Page 156 of Tag

A soft voice carried from somewhere off-screen.

“Hey, I’ve gotta get downstairs. Me and Gran are about to play spades,” Roxxi said suddenly.

“Aww, that sounds fun.” I forced a smile. “I know she’s gonna outdrink you within two hours, too.”

Cade let out a reverent sound. “That woman is a legend. A beautiful one.”

Roxxi made a face so dramatic I nearly snorted. “Cade, don’t make it weird. You’re not fucking my gran.”

“Not with that attitude,” he shot back.

Roxxi ended the call with a middle finger aimed at him, but her tone softened just before the screen went dark. “I’ll check in tomorrow. Love you, assholes. And you too, Sanj.”

“Love you too,” I murmured, already sagging into the seat.

I leaned back and let my head rest against the window. The hum of the truck and the blurred lights of Hemlock drifted past in silence.

“You don’t have anything to worry about, Sass,” Ryder reminded me quietly.

My gaze stayed fixed on the glass. I didn’t answer out loud. He wouldn’t agree with what I was thinking anyway. I was starting to believe all of us should be worried, especially the ones with secrets sharp enough to bleed.

.

Ryder pulled into the long, curved drive nearly twenty minutes later, headlights sweeping across the lion statues that flanked the entrance to the Voss estate. The automatic gates had already begun to open, recognizing his truck before he even slowed.

He parked near the far end of one of the garages, tucked away from the front where guests usually entered. A few soft amber lights glowed from between the columns of the mainhouse, casting warm reflections across the cascading fountain at the center of the circular drive. Beyond it, just across the street and barely visible through the skeletal branches of the trees lining the sidewalk, I could make out the dark outline of my home.

We always ended up staying in the pool house when we got in late. I stretched as I climbed out of the truck, rolling my shoulders until my spine gave a quiet pop. Ryder grabbed my bags and one of his own without a word. I trailed after him, Cade a step behind. The path wove around the edge of the main house, past the stone-paved outdoor kitchen. The fire pit was off, and the seating area looked untouched, barstools tucked perfectly beneath the marble counter like no one had ever sat there.

Water lapped gently from the heated pool, steam curling in slow tendrils across the surface. The glow from the recessed lights shimmered off the mist, and the cascading rock waterfall added a soft rhythm to the silence between us. A breeze rustled through the brittle branches of the maples and stirred the thick blue spruce shielding the yard from the street.

The backyard looked like something out of a resort catalog. At its edge stood where we would be staying for the night. Cade reached the door first and flipped the lights on with the ease of someone who knew every switch by heart. Warmth greeted us instantly with the scent of vanilla and cinnamon, subtle but rich. Their mom had clearly passed through recently. A few burnt-orange velvet pumpkins sat neatly along the windowsill, and a plaid throw was draped over the back of the sectional like autumn had unpacked and moved in.

The layout was open-concept and luxury modern, with vaulted ceilings and dark-stained beams arching high above us. To the left, a plush ivory wraparound couch faced a massive flat screen mounted above a sleek black fireplace. Adjacent to it sat two game tables—pool and shuffleboard—both custom-builtin matte black with natural wood finishes. The kitchen lined the back wall, all white oak and matte black accents, anchored by a large island and barstools perfect for late-night snacks or post-swim breakfasts. There were three bathrooms in total: one just off the main living space, another attached to the single bedroom, and the third, a beautiful, enclosed outdoor garden shower.

Cade stretched with a satisfied groan and turned to his brother. “You wanna shower in here? I’ll take the outside one.”

“Doesn’t matter,” Ryder replied, bending beside me to untie his sneakers. I slipped mine off too, lining them neatly near the shoe bench.

We all headed into the bedroom to grab clean clothing. I made a pit stop and dropped my phone and Ryder’s jacket onto the bed before joining them. The closet off to the side was spacious, always fully stocked. This had been our go-to since middle school, between games, parties, and everything else. The boys moved with familiar ease, pulling open drawers and grabbing changes of clothes like muscle memory. Cade snagged a Crowsfell tee and sweatpants. Ryder pulled out a charcoal shirt, matching flannel joggers, and a fresh pair of socks and drawers. There wasn’t any small talk. Only quiet, shared glances and the comfort of people who’d done this a hundred times before.

Cade nudged me with his elbow when they were on their way out. “Closet’s all yours, Little Sanj.”

I smiled faintly as they disappeared.

Once they were gone, I crossed to my usual drawer and opened it. The grin came instantly. My mom had come over and swapped out more of my summer things. Right on top was my favorite fall set, soft ribbed pajamas printed with pumpkins and little dancing Snoopys, folded so perfectly it made my chestache. I couldn’t wait to see her and Dad. Sometimes, no matter how old you are, you just need your parents.

I scooped everything I needed into my arms, pressing the top to my chin so nothing slipped as I walked toward the bathroom. I was ready to wash off the day and finally breathe without the weight of someone watching me do it.

The hot water helped.

I scrubbed every layer of the day from my skin, let the steam ease the tightness in my shoulders, and closed my eyes for longer than I probably should have. For the first time in hours, I felt like I had a moment that belonged only to me. When I finally stepped out of the bathroom, towel-drying my face with one hand, my toothbrush tucked away and hair twisted into a lazy top bun, the rest of the world felt quieter.

I padded through the bedroom, the electric fire crackling in the corner adding another familiar comfort I hadn’t realized I’d missed. Ryder and Cade would shower and crash like always, staking their claim on the oversized wraparound couch. The bed had always been mine. Even after various remodels over the years and sleek upgrades, stone finishes, underlit shelving, and a ridiculously plush rug that felt like walking on clouds.

I crossed the room slowly, eyes drifting to the wide windows along the far wall. They looked out onto the trees behind the Voss estate—tall, silent, unmoving. Nothing stirred out there. No lights. No signs of life. I reached for the cord on the long drapes and tugged them closed. It wasn’t quite fear that drove my actions, but unease. I knew no Huntsmen were lurking in Ryder’s backyard, but something inside me still bristled like I was being watched.

I crossed back through the room and paused at the bedroom door, fingers brushing the frame. For a moment, I considered leaving it wide open in case Ryder or Cade needed something or wanted to talk, but that felt presumptuous. Maybe they’d want asecond to decompress. To just be with each other. I cracked the door instead. A quiet compromise.

---