Page 36 of Haunted Prey

“That’s just it though, it’s more of a goth thing. It’ll be dark and some people might be wearing masks or heavy makeup or costumes.”

“It's way past Halloween.”

“Well, it's not that sort of party.”

I arched a brow at her. “What kind of party exactly?”

“Dang, Lena, don’t beat around the subject, just tell her it’s a sex party,” Marcus huffed.

I stared at Lena who gave me a sheepish look. “No, nooo, not a sex party. Like an erotic thing, yeah, but no sex, well, not unless…I mean, no, not for us.”

I tried not to laugh. “A BDSM thing? Seriously?”

“It’s like a celebration of eroticism. But some might want to hide identities because, you know, kinky stuff and all, so masks and shit.”

“It’s basically at an old goth club,” Marcus explained. “It’s a special night that’s fetish themed. The club and the old building it’s at got new owners and completely renovated so this is kind of their little opening too. I’m not a fan of that sort of thing but Lena”—he nudged her with his elbow—“likes the freaky stuff.”

“I just think it sounds fun. And I got lucky on the invite,” she said, not sounding so convincing. “And so what if I like the darker stuff.” She turned back to me, giving me a more serious look. “No pressure though, Eve. I definitely don’t want you getting caught either. I just thought you might like to get out, take your mind off…everything.”

I knew she meant well. Lena being the extroverted queen that she was figured being around people would help when lately I’d wanted the opposite.

“Honestly, I don’t know,” I said.

“No sweat, hon.”

Her phone went off and she looked to see the number. Her expression shifted to worry. “I’ll be right back,” she said andwheeled herself out of the kitchen, down the hall to a vacant room.

“She means well,” Marcus said. “You know it’s hard for her to say no to a good time. She’s always the work-hard-play-hard kinda girl. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her chill alone in a room for more than an hour until she’s calling someone. And then there’s social media.” He shakes his head. “Love her, but I don’t think she’d survive without her phone.” He blushed when he realized what he said. He spooned a heaping portion of chicken and rice, clearing his throat. “Don’t mention I said that,” he mumbled.

I laughed softly. “Not a soul.”

“I think she’s just chasing her high school years,” he continued. He took a large bite of his rice, practically swallowing it down after barely chewing before he said, “She was a homecoming queen two years in a row. Hard to believe she’s so into all the morbid stuff.”

“It is kind of funny, isn’t it?”

He studied me carefully. “You are too.”

“What?”

“Into the darker stuff. Criminal psychology, right? I mean, until everything happened...”

I glanced away, knowing what he meant.

“Sorry,” he mumbled. “Lena talks, you know…and, well, the news.”

I tried not to stiffen but failed. “Yeah, it’s everywhere, huh?”

“But I don’t judge,” he assured. “My little bro was in a ward. And you went through crazier shit than he did. You know…it's hard.”

I nodded.

Lena returned, furiously wheeling back into the kitchen, her face now a little red. “Well, you want bad news or good news first? Scratch that; it's mostly bad news.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“Liam.”

I shifted in my seat. “What about him?”

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