Page 23 of Barinov

Twelve trials await, one hum per breath.

Each note a choice between love and death.

Twelve days between for her to see,

What life could be… if she stays with me.

While you prove devotion by blood and bone.

I’ll teach my Izzy that she’s never alone.

My love beside her, my name her shield.

Let’s see whose truth she thinks is real.

Whitmore’s path will soon be known,

Coordinates sent when the clock is prone.

This is your warning, so don’t be late.

Arrive prepared or seal her fate.

“Well, Cade,” Tex says, setting the paper back down in front of Knox. “Looks like whatever the first trial is, it has to do with you.”

I stagger back and drop onto the couch. Cade hurries over and falls down beside me, rubbing circles on my back as I lean forward to try to fucking breathe for a moment.

“Tex, can we not just go to Costa Rica now?” he mumbles.

“We could. But without knowing the coordinates, we’d be running around blind.”

“Twelve trials,” Haley says, quietly counting on her fingertips. “Twelve days between. That’s—” she gasps, doing the math faster than the rest of us. “Almost five months? He’s going to keep her until summer.” Her hands sink into her red waves as the tears fall free.

“Hey,” Knox says, rushing over and dropping to his knees in front of her. “Hey. No. No, baby, look at me.” He cups her face in his hands. “That’s not going to happen.”

“How can you say that?” she cries.

Ellie’s face crumples, the first screech of a sob breaks free as she leans into Briggs. He hooks his strong arm around her and holds her tight against his side as she starts to tremble.

“Shh,” he whispers, pressing his lips to the top of her deflated blonde curls. “Darlin’ it’s all going to be alright.”

“Girls, we’re going to find her before then. I promise,” Knox confirms.

His voice is fierce and pretty damn convincing, but I don’t buy it. Both girls sniffle and nod, leaning into the lie.

I stay folded forward on the couch. Cade’s arm tightens around me. My fists are balled so tight my knuckles feel like they’re about to burst through my skin.

“Twelve fucking trials, Cade.”

Chapter 6

BELLA

1 day since arriving in Eden.

Pain.

A deep, burning throb that pulses in time with each heartbeat. Every thump makes it flare hotter and brighter. The smell of molten iron and scorched skin is still clinging to the air. I suck in a breath and instantly regret it.