Page 215 of Deviant

I glance over at my watch and frown when I don’t see any new message.

“Okay.” I smile weakly, hiding my confusion.

With my head leaning against his shoulder, we continue to hike through the dense forest, while I silently wonder whereThe Scourgeis leading us toward. It’s only when I hear a rush of water that I get this godawful feeling in my stomach.

A few minutes later the trees subside giving way to a cliff, a large waterfall streaming down at its side. We walk in its direction and look down to find a rapid lake more than a hundred feet down. I’m struck by the memory of standing atGrove Bridge, gazing down at this very lake. But now it roils with anger, a tempest mirrored in its dark waters, the large height making me dizzy.

“Stand back,” Elias orders sternly while pulling me backward, not looking too happy that I got so close to the edge.

My forehead wrinkles as I look around, wondering why we were sent here.

And then I see it.

A woodchipper.

“Oh my God!” I clasp my hand over my mouth.

Elias turns around to see what I’m staring at, and frowns when he sees the same thing I do.

“Is that blood?” I ask pointing at the damn thing.

Elias nods.

“Do you think—”

“That Henry came here to chop the bodies of our friends and dump them into the lake? Yeah, Roe. That’s exactly what I think.” He scowls as he examines it up close. “It doesn’t look like he did much of a good job. There’s still guts and brain matter all over this thing.”

“I think I’m going to be sick,” I say, bile rising up to my throat.

“Hey, it’s okay. It’s over now,” Elias tries to assure, wrapping his arms around me.

“Is it? Then why would they bring us here if it’s over?” I ask confused.

But just as the words leave me, I hear his watch start to vibrate again.

Elias glances over it, a flash of fury in his eyes.

I look at my watch and still see there is no instruction for me whatsoever on it.

“What is it? What do they want?” I ask, unable to mask my panic. “They’re not through with us, are they?”

His face looks pained as he stares at our surroundings, not wanting to look me in the eye.

“Elias, look at me,” I demand, cradling his face in my palms and pulling it down toward me. “What did your message say? What do they want?”

His eyes soften as he stares into mine.

“They want a winner, Roe. The game isn’t over. Not until they get their winner.”

“A winner. As in singular?”

“There can only be one. Three must fall for one to rise, remember?” he explains apologetically, using the warning Henry said beforeThe Huntbegan.

I let go of his face and lean my head into his chest, listening to his heartbeat.

“They can’t make us choose. They can’t.”

He holds me tight and presses a kiss to the top of my head.

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