Page 105 of Twisted Truths

“I did, but my agent called an hour ago. I couldn’t sleep after.”

She pulls back slightly to look at me. “Is everything okay?”

“Everything’s fine,” I assure her, resting my forehead against hers.

Her hands drift to the locket around her neck as she her gaze drifts between me and Gabriel before landing on the drawings in front of us.

“What’s all this?”

“A plan.”

I scowl at him, still not happy at putting Hadley in danger, though I know taking her with us makes sense. One, because leaving her behind makes her vulnerable, and two, she and Gabriel know the layout of the property, while I don’t.

Doesn’t mean I have to like it.

Hadley extricates herself from me and circles the bench to make herself a coffee. After taking her first sip, she levels her gaze on us. “Okay, let’s hear it.”

Gabriel flips a couple of pages in his notebook and pushes it across to Hadley.

She studies it for a moment, her eyes widening.

“The Firelight Ceremony?”

“It’s three days from now,” he confirms. “Sunset, two nights before the full moon.”

She glances at me before returning her focus to Gabriel. “Franklin turns three months old on the full moon?”

He nods. “It’s actually terrifying how every piece of the prophecy is falling into place with his birth.”

My brows narrow at the slight awe in his tone. “He’s an innocent child who had no control over when or where he was born,” I snap, “not a fucking divine being.”

“I know,” he rushes to appease me. “I’m not buying into it, simply making an observation.”

A feeling of trepidation washes over me. Is trusting him a mistake? How do I know he’s not going to sacrifice me alongside my nephew? He did mention something about having the blood of a living relative, or some shit like that.

“Nash…” Hadley’s voice pulls me from my thoughts, and it’s like she knew what I was thinking. “We’re on the same team. None of us wants Franklin used in this way. He’s a little boy who didn’t ask for any of this.”

“I hate that he’s even caught up in it,” I choke out, hating the way my voice cracks.

“Trust me,” Gabriel says quietly. “It’s one of my biggest regrets.”

“We’re not playing the blame game,” Hadley insists. “Zara made her choices. As did Tanner Crawley, when he assaulted her. You were only trying to do what you thought was right when you offered to help her. No one knew what was going to happen.”

“Let’s just figure out how we’re getting him out of there,” I mutter, tapping the notebook. “This plan needs to be fool proof.”

“Agreed.”

“So, what is this Firelight Ceremony?” I ask.

“It’s a cleansing rite,” Gabriel explains. “It’s meant to purify the body, spirit, and sacred grounds—a spiritual detox, if you will. A release of darkness and negative energy. The whole community gathers for it in the chapel. It’s actually the perfect distraction for us to get in and take him.”

“How do you know Franklin won’t be there?”

“They won’t risk him coming into contact with the uncleansed,” Hadley says, her eyes fixed on the hand-drawn map. “So, you think the ceremony is our opening?” Her question is directed at Gabriel, who nods, a grim look marring his features.

“The entire Circle will be gathered in one place. Every adult is expected to attend, including the sentinels. It’s non-negotiable. The ritual is their way of purging their taint.”

My jaw tightens. “What the hell does that involve? What exactly do they do?”