Page 68 of Dig Your Grave

Anubis’ shoulders sagged.“It’s better than a jail cell,” he said wryly.

We both hovered near the door, uncertain.Then he gently locked the deadbolt and turned the chain, shutting out the world.The tension in my limbs loosened a fraction.Safe, for a moment.

I peeled off my torn dress, letting it drop over the chair.A wave of nausea hit me, probably from the adrenaline crash.“I feel sick,” I admitted, pressing a hand to my stomach.

“Here,” Anubis said softly, guiding me to the edge of the bed.“Sit.I’ll get some water.”He rummaged in the tiny bathroom, emerging with a plastic cup of tap water.I sipped it, eyes stinging with tears I’d been holding back.

He sat beside me, hands gentle on my knees.“It’s okay,” he whispered.“We made it out.”

My emotions cracked open.The events of the last few hours, escaping watchers, seeing Kate storm the courtyard, hearing the watchers confirm Toccara’s murder, clashed in my mind.“What if they’ve got Kate?What if the leak wasn’t enough?”

Anubis pulled me into his arms, cradling my head against his shoulder.“We can’t be sure of anything yet.We’ll try to contact her once we find a stable Wi-Fi or a burner phone.If she’s free, she’ll reach out.”

I sobbed once, then tried to swallow the rest of my tears.“I hate feeling helpless.”

He pressed a soft kiss to my hairline.“You’re not helpless, Suede.We’ve come this far.We’ll keep going.”His voice carried a grim determination that reminded me how far he’d grown from the cocky, privileged boy I once knew in high school.

Exhaustion swept over me like a tide.We both needed sleep, real sleep, not the snatches of rest we stole in the caretaker’s cottage.Without words, we moved to pull back the worn bedspread.The mattress sagged a little, squeaking under our weight.It wasn’t luxurious, but it was a haven.

We settled down, side by side, the air too thick with tension for intimacy, but the comfort of each other’s warmth felt essential.Anubis flicked the lamp switch off, and the room plunged into a murky half-darkness.My mind buzzed, replaying each danger we’d faced.But slowly, lulled by his rhythmic breathing, I drifted into a restless slumber.

I woke to the tinny sound of a phone alarm.Anubis stirred beside me, swiping at his phone.Afternoon light peeked through the threadbare curtains.We must’ve slept for hours.

Blinking, I sat up, confusion swirling.For a bizarre moment, I forgot where we were.Then the motel room came into focus, and it all rushed back.

Anubis glanced at me, concern etched in his features.“Hey.You okay?”

My throat felt raw.“Been better,” I rasped.“But I’m… alive.”

He gave a tight nod, expression softening.“Let’s see if we can get some news.”

We rummaged through our things.My own phone still had no signal, possibly the tower near campus was jammed or my cell was just out of range.Anubis’ phone flickered with one bar of service.He tapped it, trying to load any feed or call anyone.

After a moment, a single text popped up on his screen:

Kate:

“Safe.At R’s place.Police investigating w real evidence now.U 2 ok?Hide.”

I exhaled in relief.“Kate’s safe.She says the police are investigating with real evidence.”

Anubis’ eyes widened.“They actually listened to the leak?”

I re-read the message.“It must’ve been big enough to force their hand.She wants us to hide.”The mention of “R’s place” might mean some safe house in the city.Or it could be the home of a supportive professor or alumni.

Anubis typed back quickly:

Anubis:

“We’re safe.Let us know next steps.”

A swirl of hope and dread churned in my stomach.The police had evidence, maybe the documents we compiled.Would that be enough to topple the Skulls, or would the Dean manipulate law enforcement again?

Sighing, I forced myself to my feet.“We should get food.My stomach’s empty.”

“Agreed.”Anubis raked a hand through his rumpled hair.“We can’t just starve ourselves in this room.”

We took quick turns in the motel’s dingy shower, one at a time, leaving the other to keep watch.Then, changed into spare clothes from Anubis’ emergency duffel bag, a pair of his sweatpants for me, an oversized T-shirt, and for him, a simple hoodie and jeans.We looked like normal travelers now, albeit worn out.

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