Page 60 of Dead Wolf Rising (Bad Moon Academy 3)

You’re talking to yourself.

No shit, Sherlock.

Wow, can the attitude.

Ugh.Okay. I’m sorry, I’m just annoyed. But look! I found the key!Holding it up close to my face, I spin the antique key between my thumb and forefinger.

Joan hums as though she isn’t impressed, and I roll my eyes. She may not think it’s much, but it’s literally the key to finding my friend. Turning, I lean against the shelf for a second and clutch the key to my chest, sucking in air and staring at the creepy door. The last time I was down here, albeit in the real world, Brayden had stopped me from going into the room so I’m a little wary.

Crossing the room in a few short steps, I slip the key into the keyhole and turn it. The lock gets stuck a bit, so I have to twist it harder to get it to fully disengage. When it does with a loud clink, I rest my hand on the knob.

Here goes nothing.

The hinges cry out in agony when I push the door open and a rush of moldy air washes over me. The inside of this room is lit by a lone lantern which sits atop a big desk. Behind the desk is a rickety chair, and in the chair is Morg. The shadow of her curls on the wall behind her look like snakes, and her eyes gleam in the flickering light.

“Took you long enough.” Shoving out of her seat, she places her palms on the desk and leans over the lantern. “I knew you’d come for me.”

Is she insane?

“Actually I came for Bea.” I search the room, disappointed to find she’s nowhere in sight.

Dropping her head, Morg sighs dramatically. “Should have seen that coming. Is it because she’s human? You feel more connected to her because you were human for so long?”

“It’s because she’s a good person and she’s sweet,” I say, scowling at her. “Something you wouldn’t know about.”

“Jinx fucked with me as much as she did you. Do you think I wanted to do that demon’s bidding?” She tips her face toward me. “I’m a puppet.”

“Why should I believe anything you say?”

She shrugs and sucks in her cheeks. “I guess you shouldn’t, given everything that’s happened. Would you believe me if I told you I liked being your friend?”

Raising an eyebrow, I shake my head. “Was it all a ruse?”

“Not all of it.” She ruffles her curls before tugging on one, pulling it straight.

“Wow, that makes me feel loads better.”

“I didn’t have a choice. You’re not the only one Jinx was controlling, you know!”

The light from the lantern bobs when she smacks her hands on the desktop.

I walk around the room, keeping a good few feet between myself and the desk. “What exactly did she have over you that would make you listen?”

“My life.”

Blinking, I stop next to a cabinet and open it, staring at the bare shelves. “Explain what you mean.” Trying to hide my skepticism, I continue to snoop through the things on my side of the room.

Distraction is the key to processing disturbing information.

“We were once three.” Morg pauses, and I glance at her over my shoulder. She grimaces. “A human, a demon, and a wolf.”

Carter’s story about the demon woman. That was about Morg and Jinx?

“And you’re the human side they snuffed out?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “The shifter side. Jinx and I made a deal. Since our mind couldn’t handle all three of us, we forced the human side out.”

Picking up a piece of broken glass from the floor, I turn it over in my hand. The lines of displeasure on my face hurt, but they won’t smooth no matter how hard I try to relax them. I’m doomed to a fate of strong wrinkles.

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