Page 55 of Dig Your Grave

She gave a wry smile.“We’re risking it, anyway.The question is whether we stand by and watch or try to change something.”

A swirl of hope blossomed in my chest.We weren’t alone.The Skulls were not as omnipotent as they wanted everyone to believe.

I pressed a piece of paper into her hand.On it was the fake name of the email account Anubis and I used for secret communications.“If you get something big, send it here.I can relay it back.But you have to be careful.”

She nodded, relief evident.“We will.”

Then footsteps sounded on the pavement near the Music Hall entrance.We froze.I recognized one figure as a campus policeman, scanning the area.Kate hissed, “I have to go.”

Before disappearing behind the dumpsters, she whispered, “Stay strong, Suede.”

I managed a nod, adrenaline pulsing.

Two days later, we had to present the stolen Carlisle research to the Skulls.This time, the meeting place was an underground lounge I’d never heard of before.Anubis and I followed instructions to a nondescript metal door behind the campus theater.

Inside, the lounge was all dark leather, low light, and a quiet hum of conversation.Sophie greeted us with a raised brow, perched on a velvet chaise, flanked by masked minions.

“Show me,” she said without preamble.

Anubis handed over a flash drive, and some printed pages.“Carlisle’s final draft, charts, everything.”

Sophie’s grin lit with savage glee.“Excellent.The professor’s work won’t threaten our donors now.”She snapped her fingers at a masked figure, who took the documents away.

I forced my expression to remain neutral, even as guilt gnawed.

Then Sophie stood, crossing the lounge with slow, purposeful steps.She trailed a finger across Anubis’ chest in a way that made my stomach twist, half intimidation, half flirtation.“You’re performing well, Captain.Finally living up to your lineage.”

He stared ahead, jaw tense, not reacting to her touch.

“It’s a real shame your casket has to be so low.But we both know that can change.”

She turned her attention to me.“Nubia, I trust you’re not letting your old loyalties confuse you.”

I swallowed.“No.”

A flicker of something cruel shone in her eyes.“Good.Because once you’re fully initiated, you’ll have no old loyalties left.But know, when it’s time to Dig your grave, Anubis can choose differently.I don’t want you to be caught unaware.”

“I know,” I said, my voice quaking.But I thought enough to keep her talking.“What happens to me then when he chooses you?”

She shrugged.“It depends on if you’ve made other alliances in the Skulls.So, don’t be so flattered Anubis is keeping you to himself.If you have no grave to dig, eventually one will be dug for you.”

The words sent a cold shiver through me.

She shot a look at him.

My gaze followed.

He was pissed at her.But when he met my gaze, he didn’t look happy with me either.I’d asked a question when he’d told me to keep quiet and follow his lead.But he never told me what would happen to me if he chose her.Only that he never planned to.

Sophie gestured for us to follow, leading us to a side room with a single gold-lacquered door.

Inside waited a small circle of robed Skulls members.I recognized one from the crypt, but their face was hidden behind a mask.In the center stood a stone pedestal bearing black candles arranged in a triangular pattern.

The robed figure spoke in a gravelly voice: “Anubis.Nubia.Step forward and receive the Mark of the Crescent.”

My heart hammered.Another ceremony?Another vow?

Sophie smiled, the candle flames casting eerie shadows on her face.“You’ve proven yourselves.This mark shows your status as novices who are nearly full members.It also binds you deeper to us.”

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