“No, haven’t seen him.” For two days.
The guys busted into my barn, tied and gagged the Crows, tossed them in the back of Cairo’s truck, then told me to drive myself home in Legend’s car. I couldn’t be a part of what was coming next.
I fought them of course. Argued that this was for Roan, and they weren’t pulling that Bedlam Boy-only garbage. We stopped pretending I wasn’t one of them since Axel Verlice.
“You can’t come with us, Rain,” Cairo told me. “There are other people involved now. Those show-off fucks send that video to half the town.”
“They what?” I cried.
“She’s seen it, and she’s authorized dramatic action.”
I swallowed. “You’re going to kill them?”
“Would you shed a tear if we did?”
My gaze flicked to them kicking and yelling on the bed.
“I’ll shed tears, but they’ll only be for Roan.”
Cairo stroked my lips. “If she shows up while we’re taking care of this, you can’t be there. No one’s supposed to know about what we do for her, or Bedlam.”
“I understand.”
I said I understood, but when’s that ever been true in regard to the Bedlam Boys? All I knew was I’d been sleeping in their beds alone.
“Sorry about Mom,” Paris said under her breath. “Ever since that video hit my phone and the Crows went on the run, she’s super momma-bear protective. I’ve got to check her every time she tries to follow me to the bathroom.”
Speak of the Nora.
Nora joined our table on the terrace, resplendent in a cream pantsuit and diamond earrings. I arrived to pick Paris up for dinner and Nora was dressed like this, though I surprised her at home. She volunteered to joined us for dinner, and I couldn’t think of a reason why she shouldn’t.
“How are we doing, ladies? Room for dessert?”
“I love their melon sorbet,” Paris said. “Rainey?”
“I don’t get out of bed for less than chocolate profiteroles.”
Nora’s laugh chimed like bells. “Rainey, you’re such a character. I’m glad my baby has you to put a smile on her face.”
Paris fondly rolled her eyes. “She’s my friend, Mom, not my comic relief. And as your friend,” she said, turning on me. “I can’t let you stay in that house alone while all of this is going on. I’ll sleep over tonight. We can make a whole thing of it and invite Amy, Zara, and the girls.”
“Sleep over?” Nora repeated. “Paris, why would you stay there when Rainey is more than welcome at our home any time?”
“Because Cairo’s got a killer movie selection stashed in his closet.”
“Nonsense. That’s not a good reason for you not to sleep at home where you’re safe.”
“I don’t need a good reason. I’m nineteen, not nine.”
I rose half out of my seat, squinting at a strange light coming from the square.
“What is that?” I asked. “Is there an event tonight?”
“I didn’t hear about anything,” Paris said.
As she spoke, someone came running from that direction and stopped to speak to a couple strolling up the sidewalk. She said something to them, hands waving, then all three took off running.
“Something is going on.”
Paris and I shared a look, then got up.
“Wait, girls. Girls,” Nora cried. “Come back.”
More people were running through the square, directing others to see what was ahead. I grabbed Paris’s hand automatically, sensing what was coming before we rounded the fountain. Heat blasted us in the face.
Lips parting, the sound I meant to utter was stolen by the wind.
A ring of fire stretched to the sky, and defied its lack of reach by bending the air and sending its smoke high.
The burning well circled nearly the entire patch of lawn once used for family picnics. The people that occupied it now weren’t there for that purpose.
Jeremy, Micah, Zeke, Asher, Jonah, Bentley, and Gael strapped to seven wooden stakes reminiscent of Ruckus Royale. Where it differed was no sand pooled at their feet, it was blood.
“Help,” Jeremy bleated. “Please, h-help. Get us down.”
His face was a ruin.
Nose broken and weeping, eyes half swollen shut, and blood matting his hair. That was only from the neck up.
I looked down, and hissed.
In the middle of their chests, a blistering brand scorched permanently on their chests.
Bedlam Forever
“Bedlam forever,” Paris whispered.
I could only stare.
The beating Jeremy took at Riot Royale looked like love taps compared to the battered man before me, and the other Crows were not better treated.
Paris and I got as close as the flames allowed us—which seemed to be the point.
No one was to get to them, cut them down, or answer Jeremy’s pleas. The Crows would suffer the public spectacle they were happy to give Roan until emergency services did only what they were required by law.
“Paris.”
Nora gathered her daughter in her arms, tucking Paris’s head under her chin.
Turning to look at them, I noticed the growing crowd, and the familiar faces within.