Page 125 of Midnights
Rachel’s smirk vanishes as I start talking. I tell her about the letters, the box, the strange things inside it, the flickering lights, the memories resurfacing like whispers in the dark.
She sits there, wide-eyed, absorbing every word. At one point, her expression shifts, and I can’t quite read it. Is she mad I didn't tell her sooner? This is what I was afraid of.
“Wow. That's… a lot.” Her voice is thoughtful, but she doesn't sound mad. “So, basically, you’re a witch?”
“What? No!Bitch,were you even listening to a word I said?” I grab a pillow and chuck it at her, half-expecting it to hit her in the face.
She ducks, laughing even harder. “Of course I was listening! But come on, it’s giving witch vibes, and I’m here for it.” She wiggles her brows. “Sounds like we have a lot more to dig up and figure out.”
I don't know how she seems so chill about this, but I can feel the excitement radiating off her.
“And secondly,” she adds, holding up a finger, “I want to see everything that was in the box!”
I exhale, relief flooding through me. She’s not mad. Thank God.
“Okay, let me get everything.” I stand, heading for my bag where I keep most of it.
“One more thing.” Her tone stops me in my tracks.
She lifts a finger, eyes locking on mine. “I'm a little upset that you didn’t think to tell me this goldmine of information sooner, but I'm choosing to look past it.” She rolls her eyes, throwing the pillow back at me. “But only because it sounds like this is why you were supposed to come here in the first place. To figure yourself out andto have fun. So fuck you for not saying anything sooner, but also…” she shrugs, her smile returning. “I get it.”
I laugh, trying to keep the tears at bay. This is exactly why I love her. She's always so brutally honest.
“Oh, and I guess anotherone more thing,” she says, waving her hands dramatically around her head. “I hear you, but you’re clearly the one who needs to hear yourself. Becauseallof this—” she gestures broadly, “—witchy shit, is a fucking sign. It’s staring you right in the face.”
Her expression sobers for a beat, and her voice turns thoughtful. “With everything so ungodly abnormal about your life, Rave, I'd say this makes the most sense. So just humor me and consider it.”
And because she’s Rachel, her smile returns in full force. “Honestly? Maybe you should’ve fucked Kane, because some post-orgasm clarity might help you figure out what the fuck is going on around here.” She wiggles her brows again. “Now, show me your shit.”
I'm still laughing while I spread them out on the bed. My own twisted starter pack. The necklace, the dagger, and my stones.
Rachel’s energy shifts instantly. The teasing fades, replaced by something almost reverent as she picks up the necklace, turning it over in her hands.
“This is beautiful,” she whispers. “And it looks… ancient.”
When she reaches for the dagger, the second her fingers close around it, she drops it back onto the bed.
“Holy fucking fuck!” She stares at me with wide eyes. “Rave, what the hell is that? And what does it do?”
“Are you okay? What do you mean what does it do?” I roll my eyes. “I imagine it pokes holes in things? Have you never seen a knife before?”
Rachel levels me with a look before dramatically rolling her eyes. “Okay, so let me get this straight, we have an ancient necklace, a knife,andsome rocks? This is like a damn treasure hunt!”
Her excitement builds with every word. “Now all we have to do is figure out what they mean and what you’re supposed to do with them.”
I sigh, rubbing my temples. “Yeah, that’s the problem. I have no idea where to start.”
Rachel opens her mouth to reply, but she's interrupted when my phone vibrates.
My stomach drops when I see the time. “Shit! I have to go, or I’m going to be late!”
My heart kicks up at the thought of facingMr. Mikeand all his pushy nonsense. I dart into the bathroom, scrambling to pull myself together.
I look presentable enough. My phone is charged, my notes are ready, and the Uber is almost here.
This meeting shouldn't last too long, and with any luck, I’ll be back in vacation mode in no time.
Rachel doesn’t even look up from whatever she’s scrolling through when I make my way back to the door. “Maybe you should take the knife, just in case!”
