Oh my god, I’m going to have to kill Jake.I stared at the tops of my shoes, feeling slightly dazed and very sick to my stomach. It was kill or be killed, right? Those were the rules. Rid the world of evil, even when you knew the guy and had laughed with him over your shared love of terribly produced horror flicks.
Maybe there was still some leftover mint schnapps to help calm my nerves. No—I hadn’t received my training certificate in drunk-fighting. I needed a better idea.
Stumbling over to my medicine bag, I tossed an antacid into my palm. It tasted chalky when I chewed, but I put a few more in my pockets for later. I threw on my jacket, grabbed my keys, and headed out the door. On my way downstairs, I texted Caden.
Elle:Jake is the killer, and I think Zoe knows where to find the book. I’m going after them.
When no response came, I stowed my phone in my pocket and ran to my car.
I drove to the Oaks Bar and Grille and parked in the garage. Jake’s van was still in the same spot as before, and I sat in my driver’s seat staring at it for a good ten minutes before I tried calling Zoe again.
No answer.
My stakeout continued. It was probably too great a risk to go into the restaurant. I’d have to make small talk with Jake, and I didn’t think I was up to any more conversations about the weather today. Plus, no more bonding with the demon. He was going to be hard enough to kill as it was.
An hour passed before I saw Jake entering the parking garage. With a muffled squeak, I slumped down in my seat, ducking my head below the windshield. He didn’t see me, and when I peeked above the dashboard he’d climbed into his van and pulled out of his parking spot.
I followed him at a distance as we traveled through the center of town and out into the countryside. I knew the road we were on well, having driven it a hundred times on my way to work. When we passed the long driveway for Clarke Manor, I almost took the turn.
Maybe Caden was at the manor fixing up one of the rooms. I could pick him up, and we could face this demon together. But I didn’t do that. Instead, I watched the drive disappear in the rearview mirror.
My phone finally rang, and I scrambled for it on the passenger seat.
“Hello?”
“Hey, Elle, are you trying to reach me? I have, like, a million calls from you. My phone was dead, and then I couldn’t find my charger. Spoiler alert: it was under the passenger seat in my car.”
“Where are you?”
“The country club. I got a text a little while ago telling me to come in for a shift, but oddly enough, there’s no one here. I’m going to wait a few more minutes and then leave if no one shows up.”
“Zoe, listen to me. I have to ask you a serious question.”
“Okay, shoot.”
“The night Professor Roberts died, did you happen to see an old-looking book with a strange carving on the cover?”
The line went quiet, and my heart pounded in my ears as I waited for her answer.
“Elle, how did you know? I didn’t tell anyone. Oh no . . . am I in trouble? I never should have taken it.”
“No, you’re not in trouble, but this is very important. I want you to get into your car and leave right now. If you see Jake, keep going.”
Her voice crackled over the line. “Sorry, I can’t hear you. The connection isn’t great out here. Did you say something about Jake?”
“Yes, but first, get in your car and go back to the dorms.”
We were taking the turn into the country club now, and I held back, letting Jake get out in front of me. His taillights disappeared behind a long line of pine trees.
“Zoe, are you still there? Did you hear me?” The line was mostly static, but I heard her choppy voice. Then, finally, it cleared up enough for her to talk.
“I think I see someone coming. Don’t tell anyone about the book. I’ll explain later.”
“No, Zoe, wait!”
The call ended.
Panic made my chest tight. Somehow, Jake knew Zoe had the book, and he’d gone there to get it from her. Which meant if I didn’t do something right now, my friend was going to end up dead.
