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Madison veers that way, and I resist the urge to stop her, to insist on finding the trail and doing this logically.
I’m not dealing with a creature of logic. I’m dealing with an ancient and unknowable sense of justice.
I made the oath at the tree. I did it there because to me that tree was the beating heart of the island. The tree is the tangible symbol of this thing, this entity, the spirit of the island, and even if I hadn’t comprehended that, I’d sensed it every time I was drawn to that tree.
My oath wasn’t spoken words. It wasn’t even a mental promise. I’d reached out with my heart and my fervent determination to do right by this island. I was an intruder, but I hoped I could be more.
I hoped I could be an intruder that the island might accept. One who came with respect, who came to protect, not destroy.
Madison and I run for the tree. We run through the forest andalong the stream, sloshing in the water, knowing it will take us to the tree.
The heart of the island.
Finally, I see the tree, the gnarled and terrible beauty of it rising from its clearing. I see it… and I do not see Kit.
“There!” Madison says, lifting our joined hands to jab.
Something is moving in the forest. Coming from our left. It’s Sadie, still dragging Kit by his hair. Seeing that, I snarl in rage and launch myself—
Madison holds me back. I twist toward her, but she’s looking to the right. Another figure is lurching through the forest. Another human figure.
Garrett?
The other figure passes through moonlight, and my heart stops, my knees weakening.
“Jayla,” I whisper.
It is Jayla. Or what remains of Jayla. The husk of her broken body. She’s dragging herself from tree to tree, bracing against each as if those trunks are all that’s holding her up. She still wears Kit’s hoodie, and it’s red with blood.
Jayla is heading toward Kit and Sadie.
I let out a string of curses. This goddamn entity knows exactly how to stop me from saving Kit. She doesn’t need invisible forces to slam me back. Just wake Madison in hopes I’ll stay in the house. If that fails, bring Jayla. I would attack Sadie to get Kit back, but how much will I dare do that to Jayla?
No, I have to. Remember it’s not Jayla. Remember—
“Put him down,” Jayla rasps.
She’s still moving toward Sadie and Kit. Dragging herself from tree to tree.
“Put my fucking brother down,” she says, “or I will grabyouby the hair and drag you from one end of this fucking forest to the other.”
“Jayla?” I whisper.
Madison’s hand squeezes mine. “It’s a trick, Laney. That thing is using Jayla to trick you.”
Jayla’s face swings our way. Her face is a mask of blood.
“Hey, kid,” she croaks. “How’d you get so smart?”
My knees weaken.
“You really think I’m that easy to kill?” she says. “And do you think I’m going to let that thing kill my little brother?”
“Will you duct-tape me to a tree if I try to help?” I say.
“Nah, this time, I actuallycoulduse a buddy.”
My eyes fill, and I say, “Jayla is the most amazing person ever, and I’m so lucky to be her friend.”
