Page 131 of A Taste of Torment
“I have something to do, but I want this delivered to Jarron.”
They eye my purple journal.
“I should probably tell you the reason we fought, ’cause it’ll be everywhere too.” They deserve to know. “I, uh, well I told you my sister died this summer. I didn’t tell you that she was murdered.”
They gasp, but I continue past their shocked expressions to get this out.
“She was secretly dating a powerful supernatural here at this school. I found out when I read her journal. I don’t know who. That’s the only reason I enrolled here—to find him. Because no one else was going to give my sister the justice she deserved. I was going to do it.”
“Oh my god, Candice,” Lola whispers. She sits on Janet’s shoulder, and they lean in to listen to the rest of my story.
“I knew it was a high level supernatural. Probably a demon because Liz talked about becoming powerful through a bond in her journal.” I wave my hand, trying to rush through all the finer details.
“Jarron?” Lola whispers. “Do you think it was Jarron?”
My lips part. “Not anymore. I have no doubts about him now. He doesn’t know that, of course. He—” I shake my head. “Jarron knew that I was here to search for the killer. He was helping me. But he didn’t know I considered him a suspect. He found out this morning.”
They gasp. “That’s why you broke up?” Janet whispers.
I nod.
They watch me, expressions a mix of incredulity and concern. The charged silence stretches for a few more moments before Janet’s gaze turns sharp. “Is something else going on? You said you had to do something?”
I press my lips together and lie out of my teeth.
“I need to finish up my potions.” I resist the urge to look down at my bag full of my finished potions. “Honestly, I really just need some time alone. I’m really glad you guys found me, though. Can we—can we plan to hang out tomorrow?” My heart gives a squeeze. Will there be a tomorrow for me?
“Yes. Of course. You sure you’re okay?”
I nod, maybe too quickly. Can they tell I’m freaking out? Probably. But will they assume it’s because of Jarron, or do they suspect something more?
I hold up the journal again. “Can you deliver this to him, though?” Is it too much to ask they go to Elite Hall?
“Of course.”
“Can you wait like fifteen minutes?”
They both frown. That does sound a little strange, doesn’t it? But if I let them rush to give it to him, he might get it too fast.
“He’s, uh, in a meeting right now.” Best excuse I could come up with to cover why I want them to wait.
They narrow their eyes at me. But then. Janet reaches out and takes the journal from my outstretched hands. “Yeah, of course. You sure you’re okay?”
“Thanks. I love you guys. I… never tell you how much I appreciate you enough. I really thought I’d hate it here, but you made it feel like home.”
“Aww, we love you too, babe.” Lola wiggles.
Janet’s expression doesn’t change. She’s still examining me like a puzzle to be solved. “We’ll see you tomorrow, right?”
“Yep. We can meet in the morning.”
Her shoulders finally relax, and I take a step back.
“Thank you,” I say one last time and then turn on my heel and head back the other way. I try to keep my same level of confidence as I head toward the most dangerous situation I’ve ever put myself in.
I’m going to face my enemies—my sister’s killers—in moments. I don’t know if I’m ready, but I need to be.
I will be.
