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“The brother knows that you betrayed him, and I imagine he and his little buddy are on their way here now.”

“I am aware, Alok. None of this would have happened if you’d kept to your fucking self. Shut up and let me think.”

“Oh dear, and you lost the girl on top of it. This is not good.” Alok pulls his shirt over his head and moves to the bathroom.

“I don’t need your commentary. If you care about her like you claim, why didn’t you follow her?”

Calm down. She’s pissed. Her phone is most likely on silent, she will be back. There’s no need to worry. Yet.

“She needed space. I’m the last person who should go after her,” Alok says, moving to the bed now, lounging on it like he belongs there.

I pace back and forth. Contemplating how to de-escalate the situation. Yes, I lied to that shithead Cade, but I didn’t have much of a choice. What was I gonna say? “Yep, you’re right. I’m the reason your sister is up for sacrifice; oh, and did I mention there’s a celestial inhabiting your best friend’s body?” Because that would’ve worked out so well…

In the distance, I hear the roaring of a motorcycle. I exhale an audible sigh as Alok looks over at me with indifference.

“Let’s just get this over with…”

I open the door and step outside onto the balcony as Cade and Jack step off the motorcycle. He pulls his helmet off, and I hear Alok chuckle.

“The sight of those two on a bike together is comical.”

“Please, stay quiet,” I say, knowing I can’t take much more of this.

“Alabaster!” Cade yells up at me, full of rage.

“Ooh, you’re in trouble,” Alok says in a high, mocking tone.

I walk back inside of the hotel room, choosing to sit and wait for the hurricane.

I can sense Cade’s heavy footsteps bolting up the stairs and down the hall; before I know it, he grabs me by my neck. Then he makes eye contact with Alok.

Cade’s face twists with disgust. “What the fuck is going on here?”

“Clearly a fun time, wanna join?” Alok asks in a sultry voice.

“Where is my sister?”

“She left after this asshole showed up,” I say. “I tried calling you.”

“You let her leave—alone?” he yells. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”

“I didn’t let her, she ran.” I glance at Alok.

Jack steps inside and closes the door, walks over to the bed, and decks Alok in the face. I can’t help but laugh when Cade’s grip tightens around my throat.

“You lied to me,” he says through his teeth.

“Yes, I think that’s been made apparent.”

“She’s pissed and got overwhelmed. All of this is fucked and I would prefer to focus on finding her rather than argue with your dumb ass.” Cade pulls his hand away, instead pulling out a knife, pressing the blade to my throat.

“You’re angry, that’s fair. But you know you can’t kill me. You should shift your focus to finding your sister.” I step into the blade, and I feel it pierce my flesh, the warm liquid dripping down my neck.

Cade stares up at me. “You don’t appear all that concerned,” he spits out, pulling the blade away. “But you should be.”

“Why is that?” I feel my false flesh weave together and wipe the blood away, licking my fingers.

“She’s with Genevieve,” he says in a low voice before meeting my eyes, his gaze sharp. “Who is telling Calli what you are.”