Page 23 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

“Margaux…”

I continue rambling. “That’s the entire point of secret societies. The wordsecretis right in it, and—I still don’t know where you found out about any of this.”

A demon like Strode having secrets is no surprise, but my father being involved, without me knowing,is. Why wouldn’t he tell me, and how much more is he hiding?

His cheeks turn pink. “A friend. I can’t tell you who.”

“Ah…thatkind of friend.”

“Don’t ask Professor Cruz about the society directly. You’re right, that’s stupid as fuck. All you have to do is ask him about immortality. Start there. Trust me.”

He’s right. The topic wouldn’t turn any heads in our household. Father and I have discussed it several times, but this may require me to push him about immortality more than I usually would.

“And why should I trust you?”

“No one else knows the things I know.” His eyes narrow, and he leans in. “Not a single soul. You’vegotto trust me, or your days of solving murders will end faster than your acting career.”

“Watch it.”

“It won’t matter. We might as well kiss the campus goodbye. If my father is involved, this goes deeper than a couple of deaths. It’s not a baby vampire on the loose or a serial killer. If you think you can take down an ancient power with your little friends, you have another thing coming, and I won’t stick around to watch you die.”

“I must admit…” I swallow thickly. “My father has been behaving suspiciously as of late.”

He smirks. “Oh?”

“I’m not saying he’s involved, but even though I don’t like you or trust you, I’m willing to allow you to prove yourself—and to be right. I don’t give chances like these so easily, and I won’t fall for faulty information.”

I was the one to push back against Tobey’s suspicions, and I’m thankful for it. Caldwell would have been in big trouble if I trusted their instincts without proof. Now, my father may be involved, and I’ll do the same with Jun.

“It’s not like you have another choice,” he says. “I’m the only lead you have, right?”

“That may be so. This ancient thing…” I close my eyes, doing my best to process the information. “You think it’s your father?Ourfathers are killing students?”

“I don’t know, but I think they’re involved. And I think it’s big. You and I are the only ones with the connections to figure this out. So, I’m in.”

“I didn’t even invite you?—”

“I don’t care. I’m in.”

As much as I hate him, and as much as I don’twantto accept his help, I need it. Whether Tobey will be happy about this is another story, and this may be another thing I regret, but…

I’ll take all the help I can get.

“You were terrified when we found the body. Why the sudden change?”

“Finding a corpse would scare anyone shitless.” He shrugs, leaning back in his seat. “But I won’t let fear freeze me. We need to end it this time—to really fucking end it. And I don’t think you can do it without me.”

In another circumstance, I would want to do it alone, or at least without his help. Proving Jun wrong should be imperative, but I no longer care. This is the time to strangle my ego, not let it fight against the only chance we have.

Tobey and I succeeded at killing Amelia but failed to avenge Poppy. I will always love Poppy and Tobey, but if Jun is right…

This is bigger than both of them. It’s serious enough for me to set my grudge aside, meeting Jun’s gaze with a devious smile.

“Perhaps you’re right,” I say.

“I am.”

“Then this is how I make a deal with a devil.”