Page 63 of Counting Quarters

Chapter Twenty Seven

Blaire

MovementMemberswerebeing exposed by Quarter Supporters in droves.

It became a sport for some. Neighbors turned on each other overnight. Business owners were reported, resulting in their businesses being closed and looted. Each day began calm and orderly, only to turn into chaos by dinnertime as more were revealed.

People who were a part of our everyday lives had proven to be untrustworthy, and no one was safe from accusation.

Maisy Sanford, the owner of my favorite diner in town—although, Storie had already sworn she saw her at Rayner’s bonfire. Her strong alibi got her out of police questioning, but we knew it was fake.

Esther Newberry, our ancient librarian—also someone Storie had named after the bonfire. Somehow, she had an alibi, too. Until her daughter-in-law reported her with evidence to back it up.

Shane Gardener, the new post office worker.

Someone even nailed a list to the gazebo in the town square, updating it each time a new Member was caught. They called it the Member Manifest.

Those who were guilty had to answer to the Quarters.

The mystery surrounding where they were taken after someone from one of the four Quarter’s estates wheeled them away was a beast that had grown a life of its own.

I was torn as I watched my home be ripped to shreds from the inside out. The disorder was worse than when Rayner and the Movement were at their strongest. At least back then, we could blame it on the black magic stirring up the town.

Now, it was all our own doing.

Grammy and the Quarters promised it would all be worth it in the end. That with so many of his Members being exposed and unable to carry out whatever plans he had, Rayner would be forced to leave hiding.

At first, they watched each Member get hauled away with vicious smiles on their faces, happy to see the result of months of work come into fruition.

But I saw the worry wearing them down as each day ended with more and more people being accused. Many of them screamed and wailed that they were innocent, thrashing around in the bodyguards’ hands. Though, no one listened.

I felt their anxious anticipation each morning from afar as I watched them walk to that list and check whose name was added overnight.

Kyle probably beat himself up about it the most, caught between his obligation to keep the town safe and his desire to push Rayner out of hiding.

They were all afraid the tiny slice of power that was given to the people of our town had gone to their heads. That they would destroy each other before Rayner ever got the chance.

And their fear was justified.

Those who I grew up idolizing had proven to be nothing but monsters. Some were even traitorous Members. And my anger from before roared back to life.

I wasn’t allowed to be seen with my allies. Not yet. We were waiting for the right moment to unveil my gifts.

Even Grammy kept her distance from the four men who walked through town like grim reapers. They didn’t want to risk Rayner or the Movement catching on to the fact that I possessed enough power in one finger to crush his heart to pieces without more than a thought. Especially now that I knew Kyle was my Counter.

Sitting back and watching the fray from the sidelines was no fun, either.

Rhyse and Enzo continued taking turns giving me lessons on mastering the physical aspect of my gifts. I’d meet them at the cabin with the sun, and we’d spar into the late afternoon. Sometimes, Remy would take some time for us to bounce ideas off one another about the spirits that haunted me without my consent, but he and Lux were usually the ones who went to town to pick up the newest batch of traitors for the day.

Hailey had remained by my side most of the time, peppering in her annoying insults here and there. But I think the spark that once kept her hopeful and alive was fizzling out. She was realizing what a daunting task we were taking on and losing hope that she'd ever be found.

“You’re leaving your left side unguarded,” Enzo reminded me for the tenth time that morning.

I let out a frustrated growl and threw my gloves on the ground, reaching for my water. “This is useless. When am I ever going to be fighting someone like this? Shouldn’t we be focusing on training my gifts?” I complained.

Enzo stared at me unblinkingly, his gaze far off. “I used to ask my dad the same question.”

He closed the distance between us and fell onto the ground beside my feet, gesturing for me to sit with him. When I obliged, he went on. “He used to tell me that I might not always have my gifts to lean on if something ever came up. That it was better to be prepared than to be sorry.”

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