Page 38 of Wings of Ebony
“It really is a fine product. The frequencies are synthesized to optimal levels. I even engineered duplicate sound waves to mimic the ones in the air, but affixed a cloaking spell to it at themolecularlevel.” She’s grinning, I can tell. “I mean there’s really no risk, y—”
“Bri?”
“Ya?
“You’re geeking out on me again. So, is that a yes?”
For several moments, nothing.
“I can’t believe I’m actually thinking about doing this! What’s that thing you always say about friends dying together?”
“Ride or die?”
“Yep, that’s the one. I hope that’s metaphorical. I’ll be there soon.”
“You da real MVP.”
“I’m really not.” She chuckles. “There’s, like,nochance I’d get caught if I use the watch. So I’m going to try to be a proper ride or die.”
I laugh. “Aight, see you soon!”
Ride or die is a code. Means friends—the real ones, not the fake-ass flaky ones—are always there for the good and the bad, even when shit gets real.
And right now, shit’s real AF.
CHAPTER 12
EVERY NIGHT IT’S THEsame.
Darkness hangs in the sky like a guillotine. A thick nest of forest hugs around me, frigid air rustling the thinner branches. Trees like I’ve never seen with black bark and wide leaves twist, bent like a leg with several knees, out of sight. Goose bumps prick my skin and I shiver, standing there.
I always stand there, heart thumping.
Like I’m waiting for someone.
And he always shows up.
Like he knew I was coming.
The whites of his eyes are beacons in the night as his tiny fingers wrap around my wrist. How old is he? Like, three? He presses a finger to his lips and worry knits his tiny brow. He pulls me along and my heart races as fast as my feet. Leaves crunch under us, cracking through the air, and my breath comes quicker. I duck under a bristly branch with fuzzy crimson flowers and step over several fallen ones.
Something cracks.
I don’t breathe.
He stops and squeezes my hand, listening. The fear in his eyes is thick like the night.
“Where…,” I start.
Then I wake up.
I gasp and blink the world back into focus. The hum of the bus settles my nerves. Some.
“Rue?” Tasha asks, smoothing her hair down from resting her head against the window. “You okay?”
“I dozed off. I’m sorry. I-I’m fine.”
Outside, the sun dips below a tall brick building and darkness sets on us.
