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Should’ve thought about that before you ruined my life and dragged me into this mess! God, I wish I could just smack that smug look off your face!

Sabbath chuckled. “Try to keep those thoughts to yourself, spitfire.” My eyes widened.

Did he just read my mind? I blinked. Good. Maybe then he’ll realize I wasn’t going to let this go.

“Uh, you’re really not going to drop this, are you?

” He looked over his shoulder at me, and I shook my head.

“I swear.” He rubbed his face and groaned.

“The masks signify the position each family holds within The Order. Plague doctors have the highest rank and represent higher positions. They’re typically worn by the descendants of the sacred thirteen, whereas mere followers of our beliefs wear the skulls of beasts to represent their devotion to nature and The Redwood itself.

Sadly, there aren’t many plague doctors left.

Over time, bloodlines died out and only a few of the original bloodlines remain. ”

“Such as yours.”

He nodded. “The Sequoya bloodline, yes. Not Batista. My father’s unfortunately died with him.”

My brows furrowed in confusion. “But your blood is part his?”

He shook his head. “Not in our world. As for what they were doing, well, I’m afraid I can’t share that.”

I scoffed. “Why not?”

Sabbath licked his lips and smiled. “Because if I tell you, you’ll try to stop us.” Us? “And I’m afraid I can’t let you do that. It’s nothing personal, Rosie, it’s just the way things are.” He didn’t make any sense.

What the hell could those people be doing in that cavern? He mentioned sacrifices, but there wasn’t anything like that going on. What was it Foster had said earlier? It was so odd and out of place?

“Wait.” Sabbath eyed me closely. “Earlier today, when Solomon fell into the fire, Foster mentioned something. He said they were even. Solomon and The Redwood.”

Sabbath groaned. “He shouldn’t have used the Sapling. It’s too much for someone his age. It was too risky.” He rubbed his face. “Our mother was furious.”

“Your mother?” Sabbath eyed me. “Your mother is here?”

Sabbath grabbed my arm. “Come on. We need to get back.”

“No!” I yanked my arm away. “I have so many questions!”

“Well, I’m not going to answer them! Now, let’s go!”

I tried to think quickly on my feet. “If you won’t answer any more questions, then tell me this.” Sabbath made a face. “What did Foster mean when he said blood had been spilled, so now they can begin?”

His face went white as a ghost. “He said that?” I nodded. “Fuck,” he whispered under his breath.

“What did he mean?” I asked again.

“That damn kid.” Sabbath shook his head and exhaled heavily with a smile.

“You already know. It’s as the rumors say, Rosie.

” He stood and grabbed the axe. “Every ten years, people go missing in these woods. Eventually, they all turn up. Dead.” He flashed his canines.

“Since you’re so damn curious. Can you guess how many die? ”

My stomach twisted as I recalled Solomon and Nurse B’s words. The rumors of this camp, they weren’t just rumors. The totems, the Sapling, the murders. It was all true. And Solomon said six people died ten years ago. Which meant six people were going to die.

“Oh my God.” I covered my mouth.

“That’s right.” Sabbath brushed his long hair back.

“Every ten years, six lucky people are chosen to die as our gift to The Redwood. A sacrifice made to continue the protection over all our members. And now that Foster has come of age, as heir to The Order, he was to start this year’s sacrifice by spilling the first blood of the chosen.

” He leaned down and grabbed my face. “Care to guess which lucky six have been picked?” Tears rolled down my cheeks as he watched me.

I knew exactly who they were. “I guess you got your answers after all.”

“You’re sick, Sabbath.” I choked on the words. “All of you.”

His face darkened. “ Us . You’re a member of The Order too, Rosie.

The same pact made long ago is sealed within my blood.

Our blood. It’s time to stop running, spitfire.

Fate brought you here to Camp Redwood. How else do you explain both our presence here at the same time as the ritual?

It’s written in our destiny. You’re meant to be here, to partake in the ritual we must all perform. ”

No.

“Yes,” he growled, as his grip tightened around my face.

“I saved you once, but now that you know everything, there is no turning back. You made your bed, now it’s time to lie in it.

” Sabbath roughly released my jaw. “I told you to stay away from the counselors. I told you to stop asking questions, but you just couldn’t let it go.

” He twirled the axe in his hand. “The six have been chosen. The Order is coming for them, Rosie. And we will claim them, with or without you.”

“You can’t do this, Sabbath. I won’t let you!”

He laughed. “It's too late. The heir has begun the ritual and blood has already been spilled. This ritual is happening, Rosie. And there’s nothing you can do to stop it.”

I swallowed, and my throat burned from crying. “I’ll tell them. I’ll tell everyone!”

Sabbath ruptured into laughter. “Do you really think that’s going to do anything?

Go ahead! Tell them! Half of them won’t believe a word you say.

And those who do won't just leave because some vagrant tells them too!” His words stung.

“It won’t change anything. You are just one person.

And there are hundreds of us hiding in these woods.

The Order is always watching.” He tilted his head.

“Do you think we’re alone out here? Right now?

” I looked around. “We’re not. There’s always someone watching.

Always someone hiding in the shadows and ready to do what must be done.

Do you think you’re the first person to try to stop us?

To stand in our way of salvation? You’re not.

And just like those before you, if you try to stop us, you will fail.

” His nostrils flared. “The Order is bred and raised to do anything we must to protect The Redwood and serve him. Every single member is more than willing to sacrifice themselves to protect our faith. So go ahead, tell them. Because the only thing you’d be doing is killing them sooner than planned.

And in the end, we still get exactly what we want.

What The Redwood wants.” I slowly stood and walked up to him.

He gently grazed my face and played with my hair.

“Or you can stop running and finally do what you swore to do all those years ago.” Sabbath stepped closer, and his breath hit my face.

“What do you say, spitfire? Are you ready to set your soul free and join me in the darkness?”

I spat at his feet and dropped his jacket. “Go to hell, Sabbath.” His face hardened. I shoved past him and quickly stomped away in the direction of camp.

Sabbath yelled after me. “Don’t you get it? I’m already there!”

So am I.