Page 42 of Salem’s Fall (Dark Seasons Thriller #3)

I fumble for my cell phone as I race toward Strega’s Hollow, my fingers hovering over the keypad.

The most logical thing would be to alert the authorities that Maddie has been kidnapped, but can I really trust the Salem’s Fall police?

Everyone in this damn town either seems afraid of the Blackhollows or tangled up in their web.

But what other choice do I have? A bloodthirsty, dangerous cult has kidnapped my sister. I can’t do this alone, and isn’t this exactly what the police are supposed to handle? Protecting innocent people from monsters like the Veil?

I press the phone to my ear as the line rings, and a gruff voice answers on the other end.

“Salem’s Fall Police Department, Officer Wickerson speaking.”

I clear my throat. “This is James—James Woodsen. I met with Detective Harris a few days ago,” I say, my words coming out in a jumbled rush. “I need to speak with him. It’s an emergency.”

“Sorry, Detective Harris isn’t here,” the officer replies, already sounding disinterested. “Something I can help you with?”

“Please, listen to me. I have to speak with Detective Harris,” I say, my voice rising with desperation. “My sister’s been kidnapped. She’s at Strega’s Hollow. The Blackhollows took her and, uh, a group called the Veil. They’re planning to hurt her. They’ve done it before and?—”

“Ma’am,” he cuts in, clearly annoyed. “Is this some kind of Halloween prank?”

“No, it’s not a prank! My sister’s in real danger, and if you don’t help her, she’s going to die!”

The officer sighs audibly.

“Look, Miss, we get a lot of calls this time of year about spooky nonsense. Strega’s Hollow is off-limits tonight, and any trespassers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law,” he says with frustrating calm, like he’s reading from some kind of script.

“Now I suggest you go home and celebrate Halloween like everyone else.”

“No! Please, wait—!” I yell, but he’s already hung up on me.

My hands shake with frustration as I clutch the phone to my chest. Clearly, the police aren’t an option. My thoughts reel as I try to think about anyone else who might help, and then I remember my dad’s voicemail from the prison.

Maybe he’s not the man I always hoped he was, but still, he’s my father. He’s dealt with the Veil before. He could have advice for me.

I dial the prison and wait.

“Massachusetts Correctional Institution. How can I direct your call?”

“It’s James Woodsen,” I say, my voice strained. “I need to speak to my father, Thomas Woodsen.”

“Sorry, Miss, no personal calls after three p.m. Try again tomorrow during regular hours.”

“But it’s an emergency!” I clutch the phone tighter, desperation clawing up my throat. “Please, I’m begging you. It’s life or death!”

There’s silence, a beat too long, and then, “Hold on. I’ll see what I can do.”

I press my lips together, listening to the dead air for what feels like forever, and then I hear his voice.

“James?”

“Daddy,” I say, the ache in my chest making my voice crack.

“James, listen to me,” he says, his voice filled with urgency. “You shouldn’t be anywhere near Salem’s Fall tonight. I’ve been digging in more, researching things from over here. There’s something about today… about Halloween. It’s too dangerous?—”

“Yes, I know, it’s called Veil Night. But, Dad, I can’t leave.” I blink back the tears burning at the edges of my eyes. “It’s Maddie… she’s been taken. The Veil is going to sacrifice her!”

There’s a sharp intake of breath on the other end.

“They have Madison? Oh God, no… ” His voice trembles, guilt spilling through every word. “This is all my fault. If only I hadn’t?— ”

“Dad, stop!” I shout, fighting to keep my emotions under control. “That’s in the past. I need you right now. Please, there’s got to be something you can tell me that’ll help. We have to get her back!”

I can almost feel him through the phone, struggling with his own thoughts.

“One thing I know, don’t trust anyone connected to the Veil. They’ll do anything to keep their secrets. It doesn’t matter what they tell you, not even if you think they’re on your side,” he says, his voice raw. “Not even Damien Blackhollow—especially not him.”

“I figured that part out already, trust me,” I say through gritted teeth.

“There’s more,” he says, his tone shifting, uncertain, like he’s working through something in real time. “There’s something I missed about these rituals. A piece I still don’t understand…”

The line falls silent again, and I can almost hear his mind working. My dad’s always been good at puzzles, at piecing things together. It’s why he excelled at his IT job—finding hidden patterns, spotting errors in the code.

“The ritual… the knife wouldn’t take my life, but why did it take your mother?

We were both willing to die for our family.

So why her, not me?” His breath shakes as he swallows hard.

“I missed something, James. There must be more to the ritual. Something we don’t yet know.

” He pauses. “If they have Madison, it’s for a reason.

But I don’t think it’s for what you fear.

I don’t think it’s Madison they’re truly after… ”

A static-like tension hums between us.

“I’m so sorry. I wish I was there with you—that I could do more.

” His breath shudders through the line, his voice cracking.

I can feel his guilt like a weight in the air between us.

“If I could take it all back, I would. I’m a terrible father, but please know, I only ever wanted what was best for our family. ”

“Dad”—my voice shakes—“I forgive you, okay? I need you to know that.”

“I don’t deserve it, but thank you, James,” he says. “I love you.”

The call ends, leaving only silence and the cold weight of our conversation settling over me. A chill snakes down my spine as I put the car in park and look up.

I’ve arrived at Strega’s Hollow.