Page 42 of Sincerely, Butterfly

“I just told you how you have to be careful if you were going to take anymore lives. Plus, you can’t just go around killing random people.”

“Not random people, just any girl who tries to take what’s mine. Like Scarlett. Just a few. Like maybe three… or five.”

“What have I gotten myself into?” Dad groans, putting his forehead down on the desk. “You’re gonna be worse than me, I just know it.”

“Oh please, I’m not gonna kill over a hundred people. I don’t needthatmany. Just a few. I promise. I’ll space them out. Make sure I cover my tracks. It will be fine.”

He lifts his head and narrows his eyes. “Famous last words.”

“And now, I have you to help me.” I begin bouncing with excitement now. “Oh, this is gonna be so good! Oh! I need a name,” I ramble at him.

“A name?”

“Yeah, a killer name. I’ll think of something.” I wave it off. “Right now, I need to go home and think about this more.”

“Go home?” he parrots. “Nola, there’s a body you need to get rid of first.”

“Do you mind putting her in the oven for me?” I give him my best puppy dog eyes. It always worked when I wanted more sweetsafter Mom said I couldn’t. Maybe it would also work when it came to disposing of lifeless bodies.

“Fine,” he sighs. “I’m already wide awake anyways.”

“Thank you, Daddy!” I rush over and give him a big hug. “You’re the best.” I press a kiss to his cheek.

“I better be. But seriously, Nola. If you’re going to do this, you need to be smart about it. No impulsive killings like tonight. Know who you’re taking out first, make a plan, and go from there.”

“Got it.” I nod.

“Stay away from any more big names, okay? No more daughters of Brotherhood members. Davis was already on the verge of being kicked out, so you’re safe when it comes to this one, but it’s not worth risking it in the future.”

“Fine,” I grumble. “I won’t kill them, but can I at least hurt them? You know, if I keep my identity hidden.”

“Nola,” he draws out in a warning tone.

“Fine, fine,” I sigh.

“And… you can not kill any of the ritual sacrifices.” His tone is serious. “That is not up for negotiations.”

Shit, I forgot about that.

The Brotherhood isn’t just a secret society, they’re also a cult. A blood and sex cult.

They believe that their wealth came from the ancestral gods. The last week of every August, they hold a ritual.

The person they choose must volunteer their body and blood. While I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone who's been chosen—as all of it has to remain anonymous—I do know they don’t take their lives, just their blood… while they’re having sex.

Jasper, Sylas, and Wesley have been doing this since they were young. And because it’s all top secret, I’ve never been able to get Skittles close enough with the body cam to get a look.

Not that I’d put his life at risk like that anyway.

“You know what? I don’t think that will be an issue,” I tell my dad. “I won’t kill anyone important, okay?”

Dad watches me, trying to determine if I’m telling the truth. “Okay.” He nods. “Fine. You can do this, but please, if you need help, call me.”

“I will.” I give him another hug and kiss before rushing out of the office.

Tonight ended up in a much better way than I thought it would.

There’s so much to unpack about what has happened and the things I’ve learned about, but I’ve got time, the whole summer really.