Page 34 of Ever Dark

She sighs, and when our eyes meet again, she shivers. “Our world isn’t meant for everyone, Mia. Maybe consider taking the offer.”

No one put her up to this. She’s actually terrified for me. I fold my hands in my lap to keep them from shaking. “I… I’ve never had a home before. Or a family. Harker Mansion is the closest I’ve ever had to having one. It’s not about the money.”

Lettie’s eyes water as she reaches for my hand from across the table. “I’m sorry, Mia. Whatever you need, I’m here for you. Maybe there’s another way.”

Ahhh, fuck. I dab at my eyes with my crumpled napkin. “Why would my grandmother leave me this mess? She had to have known this was coming.”

Lettie shrugs. “Emma Harker was kind but also cunning. I’msure she had her reasons. Maybe there’s something in that house that can give you the answers you’re looking for.”

That’s the one thing I’ve been avoiding—searching through things that belonged to people who never wanted me. “All I have is a letter, but it doesn’t make sense. It’s like a riddle.”

Her eyes widen. “Then it means something. That’s how the founding families communicate when it’s important and top secret. Can I see it sometime? Maybe I can help you decipher it.”

Finally, I catch a break. She’s so sweet and genuine. It’s baffling that her brother is such a psycho. “I’d like that. Thank you.”

Her warm smile returns to match the sparkle in her eyes. “You can bring it tonight. To theCircle. That is if you don’t have other plans.”

I snort. “Lettie, you’re the only friend I have in this town. What plans?”

She giggles and blushes. “Perfect. I’ll text you the directions later. Um, but… full disclosure. The three of them will be there. But I promise they won’t harass you if you’re with me.”

My stomach knots. I can’t avoid them. This town is too small. And I refuse to hide out in my house every night. “It’s fine. What is theCircleanyway? Is that like a club or something?”

She shakes her head and snatches the bill before I can reach for it. “It’s a fight club in the woods. Bones is the main event every Friday night. I hope you aren’t squeamish. It’s pretty brutal. But it’s tradition.”

Well, fucking hell. This town is psychotic. Even this sweet innocent beauty across from me might be a little cuckoo. But the longer I’m here, the deeper I get drawn in. Fuck it. “Well, then I can look forward to watching your brother get pummeled. No offense.”

She smirks. “Don’t get your hopes up too high. Bones never loses.”

My heart sinks. I have a feeling that none of them do.

When it comes to anything.

Ever.

I shrug off this feeling of dread. Part of me wants to cancel on her later to avoid any drama. But if I stay home, they’ll only think they have more power over me. I still haven’t even processed the fact that my property is the key to them winning a poison war. If I don’t sell… they might actually kill me.

ARIES

Headlights and torches line the path through the woods. But I could find my way to theCirclein the dark if I had to. I pull up my hoodie before downing a vial of nightshade. The poison warms my blood and my skin as it snakes its way through my veins. It’s the closest thing to matching the adrenaline that courses through Bones on fight night.

He doesn’t need anyone to have his back, but I’m always ready. So, every Friday, I trade in my suit for sweats, sneakers, and brass knuckles, just in case. I don’t like blood on my good shit.

I chuckle when I spot Draven leaning against the hood of his SUV, seeing that his idea of casual attire is a black cashmere sweater, gray dress slacks, and Italian leather loafers. With his black hair slicked back off his forehead, he looks very much the part of a small-town gangster.

At six-foot-four, I tower over him. But what he lacks in height, he makes up for in pure fucking psychotic tendencies. He doesn’t get in many fights because one glare from his glowing eyes usuallysends most dudes backing off within seconds. And they’re smart to. If pushed too far, this motherfucker goes into a blackout rage. It took all of my strength to pry him off the last guy who crossed him. And he holds grudges. He went back later that night and finished the guy off. Unhinged as fuck.

“You good?” I fist-bump him.

He nods but doesn’t look at me, his gaze scanning the woods. “Bones better knock this fucker out quick. I don’t wanna be here tonight.”

“He always does and you never want to be here. What else is fucking new?” If Draven never had to leave Blackwell Manor he’d be as happy as a groom-to-be getting his dick sucked by a stripper in the champagne room for the first time.

“My grandmother’s estate is stressing me the fuck out.” He lights up a cigarette and takes a long drag.

I squeeze his shoulders before clapping him on the back. “Why don’tyouget in theCircle? There’s nothing like beating the fuck out of someone to take the edge off.”

Draven finally looks at me, his face deadpan. “Because I’m not trying to commit murder tonight.”

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