Page 57 of Scatter the Bones

Jigsaw

I never hadthe chance to talk to Margot at the cemetery. Right after the service, Wrath pulled me aside—insisting we roll over to Remy’s bar with Ulfric and the remaining Wolf Knights.

I stayed long enough to choke down a burger and shoot the shit. When Dex announced they were moving the party to Crystal Ball, I ordered a bag of cookies and a buffalo chicken sandwich to go and said my goodbyes.

I’ve waited long enough.

Margot needs to hear this from me—tonight.

The Cedarwood home looks completely different now. Parking lot empty. No one lingering outside on the porch or on the sidewalk. Only one light on downstairs and one glowing faintly on the third floor.

I roll into my usual spot and cut the engine. The silence descends over me. After a few seconds, the faint night noises return—wind skimming across the pavement and rattling crumpled leaves on brittle branches, the cracklingtick, tick, tickof my bike cooling.

When I make it to the back porch, it’s empty and dark. She usually meets me by now. Maybe she’s asleep? Or hasn’t come home yet? I glance at the garage, but the bay doors are all shut—no way to tell if her car’s there or not. No warm porch light on tonight, either.

She’s given me the code for the back door before, but it feels wrong to use it tonight—like I’d be breaking in.

I pull out my phone and send her a text.

I’m out back.

A second later, the lock gives a low, mechanical hum. I hurry up the steps and slip inside before it re-engages.

Downstairs is quiet and shadowy. Only a faint glow spills from under the door to her dad’s office.

Not wanting to run into him, I head straight for the stairs, pulling off my gloves as I go.

I’ve got the sandwich in one hand, and the cookies tucked under my arm like some kind of pathetic peace offering.Here’s a lukewarm, soggy sandwich and a handful of cookies—sorry I’ve been such a dick.

I reach the top step just as her door swings open.

There’s my girl. Standing in the bright light of her apartment, she radiates peace, happiness, and every other good thing I never thought I wanted.

I hesitate, feeling like a demon trying to sneak past the pearly gates.

“Are you coming in?” Margot asks.

“Yeah.” I hurry and cross the threshold. I push the bags of food into her hands. “I brought you something from Remy’s. It’s probably cold and soggy by now and the cookies are probably?—”

She stares down at the crumpled paper bags in her hands and smiles. “Thank you. I haven’t eaten yet.” She walks toward the kitchen and sets the bags on the counter, then turns toward me with raised eyebrows.

She’s not distracted by the food. Nope, she’s waiting for answers. I unlace my boots, toeing them off and setting them next to her shoes, then shrug off my cut and hang it by the closet.

By the time I finally face her, she’s got the sandwich on a plate, two glasses of sparkling water poured, and the cookies spread out on a napkin.

“You didn’t bring anything for yourself?” She gestures toward the sandwich as she hops up onto one of the bar stools.

“Uh, no. I ate there.”

She stares at me for a few beats, then picks up the smooshed sandwich and takes a bite. Her eyes close and her lips gently curve as she slowly chews.

“Still warm.” She dabs at her lips with a napkin. “And only a little soggy.”

I blow out a breath. “Good.”

“I hope you’re not here just to talk about the condition of a chicken sandwich, though?”

I love the gentle way she calls me out on my bullshit.

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