Page 24

“We need to change course. Eva’s behavior today makes it evident that she would prefer death to living.”

Peering at me, my brother’s eyes narrow to slits. “So,” Colter retorts. “That should mean we’re in agreement. She wants to die, and we want her dead. Amercykilling. We’ll push her over the edge into?—”

“No,” I snap, cutting him off. “That’s too fucking easy. AndEva Rose Piercedoesn’t get easy—ever.”

Colter hums his understanding, and the tight set of his shoulders begins to relax. “What do you have in mind?”

Inhaling, I cut the last portion of my care for the girl we knew from my heart. Then I turn my head slowly and meet Colter’s gaze before I state, “We make her want to live.”

He looks puzzled, not impressed with my plan. “Why the hell would we do that, Coop? She doesn’t get off. Fuck that.”

Smirking, I wait for him to finish whining. “Did I say she was getting off? Or did I say we make her want to live?”

The furrow in his brows deepens in confusion. “What?”

“We make her live,” I repeat, enjoying the annoyance on his face before I continue. “We make her want to live, give her a reason to fight.” My smile grows. “Then we rip it all away, leaving her scattered pieces on the ground as we step over what’s left of her.”

I watch as Colter registers my plan—each moment bringing new life to his demeanor, and I know he’s in. “So we’ll push her right into our arms?”

“Yes,” I confirm, turning off the engine and pulling the door open to exit. “We’ll make her life a hellscape so that only we can bring it peace.”

“And she’ll let her guard down enough for the damaging blow,” Colter quips gleefully.

Stepping on the sidewalk in front of our condo, I arm the car. “Then we’ll make her pray for hell because it will be far kinder to her than we will.”

10

eva

“Eva.”I rouse at the sound of my name being called.“Eva.”It’s crisper this time and I spring up, recognizing her.

“Fah,” I murmur into the darkness of my bedroom, my voice still raw from crying, but there’s no response.

You’re dreaming again.

Shaking my head clear, I switch on the light and lower my blanket to examine my skin. I scold myself, angry that I still succumb to the urge to self-harm. The cuts are deeper than usual for me, but there are no signs of dried blood.

My nose scrunches in confusion. The area is clean. I quickly take stock of my surroundings. My sheets have been changed, and the towel I was wrapped in has been replaced by sleep shorts and a tank. I try to recollect when I woke up to do all of this.

“Evie.”

I freeze at the sound of Farrah’s voice. All earlier musings, long forgotten… cast into the darkest depths of my mind, safe from hurting me.

“Evie.” This time, I hear the melodic timbre that once was uniquely my best friend’s.

Stop it, Eva. You’re losing it.

That thought doesn’t stop me, though. Shutting my eyes, I call out, “Fah?” I call out, unsure if I want her to reply. Old tales of never responding when your name is called and you know you’re alone skitter across my mind.

“Eva Rose. Where are you?”

My throat tightens, temporarily paralyzing me. I know it’s not her. She’s gone, I try to reason with myself.

Have I lost so much blood that I’m still passed out, and this is some fever dream?

No.I can feel the cool air kiss my skin, causing goosebumps to run up my spine. So, I know I’m not unconscious.

“Evie,” Farrah giggles, and moisture fills my eyes. That sound… the one I believed I’d never hear again, fills the room, eviscerating my battle to maintain my composure. Warm, salty tears stream down my cheeks in rivulets.