Page 3 of Mutual Prey

I think back to Daddy’s golden rules, as we used to call them. There are many, but the main one is:Never deviate from the plan.

I wrote that list for a reason. I put them in that order for a reason. The only change I’ve made since Daddy died was to move Mr. Campbell to the very end of it. I want him to live a little longer so he can experience as much terror and pain as possible. Otherwise, where’s the fun of it?

His chuckle dies in his throat when I blink my icy blue eyes at him.

I’m glad my eyes have an effect on him, at any rate. I stillhave the ability to make people wet themselves with one cold glance.

He clears his throat nervously. “They took that old warehouse.. You know the one. It was where…”

His voice tightens.

Yes, I remember. That’s where his son died. That’s where I killed him.

I stifle a yawn and try to look upset.

“Over the years, that warehouse became a real hazard. Bound to fall apart. So Devil finally acquired it and had it transformed. You know, it feels like that company owns everything in the state. A snap of the fingers, and their will is done. They didn’t lose any time; they built a number of buildings right here, in this vacant lot where the old warehouse stood. Three full acres of land now house five buildings—science, math, language arts, the administrative building, and the gymnasium. And that’s without counting the three dormitories. When Devil wants to do something, it really does it, you know?”

“Uh huh.”

Devil is the reason I’m back—of course I know everything they’re capable of. I’m not after its founders, though. I don’t believe for one second I would stand a chance against them.

Never bite off more than you can chew.

Another one of Daddy’s golden rules.

But I’m going to finish what I started five years ago. I’m going to kill every single person who’s responsible for my parents’ deaths.

“I’m glad in a way,” sighs Mr. Campbell. “That place only served as a reminder of what happened. And I feel like I’ve finally started to move on…”

Goddammit.

“Though the killer’s release definitely reopened the wound.”

“The killer’s…release?” I snap my head up. “What do youmean, Mr. Campbell?”

I try to keep my nerves out of my voice, but for once, I don’t manage.

“You haven’t heard? Where have you been?”

In the Arctic Tundra, getting trained so I never allow some idiot to get away with breaking my wrists again.

“I guess… I guess I must have missed it.” I suck in a deep breath, willing my nerves to settle. “I thought he was locked away for life. No chance for parole. Tried as an adult, and all that.”

My voice sounds far too anxious. I felt invincible coming back after those four years of training, but clearly, Finn Austen still has the ability to make me nervous.

“I understand how worried you are.” Mr. Campbell’s voice is soothing. “But the police found just a tiny bit of DNA on the scene, and it’s a woman’s. There is no proof that Finn did it. You even said you didn’t see him commit the crime. Everything was circumstantial.”

Yeah. Yeah, I did say that.

Yet another one of Daddy’s golden rules:Only lie if you can get away with it.

I wasn’t sure I could get away withthislie. Finn wasn’t on the scene when Mr. Campbell’s son died. What if he had an alibi? Some airtight explanation that proved he didn’t do it? I hadn’t had time to figure that out before the police started their questioning. If they found evidence that he hadn’t done it, they would have realized I lied, and maybe they would have started to wonder about me.

Too dangerous.

But Finn being free is also dangerous. I haven’t forgotten his promise.

Cass Henley! I’m going to kill you!