Page 214 of Under an Endless Moon

An omen that crawled over the dense fog that hung from the heavens and blotted out the stars.

City lights shined against it, creating a silvered canopy that covered them whole.

Something about it felt like a prison. A trap.

“He hurt you, Haddie,” Raven whispered.

A shiver rolled through her best friend before she straightened in her seat. “He won’t do it again. He promised.” There was almost an apology on Haddie’s face when she peeked at her. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to.”

Disquiet pulsed through Raven. There was no way shewasn’tgoing. Going to a party in Hollywood was probably the last thing she wanted to do.

The faint vestiges of courage she’d been wearing had been demolished by the rejection Otto had inflicted the previous night. Her heart tattered. Her edges frayed.

But this was her best friend.

Her best friend who wouldn’t listen to her no matter how much she begged her.

Haddie made a right onto a neighborhood street. It was darker here, the small houses a bit dilapidated and run-down. It wasn’t like any of the parties she attended with Haddie were in upscale neighborhoods, but something about this felt all wrong.

Off.

Haddie pulled to a stop in front of a single-story house that matched the address. The white paint was peeling, the yard was overgrown, and boards covered the windows.

Only a single pickup truck was parked in front of them.

Anxiety billowed, a queasy feeling that clawed up her throat. “I don’t think this is a good idea. Where is everyone?”

“Probably parking on another street so the cops don’t getcalled.” Haddie hesitated before she rushed, “I know you’re all up in arms about this, Raven, and I get it, but I chose to forgive him, so I’m going in with or without you.”

Haddie snatched her small purse from the middle console and stepped from the car.

Warily, Raven followed, her throat thick as she trailed her best friend up the crumbling sidewalk that had weeds growing through the cracks.

The front door swung open before they even got to it, and Gideon grinned as he leaned an arm up high on the jamb. “Ah, our guests of honor.”

A flirty giggle rolled out of Haddie. “Were you missing me?”

“Oh, yeah,” Gideon drew out.

“I missed you, too,” she said, pecking a kiss to his lips.

He stood aside to give her room to slip by, then he widened the door for Raven who hesitated ten steps back.

“No need to be shy,” he drawled.

Raven looked around, swallowing around the lump in her throat, before she forced herself to move inside.

Gideon closed the door behind her.

But there was no music.

No revelers.

No party.

Just the malicious stares of the group of men who stood waiting for them.

Ice slicked down Raven’s spine when she heard the lock clicking into place.

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