Page 140 of Just One Bite
"What do they say?"
"They're pictures." I whisper.
"Pictures of what?"
My spine straightens.
"Wait, I was able to tell you? These are pictures of Emma on her trip with the culinary club. It's a threat. They're implying they know where she is and that I need to stick to the plan." I try to conjure the words to tell her about the first file and my mouth wont move. Weird. "The contents of this envelope aren't bound to the stone for some reason."
“This place is crazy. We should tell someone. I’ll tell someone.” Eva’s shaking my bed with her fidgeting, so I grab her arm.
“And have them hurt her?”
“We have to do something. Do you really think they would do it?”
“I …” I didn’t know they’d go this far, that anyone would go this far to scare me. Why would Aster and Barrett risk their status to threaten my sisters and me? It must be a retaliation to Parker’s article. But still … “I don’t know. But after The Hunt, I’m going to leave Doxlothia and let everything settle.”
“What? No way.”
“I don’t have a choice.”
“Well, I’ll come with you.”
“No.”
“But if you go, they win. That’s what they want.” For once, Eva is making sense.
I scroll through my phone and try calling the anonymous number, but it goes straight to a disconnected tone. Still no service.
I don’t understand. I’m missing something.
“Please let me tell someone,” Eva begs.
“Tell Parker about the pictures. Tell him … we have to win this.”
Once I leave the room, I’m not allowed back in. Eva’s going to have to lie low and out of sight for the day. At least Parker’s shirt helped me get some sleep. All of the hunted are isolated from the hunters for the day.
We’re put in the dining hall for breakfast, then again for lunch after we’re shown the layout of the island, the safety measures, how to call for help, and what to expect while we’re there. We all have trackers on our ankles, and there are cameras set up around The Hunting Grounds.
This is a resort, so when the meetings are over, we’re allowed more social time.
The sun is setting by the time we can see the hunters again.
I know Parker is on the other side of the wall at times, which should be impossible, but it’s a feeling. We’re moving around each other all day, and I catch the smallest glimpse of his hair before I’m ushered into a small glass room by oneof the pools.
A woman checks me over, makes me sign some liability papers, and asks me one final time if I’d like to back out. My knee is bouncing since all I can think about is Emma. I’m about to ask her for a phone so I can contact my sister when she excuses herself for a knock at the door. I stand by the window overlooking the pool and pillars along the garden, taking in the surrounding trees.
Parker could find me. He’s proven himself capable over and over again. Maybe this can still work. I don’t want to play the game alone, but we could play it … together. I just need to not get caught by another Were. Easier said than done.
I gasp when the door opens seconds later and Zant appears.
“What are you doing?”
“I came to give you a message. Emma’s safe. Gavin’s with her. He got in one of his expensive ass private jets to make sure of it. And I have this for you.” Zant hands me a small vial with silver liquid. “You’ll need this. It should help give you some speed in case Parker needs time to find you.”
“She’s okay, you’re sure?”
“Yeah. You’ve got people in your corner. We’ll figure it out. This is new. I’ve never seen anyone at the council go this far.”
