Page 3

For a moment, the screen stays on read with no response. Just that alone makes the pit in my stomach grow even tighter.

Luke Lannister

...

Do you mean Dupire?

I pull up my other screen to confirm.

Yes.

Yep. I know her. Why do you ask?

Do you know her because of her classes or because of The Order?

Again, the communication stops for a moment. Honestly, that’s really all the confirmation I need. Fuck. I thought The Order was out of our business. Now, here I am again, stuck in the middle of whatever damn issues that secret society has.

She’s not in the order, if that’s what you’re asking. But she’s from my neck of the woods. Is something wrong?

I’m not sure yet. Thanks.

Hey. If there’s an issue with The Order, I can always go down there and settle it.

No way in hell am I allowing him to do that. There’s already been too much death associated with that damned society.

I’ll handle it. Could be nothing anyway. You have Shelaine and the baby to think about.

Got it. I’m here if you need me.

A disgruntled sigh slips through my lips as I pull up my contacts and call the one person I thought I’d be able to avoid for a bit longer.

“John,” Louis, the head of The Order of Ravens and Wolves, growls over the phone. “What do I owe the pleasure?”

“I just need to know one thing. Is there a problem between us?”

“Not to my knowledge. As long as Luke stays up there, everything should be fine. But I’m assuming there’s an issue. Because why else would you call?”

“Marnie Dupire.”

Just like with Luke, there’s a pause. Each breath that expels from his lips and brushes against the phone just cranks up that twist of dread that threatens to turn my insides into a constricted mess.

“I know the girl. What seems to be the problem?”

“We’ve had a murder on campus, and now she’s not in class. It has me very concerned.”

His dark chuckle floods the speaker. “She couldn’t kill anyone. She’s a meek little mouse.”

Irritation rolls down my spine at his attempt at a joke. “I’m not saying she did. But she’s not here and I have a dead guy. Coincidence?”

“Must be. As I’ve said. As long as Luke stays up there with you in New York, my boys will keep to themselves. What concerns me most is that you’ve somehow allowed a student of yours to go missing. But no worries. We’ll keep an eye out for her. Little mice have a way of finding themselves back home. Don’t worry about her for another moment.”

My jaw clenches as I grit my teeth tight enough I’m sure I’ll crack a molar. “I will have your word that you or your family are not here creating mayhem. The Society has continued to keep Luke safe and out of harm’s way. I suggest you keep that in the back of your mind.”

“Are you threatening me, John?” he bites out. “I don’t take kindly to being threatened. I’ve told you we have no issue, but your disrespect will make an issue if you continue to push it. Forget about Marnie. Any collateral damage that might have happened surrounding her has nothing to do with you.”

My knees threaten to buckle as he all but admits they’re all connected. At least I can give myself some plausible deniability when it comes to this murder. He didn’t say they did it, but the way he crafted his words at least gives me the illusion of an answer.

Not that it really helps matters at all. A murder is still a murder, after all. Eventually, I might have to come up with an answer that satisfies other inquiries.