isn’t the way to make things happen.”

“Why? Because if you don’t like what we say you’ll what? Withhold information about the girl you claim to care about?” Church snorted. “Fuck off. Get me information or don’t darken my fucking door, Andrews. Fucking piss-willy twerp.”

Bryce’s face reddened before he turned and stormed away.

“Unnecessary,” I said with a sigh. “He cares. You know he does. I know he’s annoying, and it’s hard for me too—”

“Fuck him. He has no right to her,” Church snapped.

“He’s her friend—”

“He’s nothing to her.” Church glared at me. “Wecare about her.”

“It’s good that others care about her,” Cady said thoughtfully, like she hadn’t just insulted Bryce moments before.

“I swear to fuck, Cadence, I’m ready to drown your ass in the lake. Shut the fuck up, and stay out of this.” Church rounded on her, his green eyes flashing.

“You shut the fuck up, you overbearing ass muncher. That guy may be a little. . . odd. . . but at least he’s trying. More than I can say for you. If you cared half as much about her as you claim, she wouldn’t still be under that perverted headmaster’s thumb!”

Cadence breathed heavily as she and Church had a stare down. They were nearly chest to chest with neither of them looking like they planned on backing down.

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