Page 55 of Blackwood

Wes slides an arm around my waist. “You okay, babe?”

I force a smile. “I’m just tired.”

We’re halfway to the lot laughing about something Ellie just said when I see him.

Tex. Leaning against a blacked-out SUV. He doesn’t smile. Doesn’t move. Just looks at me. I stop walking.

“Bella. Who is that?” Wes asks.

Tex pushes off the car and walks toward me slow. Controlled.

“Zeke’s gone.”

♥♥♥

Health class at St. Lyra’s had taught us that the brain protects itself from shock. Slows things down. Muffles sound. Pulls the world away so it doesn’t hit you all at once.

Clinical.

Predictable.

Biological.

And that’s exactly what’s happening to me. Everything blurs. The parking lot, trees, Ellie’s boots on pavement. It’s like I’ve been dropped to the bottom of the ocean. Tex’s mouth moves, but the words don’t reach me.

A golden blur drops into my vision, screaming. I can’t hear. I can’t see. I can’t feel.

“Bella! Babe, snap out of it! Oh my God.” Ellie’s face comes into view, ocean-blue eyes wide and wet.

“Let’s sit her down,” Knox says.

“No,” my voice cracks. “I’m fine.”

I blink through the fog, tears stinging. “Tex, what do you mean Zeke’s gone?”

His eyes drop, jaw locked tight, but never looks away. “Chicago, last night,” his voice is rough. “Ivan’s tip must’ve been bad. We thought the warehouse was clear.”

Something in me breaks. “What happened?”

“There was an explosion.”

I shake my head before he finishes. “No.”

“Zeke was inside,” he says quietly. “Running point.”

My knees buckle. Knox grabs me and holds me tighter.

“But you, h-h-how did you and Nate get out?”

“I was in the sky. Far enough out I didn’t catch the blast.” He hesitates. “Nate wasn’t as lucky. The van took a hit. He’ll live. Really banged up, but alive. Chicago General.”

Nate’s alive.

And Zeke. Zeke isn’t.

“We were set up, Bells.” His voice cracks just enough to make my heart lurch. “I don’t know if it was Ivan. Someone else. Maybe both. But it wasn’t a mistake. Someone didn’t want us leaving Chicago alive.”

“He’s dead?”