Page 35 of Deadly Sacrifice

I shrug, offering her my easiest smile. We all have to break down sometimes, I say with my hands. Besides, I saw the hit you delivered to Asher. From where I was standing, it looked like you let out some of that rage on him before finding your way out here. I arch a brow at her.

She breathes out a laugh, wincing at me. “I hate to be the one to tell you this, but your friend is a major dick. I’ve been wanting to do that since he threated me the first time.”

My smile falters. When was that? I ask.

Prudence shakes her head, rolling her lips together. I frown, and she rolls her eyes, muttering, “Outside the cafeteria the other day. But I’m fine. I’m done letting Asher think he can walk all over me.”

It’s hard to control my expression when I put two and two together and it clicks. Those finger marks on her cheeks weren’t from Creed. Those were Asher’s doing. The blood in my veins boils, and I almost leave Prudence to hunt down that fucking bastard.

Whatever she sees on my face, though, Prudence puts her hand on my arm, saying, “I mean it. I will handle Asher from now on. I’m not worried about him, and you shouldn’t be either.”

The firm edge in her voice has me giving in. I won’t leave her to Asher’s cruelness, but I’ll let her take the lead and step in the second I need to. Alright, little flame. He’s all yours, I sign with a smile.

She blinks up at me, and I swear I see a blush rising in her cheeks. “Didn’t realize we were moving on to nicknames,” she teases, playfully shoving my shoulder. “What am I supposed to call you?”

My smile grows wider, and I shrug. Whatever you want, I reply, earning a soft laugh from her that winds its way right around my lungs and squeezes. I like the way her face crinkles up when she laughs. I like it a lot more than the wounded, angry expression she had on when I found her in here.

The moment fades into comfortable silence, and we each turn back to the large window that faces out to the pool. “No stars out tonight. Too cloudy,” she mutters after a few minutes. “If only it were that easy.”

I nod, rubbing the back of my neck and fighting that familiar panic that tries to claw at me whenever I think too much about The Celestials. I turn to her, tapping her shoulder to get her attention before signing, What’s your plan? About The Celestials? When you get the information you want, what then?

Prudence sighs, chewing on the corner of her lip while she thinks. With a shrug, she says, “Honestly, I haven’t thought that far yet.” She shakes her head, her eyes glazing over like she’s recalling a painful memory. “My mom said a lot of things that never made sense, but if I’m right in my guessing… they really hurt her, Griffin. I won’t stop until they suffer for it.”

Without thinking, my hand comes up to rub the jagged scar on my throat as I work through a rough swallow. When Prudence looks at me again, I drop my hand, but she’s far too perceptive. It’s dangerous, I warn her yet again.

Prudence narrows her eyes, stepping closer and cautiously raising her hand to my neck. Her hazel eyes flick up from the scar to meet my gaze right as she brushes her fingers over the old wound. “They hurt you too?” she whispers, looking at my scar.

See? Perceptive. Everyone else bought the story about some intruder trying to break into our safe. Only a few of the elder members know the truth, and that’s because they’re the ones responsible.

Prudence bites her lip when I don’t reply, her fingers easing away from my neck. I grab her wrist before she’s gone, bringing her touch back. I nod in a silent answer, pressing my fingers over hers so we’re both touching the angry, raised skin.

Instead of pity or disgust, like I usually find when people see that mark on my neck, there’s understanding and rage burning in her eyes. “Then we don’t have a choice. They have to be dismantled and ruined before they can get their hands on anyone else,” she says, her voice hard as if her mind is beyond made up.

Again, I try to warn her, signing, You’re risking your life more than you know. You should run and leave Black Creek far behind. If she disappeared and anyone found out that I was the one who warned her, I’d probably get a knife to the throat again. And this time, I don’t think I’d survive it. But it feels like it’s her or me, and I can’t stand by in silence while she’s subjected to whatever the hell they have planned for her. I refuse to be that asshole who only looks out for himself.

She shakes away her emotions quickly, steeling her spine and lifting her chin. “That just means we have to work fast. I’m not going anywhere until I get some answers for my mom.”

Some drunk idiot bursts outside, and we both snap our gazes over to them as they stumble around, sloshing their drink all over themselves before hurling right there on the lawn.

Prudence huffs out a breath as she turns back to me. “Guess our time is up.” She chews on her lip, tugging on the hem of her long sleeve. “If you’re serious about doing this with me, then let’s plan to meet at the library a few times a week to sort everything out.”

It’s too public, anyone could be listening, I sign with a shake of my head.

Her lips curl up into a sly smile. “Not if we’re there after hours. We’ll be safe, Griffin.” She takes my hand before I can reply, giving me a reassuring squeeze. “Just trust me, like I’m trusting you. Please.”

I nod because what else can I do? I’m effectively sucked into Prudence’s gravity. I’d rather spend the next few weeks or months — however long I have — helping her take down The Celestials than sit by, following their orders and fucking hating myself for it.

I’ve chosen my path; it’s wherever she goes.

20

Prudence

All I want to do today is sleep in and pretend I didn’t have such a shitty night. From the moment I stepped foot into that party, everything went downhill. Between Creed and Asher, I was ready to start swinging my fists. Didn’t matter who the hell was in my way.

The only saving grace was Griffin. Everything about him feels safe and comforting, and it was easy to lean into his embrace and pretend the party wasn’t raging on without us. I think he’s turning out to be a friend. In fact, I really hope so. I could use one of those, especially if it’s someone who could help me with the damn stars — The Celestials he called them — and all the crap surrounding them.

As long as I can keep my attraction to Griffin under control. Let’s face it, he’s a giant, sexy bastard. But Creed taught me a valuable lesson last night: don’t bother. So it’s back to sticking my nose in books, getting answers, and focusing on anything except how horny I’ve been since my sexual awakening in the woods. At least if I’m going back on hiatus, I had a panty-melting first date that ended in fireworks.

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