Page 10 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

Tobey gives me a look of disbelief, snorting, and I half expect her to start another fight. But she doesn’t. “Point taken.”

“This isn’t about him. It’s about us. He may have put me in a bad mood, but I need to take accountability for my behavior. I’m sorry for being a horror at lunch. That was unbecoming of me.”

“It’s fine. I never want to make you feel that way—like a third wheel or that I don’t want to see you get the best roles. Iwantto see you succeed, but I need to keep you alive, too.”

“You’re right. It would be tragic to die before I’ve been in a proper film.”

“Exactly. And you haven’t even been on Broadway yet!”

We smile, and there’s an understanding between us. I long to be optimistic, to believe the school year is about to turn around for the best, but…

As much as I would love to ignore the monstrosities in our world, I can’t. I have information Tobey will happily devour, and I won’t keep it to myself, even though I don’t know what it means for my family.

“I visited my father at lunch, and I realized…” I press my lips together, trying to collect my thoughts. “You won’t believe this.”

“I bet I will.”

“He has a pocket watch.”

She chuckles. “Okay…?”

“You don’t get it. It’s like the one Caldwell has. It’s the same metal, with the same engraving on the back.”

Her brows furrow. “You’re sure?”

“Almost positive. He wouldn’t tell me anything about it, just said he’s had it for decades. And he’s right. I remember that thing. It’s always been around, and I never questioned it before, but…”

Tobey presses her lips together. “Your father confuses me. Sometimes, I feel like he’s on our side, and other times… I don’t know. He’s weird.”

I try for a smile, but it’s tight. “He’s weird in many ways. You need to be more specific.”

My fathermustbe on our side. He was the one to protect us, letting us hide away in the estate when we thought we found the killer. Everything leads to him wanting us to be safe, and I believe that, but…

I also believe in Tobey. I have to. If we can’t trust each other, what is the point of everything we’ve been fighting for?

“He knew I was investigating the murders,” she says. “He was interested in it—like,highlyinterested. More than me. He asked me for names, and he seemed upset when I wouldn’t give him one. Now, he acts like he doesn’t care, but…”

“Go on.”

“Why is he so cool with me being here? He knows what I am—or what I’m not. Your father has the power to tip off the people who can kick me out of this school, but he hasn’t, even though it would be safer. Why is that?”

He’s right. Tobey, a weak human, shouldn’t be allowed at Strode. Wo… why is she?

A shiver runs up my spine. “I think we both know why.”

Amelia’s last words haunt me. According to her, Tobey is being kept here on purpose. We’re using that to our advantage, but she’s right. Tobey being here is dangerous, but she wouldn’t leave even if I begged her to.

If I were wiser, I would insist on it.

None of it makes any sense. What could they possibly want Tobey for, and is there really a chance my father knows about it?

Is he involved?

“I guess you’re right, but we should be wary of your dad.” She winces. “I’m sorry. That feels weird to say?—”

“It’s not. I’m wary of everyone these days. Everyone except you.”

She glances out the window, and her gaze stays there. “We’ll stick together through all the strangeness.”