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“Hey.” Damian’s voice is a whisper now. “You don’t have to be afraid.I’mhere.”

A deep, distant part of me recognizes that his words ought to be funny. The Devil is trying to comfort me. If I weren’t so afraid, I’d probably mock him for it, wouldn’t I?

I can’t. That version of Ava doesn’t exist out here in this grove. With this blindfold on.

This isn’t me. But for Rhett’s life—for any life—I’ll be whoever I have to be.

There’s a shuffling sound, the scrape of a match being struck, and the faint glow of fire pierces the darkness behind my blindfold.

“Remove it,” Damian commands.

The fabric is yanked away, and I blink rapidly. The sudden light from the bonfire stings my eyes. As my vision adjusts, the faces of the four men come into focus.

Kane is the first to catch my attention. Firelight shines off the blade of the knife he twirls in his hand.

I jerk against the ropes instinctively, my wrists straining against the coarse bindings. A thousand thoughts crash through my head.

Why does he have that? Is he going to use it?

Damian steps forward. “That’s for the rope, Ava. And if he even nicks your pretty skin when he cuts you free, I’ll slit his throat.

His words are not reassuring. The calm, measured way he says them makes my skin crawl.

These people are crazy.

Kane’s grin widens. “It might be worth it.”

“Shut up,” Damian snaps. “He’s just trying to scare you. He can’t do anything without my permission. Remember that.”

“And I’m watching him,” Hunter says. “If he makes any quick movements, he’ll be on the ground before he can blink.”

I let out a long, shaky sigh before smiling faintly at Hunter. Somehow, his words are comforting. I only know him by reputation on campus, but the rumors say he’s calm, collected, and very smart.

Damian narrows his eyes at me. “You trust him but not me?”

Hunter turns to Damian, frowning in what looks like disbelief, but Damian doesn’t seem to notice.

I raise my chin. “Yes.”

Damian’s eyes flash. He takes a step in my direction, but Asher blocks his way.

“Chill, Damian. Jesus.” Asher’s charming smile is wildly incongruent with the circumstances. He crouches in front of me, his dark eyes studying my face. “This is just a little hazing. Nothing to worry about.”

“Hazing?” My voice shakes despite my best efforts to sound steady. “I think all of this is illegal.”

As soon as the words are out, I recognize how silly they sound. Of course they all know this is illegal. Did I think Damian and Kane were the only crazy ones? Just because Hunter and Asher seem more sane, it doesn’t mean they aren’t criminals.

Asher laughs. “You’re very sweet, Ava. And I’m so sorry you had to be dragged into this.” He turns to Damian. “I’m sorry our fearless leader is obsessed with you.”

Damian doesn’t react. Oh God, is he actually obsessed with me?

Insane as he is, it probably means he’s obsessed with killing me. Maybe he has some vendetta against Rhett? And now he’s trying to torture me to punish him.

No, that’s crazy. I’m spiraling. The most likely explanation is the simple one. The one I heard from Damian’s own lips the night he talked to Rhett. He wants me for some kind of cult ritual—one so secret he can’t even tell Rhett. He promised he wouldn’t hurt me, that he would get bored with me, and Rhett could comfort me afterward.

It might have all been a lie, but I’m going to take it. Damian doesn’t seem like much of a liar. He’s too arrogant for that. Why should he have to deceive to get what he wants when he’s the king of the world?

“Alright.” Asher smiles. “We just have a few questions.”