Page 43 of East (The Moral Compass 3)

“Hey.”

“Zed, you need to look into an herb called worm something. The doctors have found some in my blood, and they think I was drugged, which also means you could have been, too.”

“East, slow down. Worm what?”

“I don’t know. The nurse said it so fast I couldn’t understand, but she said it can make you do stupid things. Things like getting married.”

“Do you mean Wormwood?”

“Maybe, I think that might have been it, but it leaves one question. Who? Who would have done this?”

At the same time, we both say, “Margarite.”

“But why? Why would she do that to us?” I ask.

“She could have thought I was Drake, I suppose, but she knew as soon as she saw me in the casino that I wasn’t my brother.”

“Then, why?”

“I don’t know, but I am going to find out. I’ll send Kara back to you for a bit, and North and I are going to find this interfering old biddy and find out what her bloody game is. Death threats against my brother are one thing, but nearly killing you is another thing altogether. Get some rest. Kara will be with you soon.” And then the phone goes dead.

I’ve noticed that Zed never says goodbye; he just cuts the call. Weird.

I close my eyes and try to rest like everyone keeps telling me, but the memories of that night are coming back really strong. Unless my mind is playing tricks on me, I now remember everything clearly. Too clearly.

I remember one incy-wincy, teeny-weeny, tiny piece of information that I think I’ll keep to myself for now.

When I open my eyes, four hours have passed, and Kara is sitting in the chair next to me.

“Thank God you’re awake. I was getting so bored. Sutton and West have been texting non-stop, and I’ve run out of ways to say you’re okay.” She laughs.

“You didn’t need to come and babysit me, you know.”

“I know I didn’t but to be truthful, those two are like having this major competition about who can find that Margarite woman first.” She rolls her eyes then shakes her head. “I know it’s vital she’s found, but, like, they are going for it as if it’s the Olympics. The male hormones are on fire. I was relieved to get out of there.”

“When you come back, can you bring my laptop? I want to help. I know I can’t leave here yet, but I can work from here easily.”

“Zed said he’s coming later. I’ll text him and ask him to bring it with him.”

“It’s okay. You can tell him not to bother. He’s better off doing what he does best.”

“East, is everything okay?”

“Yeah, apart from me being stuck in here and my arm feeling like it’s been set on fire twice. Everything’s peachy, why?”

“Why don’t you want to see Zed?” she asks softly.

“I don’t know. I just don’t. It’s more important that he finds Margarite and finds out who is threatening his brother.”

“East, you’re important, too, you know?”

“I do know. I am so important to my brothers they even hire me friends. Kara, honestly, I am fine, but I’ve decided when I get out of here, I’m going home to New York. I am finding my own apartment and going my own way.”

“What about Zed?”

“What about him?”

“You’re married to him. He’s your husband.”

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