Page 36 of Counting Quarters

“I think he wants us to believe he’s taking a break. You all need to be on top of your game in case anything happens. You have to retain the trust of Watchtower and Beacon Grove. This is a test for you, and Rayner likely knows it.”

“We’re still not at full capacity without our Counters,” Rhyse said accusingly, glaring at her over the back of the couch.

Ah, so they were still mad about Grammy not telling them who their Counters were.

“There’s no way for me to know who they are for certain, especially with everything as mixed up as it is. As I’ve said before, it’s your job, as a Quarter, to find them yourselves.”

“What do you think we should do for the festival, then? Stay at our alters?” Remy asked, ignoring Rhyse altogether.

Grammy thought about it for a second, looking in her book to buy time. “No, you’ll want to show your faces and be on site if anything goes awry. And Blaire can help you, too.”

Rhyse snorted out a laugh, and I glared back at him. “What’s Blaire going to do?”

Enzo reached over and slapped him in the chest.

“Blaire possesses more power in her pinky finger than you do in your entire body right now, boy. You’d be smart not to make her angry,” Grammy warned.

Her emerald eyes slid over to me, brows raised.

I had no idea how to respond. We hadn’t talked about this. I had no idea she was going to out me to all of them on the spot like that.

“What do you mean?” Lux finally spoke, his tone calm and detached.

“If you Quarters were any more stupid, you’d have to be watered twice a week,” she scoffed, shaking her head.

Storie looked over at me nervously, already aware of where this was going.

When no one dared to mouth back, she went on. “The Book of Shadows suggests there’s a fifth Quarter, correct?”

A few nods.

“Why, in the mother’s name, do you think I’m wasting my time helping any of you?”

There were a few awkward beats of silence before Lux slapped the table, jarring us all.

“I knew it!”

“You didn’t know anything, dude,” Enzo retorted, rolling his eyes.

“Blaire’s the fifth Quarter?” Remy asked disbelievingly.

I tried not to be offended.

“Yes,” was all Grammy said.

My eyes found Storie's again, and she sent an encouraging smile, nodding at me to speak.

“You knew?” Remy's face fell as he and Storie shared a look.

She tilted her head and shrugged wistfully. The intensity of the exchange had me flicking my gaze away from them, over to the other four men who apparently had the same instinct as they all averted their eyes toward me. Grammy continued flipping through her book to whatever page she was trying to find, ignorant to the drama.

“What was your plan then, Granger? Lie to us the same way your family has always done? What happened to putting the past behind us and working toward a unified future?” Enzo's rage was a living, breathing beast that stole the oxygen from the room as he threw Grammy’s words at me.

My heart thundered in my chest. I fought to shake off the reactions that weren't my own, trying my best to remain level-headed. I had the advantage here.

I don't have to defend anything.

I reminded myself of that fact even as my mouth began moving to share my side of the story. But it was hard not to feel like trapped prey when they were all pinning me down to my spot with their stares. Their ethereal eyes glowed bright, as their anger deepened. I wondered if mine did the same.