Page 190 of Bone’s Choice

I wanted to tell her again to get back in my room, but didn’t because I knew it was just going to be a fight.

Hose crouched beside the coffin and checked underneath it. Then the sides. He ran his hands carefully along the base. “Don’t see anything.”

“Open it?” Myth asked.

Hose stood. “Only one way to find out what the fuck they brought us.”

I stepped forward. Myth moved with me.

Taco was suddenly there too.

“Thought I told you to stay by the door.”

“You did,” he agreed.

“And?”

“I found my boot,” he answered.

I stared at him. “What?”

“Felt like that changed things.”

Despite everything, Myth snorted.

I shook my head. “Stay back.”

Taco actually listened.

Hose moved to one side and I took the other.

My hand wrapped around the edge of the lid.

For one second, Owen flashed through my head. The smell. His bloated body. Munch gagging.

I lifted the lid and Hose swore.

Myth went completely still.

I stared down at Eli. “Fuck.”

There was no mistaking him.

Same short brown hair. Same skinny face. Same gray T-shirt he’d been wearing when Myth and I met him.

His skin had lost its color. His eyes were closed. There was bruising around his neck.

I didn’t need Hose to tell me he was dead.

I knew.

Myth leaned closer. “Son of a fucking bitch.”

“Bone?”

Hazel.

I turned, and she wasn’t in the doorway anymore.