Page 211 of Entangled

Jasper looked shaken to his core.

He was still struggling to find his composure when I left, and as much as I would have liked to stay and comfort him, I still have one more dangerous beast to hunt tonight.

One major problem, however, is that I have no clue where Jaykob is right now.

The bonfire is still a fiery typhoon in the middle of the lawn—Dom and Jada are circling the fire. They’re both urging people back from the flames, keeping an eye on the burn. The music is pumping in beat-heavy dance music, and the lawn is littered with dancing women, drinking women, women grouped together and chatting atop blankets.

But no Jaykob.

Sloane, Ava, Jennifer, Ida, Ethel, and Kasey are still on the raised platform he was on earlier, though. Maybe they know where he is.

Nerves swirl through my stomach.

Jennifer hasn’t spoken to me again all week after she ripped into me like a protective jackal for betraying Jayk—and I have no idea what he might have said while he was out with Sloane and the others.

It doesn’t matter. I have to try.

“Good luck, darlin’. I’ll be right here if you need me,” Beau says, and I nod briskly.

Bracing myself, I walk up to the platform only to find that there’s a ladder to get up. I sigh, then carefully climb up. It wrecks terrible havoc on the thick plug inside me, which has become almost painful in my overused body. I grit my teeth until I finally reach the top.

“Eden!” Ava calls cheerfully, and I give her an uncertain look.

A warm chorus of welcomes follows.Toowelcome.

This is suspicious. It is suspicious, isn’t it?

“Hello everyone.” I smile stiffly, hoping against hope I don’t look as sweaty and... sticky... as I’m starting to feel. I should be scalded in cleansing fire before talking toanyone, but I can’t bring myself to waste any more time. “Would you happen to know where Jaykob went?”

Sloane hoots and slaps Jennifer. “Yes! Pay up, half your rations. The plan worked. She’s jealous and desperate for his di?—”

“Delightful company!” Jennifer interrupts, looking meaningfully at Kasey, who rolls her eyes. “And I’m not paying up yet. Eden, tell me—are you going for smooches or to yell at him?”

She gives me a tipsy, evaluating look.

I stare at them from the top of the ladder, flummoxed. Why are they all being nice to me? The moonlight is silver-white over Bristlebrook, like the heavens hung a chandelier just for this night. The women are sprawled over the barricade, loose and relaxed. There’s a deck of cards strewn between them, and Ida drops her hand with a sigh.

“I—” I stammer. “I haven’t decided yet. Possibly both?”

Ava frowns, her short hair ruffling in the breeze. “Who gets rations for both? Did anyone bet on that?”

Ethel lifts a wrinkled hand from where she’s lying back, watching the stars. “That would be me.”

Ida grumbles, adjusting her shawl over her shoulders.

“He’s out checking people aren’t getting close to the pit traps. He wouldn’t let me come,” Kasey says with a sour look. Then she frowns at me worriedly. “Be nice to him, okay? He showered and shaved and dressed up for you and everything. He just wants you to like him best.”

Her serious features tell me that she wants that too.

Wait, what does she meanbest?

At my hesitant look, Sloane nods at me. “He told us that you were with all of them.” She shrugs. “Honestly explained a lot.”

Theyknow?

Startled, I blink. “Jayk told you that? He had an actual, real conversation with you?”

“Sure, we’re friends.” Sloane shrugs, like it’s nothing.

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