Page 15 of Into the Light

Beatrice seemed to understand and turned to leave. Santiago stood there, and she gave him a quick nod before walking around him. She hesitated at the elevator, looking back at me. “If you ever need someone to talk to, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I mean it.”

I offered her a small wary smile. “Thank you, Beatrice. I’ll keep that in mind.”

Santiago gave me a silent nod before retreating into his apartment.

“Thank you,” I mumbled as I shut the door, feeling the weight of the unexpected encounter. Part of me wanted to believe that her apology was sincere, but my trust had been shattered, and it wasn’t something that could easily be mended. The turmoil in my heart only served as a reminder of how much I longed for Rain’s presence and support, and I wondered if that was the part I needed to fix first before I could forgive anyone else.

Chapter six

This was a terrible idea.

Possibly one of my worst decisions yet, but honestly, I couldn’t care less. Dressed head to toe in black, I stood out amid the vibrant colors of the frat party. I had my backpack with Rain’s camera and a pair of oversized sunglasses—yes, at night. I knew it made me stand out, but I needed an excuse for leaving my house so late. The only logical thing I could think of was Marissa’s suggestion to tell Santiago I had gotten my period and needed to run to the store. It had worked well enough as a cover before. Marissa and Pico had to take care of a few things first, so I decided to go before them. Marissa had given me a hug, confirming I was okay to go ahead of them.

“I’ll be good. Thank you,” I had responded softly before I headed out.

When I got there, I walked past the people waiting in line, and groans and annoyed murmurs came from behind me.

“Who does she think she is?”

“She can’t just cut in line like that.”

“You can’t skip us.”

I had never waited in that line before, and I wasn’t planning to start now. Strolling up to the front, I half expected to see Rain since he usually manned this post, but it wasn’t a face I recognized.

“I need to see Rain,” I demanded, positioning myself in a way that blocked him in with my body, hands gripping the arms of his white folding chair. A searing pain shot from the back of my ear as memories of last year flashed before me. I blinked, trying to will back the self-assured Ember.

“Who the hell do you think you are?” The guy tried to pry my hands from the chair, but I held on tighter.

“Don’t make this any harder than it needs to be,” I said, pointing at his radio on his hip. “Just use it to call him.”

“And say what? Some crazy chick is demanding to see you?” He chuckled. “Come on, girl, move along. No pussy is worth this mess.”

I saw red. Without hesitation, I snatched the radio off his hip and flung my sunglasses at his face. As he screamed and grabbed my hand, I pressed the talk button.

“Get your damn ass out here,” I growled into the radio, confident he would recognize my voice.

“What the hell?” The guy grabbed the radio, but I let it slip, along with my sunglasses, from my grasp before he glanced in my direction. “Ember?”

“Oh crap, that’s the girl whose brother killed her boyfriend,” someone shouted from the line. I winced, and my confidence evaporated. My chest was caving, feeling like the air was getting sucked from me.

“You shouldn’t be here,” the doorman growled, and for once, I agreed with him. The people in line were murmuring. I was trying to focus on the small task here.

“Just let me in,” I pleaded, but he shook his head.

“No can do. It’s the boss’s rules.” He shrugged.

“Fucking bitch. You killed your boyfriend,” someone shouted from the line.

Don’t turn around.I repeated over and over again.

“Look.” I pulled the backpack off my shoulders and unzipped it so he could see the contents. “I’m in class with Rain. He left his camera. I’m just trying to return it.”

The guy shrugged. “After what you or your brother did to Ash, God rest his soul, I am not letting you in.”

The anger bubbled inside of me. The same anger I felt wheneverIthought about his . . . passing. Because this asshole didn’t realize I blamed myself, too.

I edged closer to the folding chair and leaned down so I was in his face.

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