Page 268 of What We Bury

Milo glares. Says nothing.

I drag a hand over my mouth and force my voice back under control. “What else do you know about Stephen?”

“Less than you do,” Odin says. “Fenrir wasn’t lying when he said he wasn’t getting anywhere. Brock was careful. More careful than most men who think they’re untouchable. Separate apps. Burner habits. Restricted visibility. We flagged indications of same-sex activity, not a stable identity. It looked transactional in parts. Hidden. Stephen seems even more careful.”

“So now what?” I ask. “If it’s Stephen making threats and none of us can work out who he is, what course of action do we have?”

Odin exhales. “I’ll put more people on it. Full background—Stephen, Tyler, anyone from Brock’s life worth looking at. Phonerecords, financials, social media, the works. If this Stephen exists in any meaningful way, we’ll find him.” He looks at Holden. “You said you’d push Sage harder on the party. Do it today. Names, faces, conversations she didn’t think mattered. People remember more than they realize when you ask the right questions.”

“Understood,” Holden says.

“And the surveillance on her continues?”

“Around the clock,” I say. “She’s staying at Holden’s. One of us is always with her.”

“Good. Keep it tight. No blind spots.” Odin stands, buttoning his jacket. “One more thing. Whoever did this wasn’t just threatening the girl. They were speaking our language. Whether that’s intentional or coincidence, it means someone is paying attention. To her. Possibly to all of you.” His gaze sweeps the room. “Act accordingly, gentlemen. I fear you’re being watched.”

He moves toward the door, and I stand before he gets there.

“Odin.”

He stops and turns.

“I’d like to speak with you,” I say. “Alone.”

He nods, and the others pile out of the room. Even Knox, who lingers a fraction longer, like maybe he thinks I need a witness. Finally, the door closes and it’s just us.

Odin doesn’t sit back down. He stands across from me, a posture so neutral it’s almost an invitation to confess. His eyes find mine, unwavering.

“What’s on your mind, Eli?”

I look at the floor for a moment, not sure how to start. The words burn the back of my throat. But I say them anyway, because I have to, because if we’re being hunted, this needs to be done.

“It’s about Sage.”

SEVENTY-THREE

SAGE

The only other person in the bar is one very still security person who doesn’t even make eye contact, let alone conversation. When the backroom door opens and Milo, Micah, Holden, and Knox walk out, I’m practically giddy for the company—not something I would have thought a few weeks ago when they first started tailing me.

Holden’s face is bricked up and unreadable, which means he’s processing. Micah’s smile is tight. Milo’s trying for casual, but the frantic energy in the way he walks makes me think he didn’t get everything he wanted out of that meeting. Knox gives me a slight nod. And they all do a quick inventory of me and converge around the bar.

Milo drapes himself onto the stool next to me, leaning in like I’m the best thing he’s seen all year. “Kitten! I missed your face. Did you eat your donut?”

I hold up the half-eaten donut and he grins, satisfied.

“Good. You know carbs ward off evil spirits, right?”

“I don’t remember reading that in the Bible.”

He grins and shrugs.

Goofball.

Holden steps in front of me, checking his watch. “I need to head back to the station. You good?”

“Of course. Go.”