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Beautiful aged oaks lined the property, with Spanish moss strung from their branches. The sound of frogs and crickets filled the air and butterflies flit across the flowers dotting his front yard.
The driveway was empty, except for my car and a squirrel munching on an acorn. It stilled when it saw me and I watched as it quickly scurried to the nearest tree.
Despite the emptiness of the yard, an eerie sensation filled my veins.
Someone had been in Rook’s home. While I was here.
I slowly shut the door and turned, staring at the black envelope, embossed with fancy, gold script, Summer Duvall.
Nervously wiping my sweaty palms on my dress, I glanced one more time around the room, then bent to retrieve it. The insignia of the Magnolia was stamped into it.
The wax was still soft—fresh—sticky as I pushed a finger under it.
Heart slamming in my chest, I gasped at the brief glimpse. Fingers numb with shock, I dropped it.
Stepping quickly back, I stared at the grainy photo—a picture of Callie. It was current—the backdrop of her at Crestmont Prep, standing next to Beckley—whom she’d only met in her internship summer.
In red marker across her face was scrawled, Did you forget? Darkmoor was only the beginning. First the house, now the only person you love.
Fear and anger simultaneously filled me and I grabbed the picture, tearing it to pieces. Then I picked up the envelope and pulled out the thick card stock.
It was an invitation to the Shadows and Lace Soirée, Greybone's exclusive yearly masquerade ball.
Dated one week from today.
My phone vibrated and my heart pounded as I pulled it from my pocket—not my phone, but the black, sleek one Saul had given me. You have your deadline.
How had he—could he see inside the house?
How did he know I’d seen the envelope…?
Suddenly, everything around me was terrifying.
There were no visible cameras and so maybe there were hidden ones everywhere.
Panic began to claw at my throat, my thoughts scrambling for a way to get out of this.
Secrets.
That’s what Saul wanted—something he could nail Rook with.
Deciding a phone call might freak her out if she could hear the fear in my voice, I texted Callie, are you okay?
Then began to search through the house, guilt making my gut churn, mixing with my fear and panic and anger.
My own father had betrayed Rook, along with everyone he trusted.
And I’d preached and preached about trusting others, and yet, here I was, betraying him, myself.
Giving up on the first floor, I raced up the stairs. After grabbing the nail file from his room, I went for the only room I hadn’t entered—his home office. I’d somehow jimmied the nightstand open, maybe I could do the same here.
Kneeling in front of it, I twisted the knob and…stilled.
It was open.
Was he…was Rook trusting me?
I froze, shame slamming into me, making my breath hitch.
