Page 55 of Splitting Secrets
“Fine,” I concede, crossing my arms over my chest. “But you have to tell useverything. We won’t be blindsided by secrets anymore.”
Quinn and Theo glance at one another, then quickly nod their heads.
“Let’s start with your families,” she says.
29
Sonny
As it turns out, the people of the rebellion had been working tirelessly behind the scenes to break us out of those cells. They knew the first people who would be targeted once we escaped were our families, so their priority was getting them to safety before the Midnight Syndicate realized anything was astray.
“Raze almost compromised the whole operation by letting you out early,” Theo complains to us from across the table.
It’s past midnight and our empty bowls have been cleared away to make room for the map Quinn pulled out of her pantry and unrolled across the entire table. There are homes spread throughout Nocturne Valley and Infinity Heights circled in red that provide refuge from the innocent people that the Syndicate has declared traitors. Theo and Quinn have pointed out all the safe houses and businesses they have between the two towns. Each one is nestled innocuously between other random homes or downtown, right under the Midnight Syndicate’s watchful eye.
When I asked Theo why they won’t leave the area altogether to ensure their safety, he only laughed.
“The safest place for them to be is right beneath their nose. They can’t see beyond it when they look down at us,” he had told me.
He certainly has a point. Aunt Divina was hiding me in her home for years while operating as a part of their society. It makes me wonder what other secrets are hidden from them, and how we can leverage it all against them.
“We were half dead in those cells,” Jonah argues back. “It wouldn’t have been long before another one of us was killed—either by their hand, or from starvation.”
I purse my lips in agreement. Even after a few days of rest, regular meals, and whatever Raze gave us in the cabin, my body still feels weak. All of us are looking at a long road to recovery, both mentally and physically.
“You would have been worse off if he hadn’t been sneaking you meals.” Quinn purses her lips and shakes her head, as if she didn’t agree with his actions.
My mouth goes dry.Hewas the one bringing us food?
How could he have done that without being caught by anyone? Even us?
Theo nods in understanding. “We trusted that he would know when to make the call. It was just difficult to get everything done in that time frame.”
“Your families have been relocated to our safe houses for the time being,” Quinn adds.
Ava leans forward, eyes wide. “Can we see them?”
“You will once we can get you settled in,” Theo answers, glancing toward Quinn for permission before continuing. When she offers a subtle nod, he goes on. “They’re in the next town over, so it takes a bit of effort to transport you in and out.”
“Why can’t we stay with them?” Jonah asks.
Theo rolls his lips, looking toward Quinn to answer again. God, the man can’t seem to make a single move without her approval.
She looks like she wants to throttle him for being so obvious. They could have easily given us an excuse, and we’d have no choice but to accept it and move on. His behavior has shown all of us that they’re hiding something, though.
After a few beats of awkward consideration, she finally relents. “Your presence will put them in danger.”
As expected, Ava, Jonah, and Beatrix begin to protest and Quinn releases a heavy sigh.
“What about my uncle? Is he safe?” I ask.
Does he have any clue what his wife is a part of? What my parents started?
I can only imagine how the news about Poppy has completely shattered him.
Quinn’s mouth tightens into a thin line, her brows pushing together in that disapproving way they always do whenever I speak. “Graysen Ellery is safest with his wife.”
Her tone is bitter and resolute, making it glaringly obvious that there’s tension there. Of course, I’ve only just now pieced together that Divina killed her son. She’s got a great reason to hate my aunt—and me by proxy. And while she said it in that way to shut the subject down, her delivery has only ensured that I’ll be looking into it more.
