Page 218 of The Invite
Nausea climbs up my throat as I wait for it pounce on me. Did he follow me here? How long has this been sitting here? I gingerly walk toward it and pick it up. A notable tremor causes my fingers to shake as I flick it open and pull out the letter. Instead of their usual poetic and mysterious words, today’s message is an angry scrawl.
Fake lies? Working together? Using bait?
Tsk. Tsk. Tsk.
Did you think I’d fall for it?
News flash! I’m not that easy to catch.
I’m like the wind. You can’t see me, you can’t touch me.
And you sure as hell can’t catch me. But I’m everywhere around you.
Did Amber’s death teach you nothing?
Do I need to kill another one of you?
Perhaps your shiny new boyfriend?
That was a thrilling surprise.
Guess who played by the rules?
Queen little bee, Scarlett.
Yes! Your boyfriend’s little sister.
I also know you didn’t hold up your end of the bargain.
Not a single one of you did.
The lot of you doesn’t seem to realize what’s at stake here.
You sure as hell don’t, do you, TYRA?
I blink at the name—my real name—to ensure I’m reading it right.
“No!” I gasp as I fall to my knees. The pain doesn’t register as my vision tunnels in and out. Invisible hands squeeze my lungs until I’m a heaving mess on the floor.
How can he know? Tyra doesn’t exist. I stopped being her when I was sixteen. That girl died along with Johnny.
“I’m safe. I’m safe… I’m safe,” I mumble over and over, even though I feel anything but. Several minutes pass until my vision clears and I hold the paper up.
Murderous little Tyra running from her sins.
Does Augustus know who you really are?
I wonder how doting and protective he’d be if he knew why you’re really in his life.
Shall I tell him?
Nah. Where’s the fun in that?
Consider this proof I know your dirty little secret, Tyra.
That was the group’s goal, right?
I see your move, pawns.
