Page 46 of Burning Embers

“It’s just…” Whatever Ethan’s about to say tapers off when his phone buzzes.

He flashes me an apologetic smile and then reaches into his pocket to retrieve his cell.

A frown distorts his handsome features.

“Is everything okay?” I lean my shoulder against the wall and cross my arms over my chest.

The halls are still pretty crowded—numerous groups are conversing against their lockers—but I want to head to my second period early to speak with the teacher and discuss my missed reading assignments.

Ethan’s frown deepens, causing creases to manifest around both of his eyes. “Yeah.” He tries for a smile, but it’s forced. “It seems as if Ashton isn’t actually going to be joining you today in class. And I don’t think Emery and I will be in Chemistry today either.” The ticking of his jaw momentarily commandeers my attention. “But we’ll definitely meet you at lunch.”

“Are you sure everything’s okay?” I can’t help but feel concerned for my new friend. What reason would he and his friends have to skip class in the middle of the day? Is that something they do often? Is something wrong? At the same time, I know it’s not my place to press for answers. I don’t know them. Not truly.

“Everything’s perfectly fine,” he rushes to reassure me, but I note that his voice is a little higher pitched than normal. Proof that he’s lying? “But I need to go.” He hesitates, though, staring at me as if he wishes to say something else. After a long moment, he heaves out a breath and says, “I’ll see you at lunch.”

Without another word, he hurries down the hallway, stealthily sidestepping students who dare walk into his path. I watch him go with no small amount of confusion.

What the fuck is going on?

Even as I think that, I tell myself it’s not my problem.

But at the same time…why does it feel like it is?

I’ve just turned towards the doorway leading to the stairwell when an arm links with mine. I startle, my muscles tensing, as rose-scented perfume barrages me.

I glance to the side to see Desiree standing there, looking as meticulous and perfect as ever. She doesn’t even acknowledge my presence as she tosses a strand of hair over her shoulder and begins to walk me up the metal staircase.

“Um…”

“We have second period together,” Desiree says in lieu of explanation or greeting, her tone light and airy. “We need to hurry if we want to get a seat together.”

Um…okay?

What the fuck?

Sixteen

ASHTON

Iduck beneath the bright-yellow police tape and do a quick scan of my surroundings.

Father was right—this place is a dump. Calling it a shed is too generous of a term for the dilapidated, crumbling building barely able to hold two people, let alone two wolf shifters.

And a dead body.

My gaze homes in on the female sprawled on the ground, her body twisted at an unnatural angle.

She’s naked, which makes the entire scene even more macabre and nauseating. I can clearly see the stab wound in the center of her chest, the hole surrounded by dry, crusted blood. Her mouth is open in a silent scream, one she’ll no longer be able to release, and her vacant eyes are staring sightlessly at the ceiling above, where numerous holes riddle the vaulted roof.

Father’s thinning lips are pursed as he stares down at the shifter dispassionately.

“What happened?” I ask, though I already know the answer to that question, even before he speaks.

“Hunters.” The word is practically a growl, and it ripples through the air before settling on my tongue, chalky in flavor and tasting oddly of battery acid.

Bile scorches my throat as I crouch down beside the corpse and give her a slow once-over, searching for any clues my father may have missed. I inhale deeply, trying not to gag as the stench of blood and decay overwhelms me.

“She died a day ago,” I conclude. My stomach weaves itself into a dozen tight knots.

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