And just like that, the parallel thread clicks.
I pull out my phone under the bar, open my contacts, and scroll to F.
My cousin Felix's omega is Naomi Quinn. And Naomi is close friends with Dorian Beaumont. As in, the billionaire pastry mogul behind Beaumont Patisserie. Who just happens to be expanding into...
"Hey." I lean to Mason and Arthur. "I need to make a call, be right back."
Mason slides my pint closer to himself. "I'll guard your beer with my life."
***
The sidewalk outside the Lake's Edge is a welcome break from the sweltering heat of the bar. Through the front windows, I can my teammates and the other team passing pitchers of beer over each other's heads.
I lean against the brick wall and pull up Felix's contact.
Four rings. Five. I'm about to hang up when—
"Knox! Hey, man!" Felix says over the sound of bubbling water. "Sorry, we're just chilling in our new jacuzzi. Everything okay?"
"Yeah, everything's fine," I say, turning away from the glare of a passing set of headlights. "Listen, I actually need a massive favor. Do you think you could run something by Naomi for me?"
"Yeah, I don't see why not," he says. "What is it?"
"I have a pitch for someone I know. If I send you the details, could Naomi just... put it in front of Dorian Beaumont?"
"Of course, Knox. Send me whatever you've got, and I'll ask her to look at it. It might take a bit, though, as she's swamped right now. Hope that's okay?"
A heavy knot in my chest loosens a fraction. "Yes, of course. Thank you, Felix. Seriously, I owe—"
There's a massive crash from inside the bar, the sound followed immediately by roaring voices:"WHERE IS SHE?!"
"Whoa," Felix says. "Everything okay over there?"
The heavy wooden doors of the bar suddenly burst open, spilling loud music and golden light onto the sidewalk.
"I gotta go," I say quickly, watching Mason and Arthur hurry out. "I'll text you the details tonight. Thanks again, Felix."
I shove the phone in my pocket and push off the wall. Arthur is speed walking, wide-eyed and frantic, and Mason is following right beside him.
I jog to catch up. "What's going on?"
“We have a situation,” Mason says, voice clipped, as we hustle down the sidewalk.
“We need Clementine!” Arthur blurts.
24
Beth
A pair of beady orange eyes lock onto mine from the center of Arthur's bedroom floor, and for one full second my brain cycles through every reasonable explanation.
Then the thing opens its beak and makes a sound that no inanimate object could ever make as it breaks into a full trot toward me.
I scream. A full-bodied, hands-in-the-air, final-girl scream and bolt.
I round the corner into the living room at a dead sprint, still screaming my lungs out. Maren and Luna are already on their feet, eyes wide and panicked.
"THERE'S A CHICKEN," I shriek. "IT'S COMING."
