Page 73 of Requiem
His eyes are wide. “I wasn’t stopping you,” he whispers, breathless. “I’m coming with you.”
I nod. We don’t say anything else as we go. The house feels different now, knowing we’re being watched by men who plan to kill my friends. To sell us girls to a fucking trafficker. I won’t let that happen.I don't exactly know how little me could possibly stop this. But I can try. Our biggest weapon is here, but he's not working properly.
We need him to.
Heather and Rafe follow us downstairs, positioning themselves near the monitors while Adela and Nico focus on the immediate task.
Trying everything to crack the fucking system.
Rafe glances up briefly, and I give him a look that saysdon’t come in unless I need you.He understands.
Micah lingers at the door when I reach it. “You’re sure?” he murmurs.
“No,” I admit quietly. “But we need to tell him. Letmetalk.”
The lock clicks, and I step inside.
Jude is standing when I enter, seemingly mid-pace.
“Alexei just called,” I say.
Anger and alertness flashes behind his hazel eyes. “What did he say?”
“He’s hosting a party in five days. He demanded that you surrender, or he’s going to release everything he has on you.”
He starts pacing again, his chaotic energy desperate for somewhere to go.
“And he found us.”
His body goes rigid. “What?”
“His men are watching us. Now. So either we surrender, or he releases everything and attacks the cabin.”
“He said he’s going to sell the girls, Jude,” Micah interjects.
“Micah,” I snap. But it’s too late.
“No.” Jude's hands flex at his sides. “Itoldyou. I shouldn’t be around you. None of you. Just let me go. Like you fucking should have to begin with.”
“I don’t care,” I say immediately.
That snaps something loose, and he turns on me, eyes sharp now. “Youshouldcare,” he says, voice rising. “You don’t understand what I am. You don’t understand what happens when I lose control.”
“Idounderstand,” I say, stepping further into the room. “And we need you to lose that control on someone else.”
Micah shifts behind me. “Emma—”
“Stop,” I say quietly, not looking back.
Jude laughs once, but there’s nothing in it. “I’m not safe.”
“I never said you were,” I answer.
That lands differently. His gaze snaps to mine again, and I can see that it’s unstable. “Then why are you here?”
“Because I choose to be.”
Micah steps forward. “Jude, just—calm down for a second.”
