Page 44 of Truth Revealed

“The ritual, the one Pandora has to do to lock us away… do you know what it entails?”

Youth was shaking his head before Truth even got his question out. “I don’t. I can ask though.”

Truth gave a single nod. “Do that. But discreetly. Don’t get in trouble, don’t get hurt.”

“Pandora’s going to want something from me,” Youth said nervously. “What do I give her?”

“Tell her… that she succeeded. That Daria is worried.” For lack of a better word. “Tell Pandora she’s shaken up, frantic. But there aren’t any other planned outings that I know of. So, unless she wants to come straight to the house…” Truth trailed off, an idea brewing. “Hold that thought. Let me think a bit longer, and I’ll have something the next time we meet.”

“And one last thing,” he added, his gaze locking on to the youthful appearance of the demon. “Do you know where Pandora’s main location is?”

Even if Truth’s powers didn’t work on other demons, he’d become good at reading others.

Luckily for Youth, nothing but the truth poured from his lips as his eyes glanced down to his hands before darting back to Truth’s. “I don’t, I swear. If I did, you’d be the first one to know.”

Truth searched his gaze for a moment, reading his worry and fear in the sky blue eyes of the young man before him. When he gave a single nod, and then moved to slide from the booth, Youth slapped a hand down on top of his.

“Promise? Don’t leave me hanging. Not with her.”

If that was part of his act, to tug at Truth’s heartstrings… it fucking worked. “I promise.”

DARIA

That evening before she went to work, Daria chowed down on whatever masterful concoction Truth had created in the kitchen. She wasn’t paying attention. Not to the flavor, not to the pasta noodles, not to the conversation trickling around the table.

Never had she had a big family to sit and eat dinner with. That kind of thing had always been reserved for movies.

Besides the threat of Pandora looming over their heads, Daria would almost call it perfect. She hadn’t had the guts to share her plan with anyone—too afraid they might agree with it. What kind of sister was she to even suggest using Sofia as bait? The guys had said it themselves—Pandora was never getting her hands on Sofia again. But what choice did that leave them?

You’re overthinking this.

“Are the trackers set up and working?” she inquired, and Persy’s bright green eyes met hers.

“Yeah, everyone’s phone has one, so as long as everyone keeps their phones on, we’ll know where each one of you is.”

A breath of relief left Daria. At least if one of them got taken, they’d know.

“Where’d you go this morning?” Betrayal asked, and Daria zoned back into the conversation, turning her head in Truth’s direction. She hadn’t even realized he’d gone anywhere that morning.

A shock of blue darted to her, then Betrayal, the glass of water raised to Truth’s lips as he studied them. “I went to the bakery this morning.”

“You did?” Daria swelled with excitement as her heart thumped with pride. “Did you interview? I bet it went so well, I mean, how could they not hire you on the spot?”

“Yeah.” Truth beamed brightly as he glanced her way.

Exclamations of excitement and congratulations echoed around the table. All but one.

“Interview, huh? The bakery fits you. Did you have to do a test run?” Betrayal pressed, folding his arms on the table as he pushed his empty plate a few inches forward. Frowning at his lack of enthusiasm, Daria kicked him under the table, but he only barely glanced in her direction.

What was his problem?

Truth’s brows knotted in the center of his face. “No… no test run. Just a normal… interview. I’m waiting to hear from them.”

“I’m sure they’ll call in no time. They’d be dumb not to,” Misery said.

“You’re going to have to sneak us goodies when you can,” Daria teased, already daydreaming of pastries.

“Hey, speaking of,” Truth began with a grin. He left the table and disappeared behind the island counter, squatting down. The bang of metal on metal sounded, and he popped back up on the other side with a serving plate in his hand.