Page 27 of Wolf Cursed
“Y’all kids be careful,” Oscar called.
Idrissa just laughed, which only scared me a little. It should have scared me a lot.
Chapter Seven
Idrissa drove. A fact that didn’t seem to actually upset Isaac so much as give him a reason to talk shit to his twin from the backseat. “I can sit in the back,” I said, trying to make peace, but Isaac waved me off.
“Nah, I just like to give Idrissa a hard time.”
“He’s a better backseat driver than an actual driver,” Idrissa said with a smirk as she revved the engine and slingshotted us into traffic.
I gripped the armrest, knuckles white, as she zipped around slower cars on our way through downtown.
Finally, Idrissa shot me a sideways look.
“You okay?” she asked.
“Is Isaac really a worse driver than you?” I asked.
Isaac snorted from the backseat.
Idrissa scowled. “I’m a fantastic driver,” she said gravely.
This time, I snorted.
“Fast and fantastic are not the same,” I told her, which only made Isaac openly cackle.
“I’ve never been in an accident,” Idrissa said, her tone haughty though I could see the amusement in her eyes.
“But how many have you caused?” Isaac shot back.
“Bite me,” she said, and we all cracked up.
Just ahead, I spotted a group of people my age crowded around a music store. Music blared from inside loud enough for those on the sidewalk to move to the beat. A blonde girl shouted something and grinned, lifting what looked like a beer high above her head as she danced up on some guy.
“So,” I said, “What’s the actual deal with this town, anyway? Oscar acts like I need an escort for my own safety.” I almost mentioned Kai’s warnings but decided against it. Those felt more…personal. Like he was trying to protect the town from me instead of the other way around.
Idrissa’s eyes flicked to the rearview as she and Isaac exchanged a look.
“Is there a gang of pedophiles or serial killers nearby or something?” I asked, half-joking. But Idrissa didn’t laugh, which only made the question sound super dark and kinda scary.
“What the hell, guys?” I said warily.
“Okay,” Idrissa said as we came to a lurching stop at a red light. “Isaac and I have decided to make you a deal.”
“What kind of deal?” I asked, instantly wary.
Deals were for gamblers and loan sharks and people like Vorack. I didn’t want to do any deals.
“We’ll show you around Ridley Falls. If you promise not to talk to anyone but us.”
“Okay,” I said, drawing out the word as confusion replaced suspicion.
“It’s for your own safety,” she added then frowned.
“Are you saying talking to people puts me in danger?” I asked, my thoughts flitting to Kai. Talking to him certainly felt risky.
“Danger’s a strong word. It’s for your own good,” she amended.
