Page 87 of Hell House
“Oh Salem. You’re about to change the whole world and you don’t even know it. Did it ever occur to you why someone would want to attack you? To send you poisoned pie?”
I narrow my eyes at him. “What are you saying.”
“Your grandmother. She was behind that.”
I whirl at him, my steps slipping. “Are you out of your mind? Of course, you are. You kidnapped me and tied up our friends after you spent the night fucking me.” The betrayal burns.
“You should be used to people screwing you over by now. You let Pierce fuck you after everything he did.”
“Why do you two keep saying he did something? What did he do?” My bare feet slip again. Each rock feels like a knife to my foot.
“Who do you think set your room on fire?”
All my strength leaves me in that moment. “No.” I crumple, making Emmet have to hoist me up.
“I don’t believe you.” I spit at him.
“I see the truth doesn’t sit well with you. I guess it doesn’t matter telling you now then, that you’re a witch.”
I gasp, the pieces falling to place in my mind. A witch. A witch from Salem…named Salem. I almost want to laugh. The truth rings throughout my body. Out of all the things he's said, this is the one that latches to my soul. I know, that at least in this, he's telling the truth.
“Your family helped contain all of us souls in Purgatory, and because of that, you’re the only one who can bring that containment spell down.”
“I don’t even know how to cast spells.”
“Don’t worry. It’ll recognize your blood.” His smile is full of malice.
“Would you two be quiet? We’re almost there.” Headmaster Hayden shouts, obviously struggling to make it down the hill.
If they need me, they can’t shoot me, can they? Emmet said I was the key to something. If I could get away before then, I could call for help. My mind snags on Sloan wondering if he made it to the hospital wing in time and if they were even able to do anything. The pie that was meant for me, that Emmet saved me from eating. Why would he do that? Was it just so he could use me now as this ‘key’ to unlocking whatever it was? And what did that have to do with the night of the thunderstorm?
All I knew for sure is that I wasn’t sure who I could trust even if I did manage to break free.
CHAPTER SEVENTY-FIVE
Skye
“Can you reach my zip tie strings?” I ask Pierce who’s doing a worm crawl on the floor to get to me.
“Yeah, just let me flip over so we can sit back-to-back.” He manages to swing himself over so we’re in the right position. Calling out for help has done nothing. Most of the party goers must have passed out hard or left.
I remembered a viral video I had seen on how to get out of zip ties if you were ever captured, and I was glad that I watched it several times to commit it to memory.
“Okay, I’m going to need you to tug on them, making the ties as tight as possible.” Pierce grabs onto them and does his best to follow my instructions. I feel like loss of blood flow as the plastic digs into my skin. God, I hope this works. Salem needed us.
“Okay on 3, I’m going to come down hard on your leg, okay?” He shifts into position and props up his leg behind me.
“1, 2, 3.” I slam my arms down as hard as I can, with a yelp. “Shit!”
“Maybe you could kick it?”
“I don’t want to break your fucking wrists, Skye!”
“Just do it!”
“Fuck! Okay. Hold on. On 3 okay?”
I nod my head yes, bracing for impact. “1, 2, 3!” His slams his shoes directly on my zip ties and I hear a crunch mixed with a snap. The pain works its way up my arm and into my elbow, but I’m free.
