Page 98 of The Devil's Hunt

I didn’t wait for him to respond. Instead, I hustled into the closet, throwing clothes on and following the boys downstairs.During the entire drive, I kept trying her phone, each unanswered call sending me further into despair. We pulled up to St. Mary’s, and I hopped out of the car, not waiting for anyone before I set off toward her last known location. There were classes every day, so the campus was relatively busy as students rushed to get to their classrooms after a drunken Saturday night bender. I moved toward her bubble, scanning the faces in the crowd to see if I saw her sitting in the quad.

My feet carried me toward her last known location, a sense of dread creeping over me with every step.Please be okay, please be okay,a constant mantra ran through my head as I headed up the stairs into the cathedral. It was dimly lit, the scent of old wood and incense heavy in the air as I stepped into the vast space. Sunlight filtered through the stained glass windows, casting colorful patterns on the stone floor. My eyes scanned the pews, searching for any sign of Lacey amidst the hushed silence of the cathedral. As I approached the altar, a figure caught my eye—a flash of familiar blonde hair shadowed above.

My steps faltered, and my breath caught in my throat as I looked up. My heart stopped at the sight before me—Lacey, naked and crucified on a cross behind the altar. Blood dripped from her wrists and ankles, pooling on the stone floor below. Her head hung lifelessly to the side. Her body was gutted, with entrails spilling out onto the ground in a gruesome display. I knew she was dead, but my mind couldn’t process her death. A strangled gasp escaped my lips, and I stumbled back, my hands flying to cover my mouth in horror as the scene before me seared into my mind like a brand. My legs buckled beneath me as my vision started to blur, and I dropped to my knees. A blood-curdling scream echoed around me, and it wasn’t until Archer wrapped his arms around me that I realized the scream was coming from me.

I couldn't breathe. I couldn't move. I couldn't think. My mind was a whirlwind of terror, shock, and disbelief. I wanted to cry, to run, to do something, anything, but my body froze in place, utterly incapacitated.

Theo and Kai rushed to my side, the horror etched on their faces mirroring my own.

"We have to get her out of here," Archer whispered hoarsely.

"We can't leave her like that," I choked out, my voice barely audible.

"We'll call the authorities, but we can't stay," Kai insisted, his grip on my arm tightening.

"I’m not leaving her,” I protested, yanking my arms out of his grip.

He gripped my cheeks. “Baby, there’s nothing you can do for her.”

“I don’t care. I won’t leave her. Please don’t make me leave her,” I begged him, clutching his shirt.

“Okay, baby. Okay. We will stay with her,” he promised, kissing my forehead and embracing me.

As the authorities arrived, I was still locked in a trance, unable to comprehend the horrific scene before me. Kai and Archer supported me as we were led away from the cathedral. The air grew colder as we walked, my body trembling uncontrollably. I couldn't look back at the cathedral. My mind was clouded with memories of our time together—Lacey's laughter, her radiant smile, and the warm embrace she gave me last night. I felt like a part of my soul had been torn away, leaving me empty and numb.

We were questioned by the authorities for hours, trying to piece together the events leading up to Lacey's death. As each detail emerged, I felt a sinking sense of despair that I couldn't shake. Lacey's murder was a cold and calculated act designed to terrorize me—to remind me of how easy it was to get to me and my loved ones. There was no doubt in my mind that Alexander had killed her. We finally left the cathedral, and the authorities took Lacey's body away.

In a state of shock, I numbly followed them to our car. The drive back to our place felt like an eternity, my mind replaying the gruesome vision of Lacey over and over. When we got back, I stumbled into the nearest bathroom, unable to contain the vomit that rose in my throat. I wretched violently, trying to expel the horrible image from my mind and body.

When I finally emerged from the bathroom, I found Archerwaiting for me, his face etched with grief and concern. He took one look at me and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close. I clung to him tightly as my body shook and tears streamed down my face.

"I can't take it, Archer. She can’t be dead," I sobbed into his chest, feeling utterly defeated.

He held me tighter. "We'll get through this, baby. I’ll find him. But right now, you need to rest. We can't do anything until morning."

I nodded weakly, knowing he was right. As he led me to our room, I felt lost, devastated, and scared. My best friend was gone, and her murder shattered me. I climbed into bed, curling into a fetal position as Archer slipped in beside me. His warm body against mine brought me a small sense of comfort, but it was short-lived. My mind was a whirlwind of memories, guilt, and fear as I tried to process what had happened.

Archer held me tightly, his heartbeat a comforting rumble against my ear. The weight of his arm across my chest was a small barrier between me and the world that had just torn me apart.

As the hours ticked by, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. My thoughts were in turmoil, my mind unable to process the reality of Lacey's death. I could still hear her laughter, our conversations, and the countless memories we had made together. It felt like a cruel joke, a surreal nightmare I couldn't wake up from. But I knew, deep in my core, that Lacey was gone, and I was left to pick up the pieces of my shattered heart and try to find the strength to carry on.

Throughout the following days and nights, I was a shell of myself. I spent most of my time in bed, staring into the darkness, trying to make sense of the horror that had befallen us. Archer tried his best to support me, but it was impossible. The only thing that kept me going was the promise of getting ahold of Alexander and avenging Lacey’s death.

I stood on the balcony, staring out at the grounds, my thoughts as dark as the night. The wind whipped through my hair, and I couldn’t help but feel like I was being swept away by a relentless tide. Gentlehands wrapped around my stomach, and I leaned back into his muscular body, using his strength to stay grounded.

“You need to eat something, my love,” he said softly, his voice a comforting presence in the stillness of the night.

“I know,” I whispered, feeling his warmth seep through my clothes and into my skin. I closed my eyes, feeling the tears gather at the corners. He leaned into me, and his lips brushed my ear.

“I’m going to kill him, Mila.”

I turned to face him, my eyes searching for a glimmer of hope in his. “Promise me,” I said, gripping his arms tightly. “Promise me.”

“I promise,” he said, his voice firm and unwavering.

39

THIRTY-NINE

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