Bloodshed (Order of the Unseen, #1)(52)

The dead leaves crunch beneath our boots as we head down the trail, making our way through the woods in what feels like a frenzy. He walks faster, leading the way as I almost trip over a branch in the middle of the path.

“Slow down, Micah,” I snarl. “Let’s talk about this—”

He swirls around so fast that I knock right into him. Even with only the light from the unreliably dim lantern, the anger in his eyes is impossible to miss.

“Fuck that,” he mumbles, teeth bared. “I don’t want to talk. Like you said, this never happened.”

“So, we’re still cool, then?”

“Sure,” he scoffs.

It feels like an eternity before we finally reach the cemetery. Turning off the light, I leave the lantern behind, setting it down at the onset of the woods. Damien is already long gone, and once I hear Micah’s motorcycle roar to life, I know he’s ready to flee, too.

I don’t even get the chance to straddle my bike before he takes off down the narrow path, loudly revving the engine as he leaves me behind.

And there are only two things running through my mind.

One, he’s right.

And two…

I really fucked up.





CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE





QUINN





“Last chance, Quinn!” Jenna happily shouts, before barging back into our room.

Kylie joins her, practically glued to her hip. “You never party with us,” she pouts.

With my knees bent and legs in the air behind me, I lie flat on my stomach on the bed and nod down at my open textbook. “I really can’t afford to fail this exam,” I tell them.

“It’s Friday night,” she points out, as if that means I should be dying to party like they are. How they’re not too hungover to drink after their shenanigans last night is beyond me. “Come on. We’re seniors now! You can study tomorrow, or on Sunday.”

“I’m studying for the Med Surg ATI, Jenna,” I explain with a sigh, twirling my pen between my fingers. “And not to mention the Leadership ATI—”

“Ugh! Fine,” she gives in, studying her reflection in our full-length mirror. “Text us if you change your mind.”

“Sure thing,” I say.

Several hours pass, and as tempted as I am to text Ghost… Damien… back, I don’t. It’s almost impossible to study with all these unanswered questions on my mind.

I always promised myself I would never let boys get in the way of my schoolwork. Yet, here I am, as distracted as ever.

My phone unexpectedly dings.

The unknown number:

How goes studying, princess?

I glare down at my screen and sigh, quickly adding his number to my contacts before tossing my phone onto the pillow.

After taking the longest shower of my life, I snuggle into a pair of sweatpants and a comfortable, loose-fitting hoodie. While pacing the room, the screen of my phone lights up with another text. Rushing over to my bed, my heart hammers.

Damien:

Can’t stop thinking about you, Quinn



Several minutes pass before another text comes through.

This time, it’s from an unknown number.



Unknown:

Hi Quinn. It’s Michael. I got your number from Ghost’s phone Sorry if that’s weird



I hesitate, not wanting to reveal that I finally know their true names until we are in person.

Me:

Hi Michael. It’s okay

Not weird at all



Unknown #2: You looked so beautiful today



Me:

Let me guess. Jason?

You also got my number from Ghost’s phone?



Jensen:

Nope

Got it from Michael



Damien: Are you ignoring me?



Me:

Maybe



Damien:

What’s wrong?

Did I do something?



Suddenly, he FaceTimes me.

I ignore it, letting it ring until the screen of our texts returns.

Damien:

What’s the matter, baby?



Micah:

Are you okay?



Jensen:

Hope you’re alright



Suddenly, my stomach swims. I simply can’t take it anymore.

Peeking my head into Harper’s room, I spot her curled up in bed, eyes glued to her phone. She eventually notices my presence and looks up at me in question.

“I’m going out,” I tell her with a grin. “You feeling any better?”

“Like a truck ran me over,” she mumbles.

“Want me to grab you anything before I head out?”

“I’m okay. Thanks, love bug.”

“Anytime,” I say, turning away.

“Hey, Quinn?” she asks, letting out a small laugh as she looks me over from head to toe. “You look like you’re ready for winter.”

I casually shrug. “I’m freezing.”

“And where are you off to tonight?”

“There’s this guy,” I begin, not having the slightest idea as to whether or not I should mention that there’s actually three of them.