Page 37 of The Order of the Bitter Hunt

“And you’re sure Strode has something to do with the murders?” Caldwell asks.

“Nope, but it’s our only lead, so for now… we’ll follow it.”

“I don’t know how you’re the one giving the directions,” I mutter.

Jun’s head snaps in my direction. “Do you have something to say to me?”

“Yes, I do. You’re going out of order. We have to follow my father’s trail first. We still don’t know what’s going on withhim, and that will show us whether we’re heading in the right direction.” I inhale shakily. “I hope.”

We’re going in without a guide, and it’s even worse than before. We have no visions or clues. All we have is Jun’s supposed insider information, which I don’t trust. For obvious reasons.

At least there was some evidence pointing to Caldwell last time, even if it was wrong. Now, we’re going in with only Jun’s words as evidence, and we can’t really trust him. I’ve never trusted him, but our options are running low. I hate to admit it, but Jun seems to be the only one with a sense of direction.

“What else?” I look around the little group. “Do we have any other clues, or?—”

“No. Nothing else.” Caldwell pushes his glasses up and rubs his eyes. “If we must make a witch weapon and kill a demon, so be it. I’d rather avenge my mother than keep sitting on my hands.”

“But this isn’t about vengeance anymore, is it?” Tobey presses their lips together, and they exchange a look with Caldwell. “It’s bigger. We’re doing this to make a change, right?”

Jun’s brows lift, but he says nothing.

“You’re right,” Caldwell murmurs, taking Tobey’s hand. “But I won’t be able to rest until I finish what she started.”

It seems like the couple may not be on the same page, but as long as we’re fighting for the same end, I don’t care.

“Then let’s finish this,” Jun says. “First… we need the weapon.” He turns his attention to me. “Maybe that will make you more comfortable with what you have to do next, yeah?”

I stand up straighter. “Maybe.”

Doubtful. How can I be comfortable lying to my father and sneaking into somewhere he probably would have invited me? Then again, he’s hadyearsto extend an invitation.

Why did it take him so long?

“If we’re going to make the witch weapon, it has to be tonight.” Caldwell looks up at the sky, his attention glued to the bright, round moon. “We need the full moon for this.”

I look at Jun, my lips pressed into a tight line.

We can’t wait another month. There will probably be another death before then.

“Then it will have to be tonight,” Jun says. “Unless you have a problem with that, princess?”

Tobey and Caldwell are watching me now, too. Their eyes bore into me with a question behind their gaze. I don’t give myself a moment to acknowledge it or wonder what they may want to ask about.

It likely has to do with Jun’s use of what isusuallya pet name, but I know it isn’t sweet when he uses it.Princess. It’s condescending, a means of tormenting me—and now that he’s saying it in front of my friends, it’s working.

“No problem here.” My stomach twists with an unfamiliar sensation.

“I’ll prepare the ritual,” Caldwell says. “Meet me on the library roof at midnight.”

After our meeting,I slink into the library, hoping to learn more about these so-called witch weapons. Dark bookshelves and desks fill the room, and students work with their heads down. My quiet footsteps are the only sound in the silent room.

With my lips pressed together, I stroll to the magical section. It’s one I’ve never needed to visit.

I’m not a witch, and I have no way or hope of making any of these magical items myself, but learning about them before trusting Caldwell’s plan is a necessity.

“What are you doing?” A voice purrs in my ear, but there’s no one behind me.

My eyes widen, and I look around wildly, with a screech caught in the back of my throat.