“I think she’s right,” Nick says, running a hand back through his hair. “Get me all the details on this teacher, and I’ll look into him. He can’t have a record; otherwise, he wouldn’t have gotten this job.”
I bob my head, starting to feel slightly better.
I’m obviously still on edge. Knowing that secret societies exist and that I had a hand in putting away some people who could potentially bring their whole group down has me nervous. Add the fact that I’ve been to one of these underground poker locations, andit’s hard to not feel like I have a target on my back. Not only with the KVS, but the Order could be watching us too.
“Everyone, let’s just calm down,” Nick says, addressing my friends.
Lanie looks ready to tackle Mr. Oaks to the ground, brace or no.
“He’s right. We’re really just overreacting. It’s a tattoo. Octopuses are popular. They’re not limited to criminal organizations.”
My phone vibrates in my purse, and I hear both Lanie and Nina’s do the same.
We all pull our phones from our bags, staring at our screens.
Unknown
We’re watching you and those you love.
Give Lanie my regards. xo OR
I blink, rereading the text several times.
“What is it?” Nick asks.
I hand him my phone, looking first at Nina and then at Lanie.
“What does yours say?”
Nina turns her phone toward me, showing me her screen.
Unknown
Touch one of ours again and die
“Lanie?” I say, peering up at her, wanting to see her screen.
Her head shakes back and forth as she backs away from us.
“This can’t be happening.” It’s all she says.
I grab Lanie by the arm and pull her away from the throngs of people, Nina right behind us.
I refuse to make a scene. The last thing I want is for Ava to realize there’s a problem. I won’t ruin this day for her.
“What do you know?” I snap at Lanie as soon as we’re out of sight from anyone else. “And don’t you dare act like you know nothing.”
I lift my phone, putting the screen right in front of her face. “OR? Who is OR?”
She closes her eyes, swallowing hard. A pained expression is frozen on her face.
“Olivia Rossi.” The name slips from her mouth in a whisper, as though saying it louder will lead to her materializing.
“Why?” I bark. “Why is she bringing you up as if you know each other?”
“Because we do,” she cries. “She’s part of my secret past. The person I ran from.” She shakes her head, looking pathetic, something entirely foreign for Lanie. “I knew she was coming. I dreamed it.” She grabs my shirt, holding tight. “I didn’t burn the scarecrow, and now she’s coming to take away everything that I love.”
Her nightmare.
