The number. I run my finger over it, the curve of every angle. I’d say it’s identical to my trailer when I was growing up, but why? Why would it be my trailer. This is the cabin from two drawings, but the one that perks my interest the most is the drain cover that says Perdita on it. I flick through to another page that I haven’t seen yet, and it’s a sketch of the gates of Perdita. The ones that lead into the township. The soft gray smudges are flicked high, the edges as sharp as the gates in real life. I flip the page to the next chapter, and it’s a dungeon. I notice a small signature on the bottom. It’s a scribble, and I have to squint my eyes just to make out the words. Perdita. I stand from the old lounge chair, pushing the book back into my duffel bag.
I know where I need to go, but I need someone to take me there.
I know what I need to do to make that happen.
I floor it onto the highway and dial Madison’s number through the Bluetooth. She picks up.
“Hey, I was about to call you…”
“Where are you? There’s something I need to show you.”
Pause. “At Bishop’s.”
“Okay, I’ll be there soon.”
I hang up and make the trip into the city, my nerves wracking around inside of me. It’s a good distraction from the pain.
My eyes flick to the rearview mirror and I notice a dark SUV following. It’s been on my tail since I got on the highway. I chew on my lip, trying to figure out what to do. I see a shoulder coming up ahead and pull in, the tires skidding against the asphalt.
The SUV follows, and I take a second to sit there, my eyes on the rearview mirror. I can’t make out the driver through the small rearview mirror and the tints. I open up my phone and send a message to Madison.
If you don’t hear from me, there was a dark SUV following so I pulled over. I think it’s the same car that came to Nate’s the first night I was there and told me to come outside to meet him. Sorry I didn’t tell you about it. I kept so much to myself. I guess I like secrets just as much as the guys… Anyway, I was coming to show you something. When I slept in Daemon’s room, I found his sketchbook. I wanted us to go to Perdita because a lot of the sketches are drawn there, but a couple are done of a broken cabin in the woods, and my trailer number—weird, huh? I’m jumping out of my car now to see who these motherfuckers are that have been following me. Love you. Please take care of Nate, Brantley, and Bailey. I forgot to tell you about Bailey, Bishop will fill you in. X
I climb out of the car, slamming the door closed behind me while clutching the strap to my duffle bag. The back door opens, and I see a polished Oxford shoe peek out, landing on the dusty road.
I tuck my hair behind my ear, just as the door closes. My eyes travel up his body, and then land on—Nate’s dad?
Confused, I step forward, licking my lips. He comes directly to me, popping his collar.
“Tillie, nice to formally meet you…”
“I wouldn’t call this formally, but okay. Why are you following me?”
“If I say to come with me, will you listen? I don’t want to hurt you. We won’t hurt you.”
I think over his words, my eyes searching his. “Why?”
He turns his gaze over his shoulder to look back into the Cadillac and then back to me. “Because I have information that you will want. I promise I will bring you back to your car when we’re done. If that is what you want…”
Why would it be something that I wouldn’t want?
If he wanted me dead, he’s had plenty of chances to do so.
I tilt my head. “Why did you want me to come outside when you came to Nate’s?”
He gestures toward the waiting SUV, just as a large truck zooms past, my hair flying up everywhere and the wind almost knocking me to the ground.
“Alright,” I mutter, making my way to the SUV. “I appreciate you not trying to kidnap me.”
“Oh, trust me, I almost went there…”
I roll my eyes, gripping the door handle and slipping inside the warm enclosure. I assess my surroundings. Two suited men are in the front, both wearing dark glasses, shading their eyes. Gabriel climbs in beside me and the truck pulls away, back onto the highway.
I can feel my phone vibrate in my bag, but I ignore it. My point was made. Madison knows.
“So, talk.”
Gabriel stretches his neck, his eyes coming to mine. He looks so much like Nate in this lighting. They have the same square jaw, only Gabriel has a grey shadow of a beard scattered over his. Handsome for an old dude. “To start off, your mother, Katsia.” He places a leather satchel on his lap and pops it open, taking out a piece of paper and handing it to me. “She has left you with this account.”
My eyes fall to the paper. It’s a trust account with enough money to survive for
