Page 139 of Ash and Poison

“Oh, yes. Please, take advantage of your night out. Have more food, more wine…”

“Thank you, Mayor Bricks. When will you be arriving at Hollowhaven tomorrow?”

“After eleven. I have a meeting at ten, I’ll come straight after I finish it.”

“I’ll see you then,” I said. With a nod to me, he walked away.

I looked around, scanning for Jonah in the crowd of faces. He was still a no-show. Why wouldn’t he come out for his own brother’s party?

As if he heard me mentally wishing for him to come out, Jonah walked out, looking pale. A woman marched to him and said something, and he shrugged.

Vincent’s nostrils flared when he saw Jonah.

“You two aren’t very close, are you?” I asked. Vincent nodded, his lips pulling down.

“He’s an asshole.”

My gaze trailed Jonah as he moved through the party, silent and alone. He didn’t talk with anyone, he didn’t even attempt to blend in. He looked angry to be here.

He ignored the hasty hellos thrown in his direction, and he didn’t attempt to mask his contempt.

“Why?”

“He has… always been mean and selfish,” Vincent said with a shrug.

As if he knew I was staring, Jonah looked up.

He stared, eyes unblinking, brows furrowed before he walked back into the mansion and disappeared.

31

HOME IS…

ASHER

Istared at the phone, frowning.

“What did she say?” Layne asked.

“She met Jonah. Oh, she also wanted me to remind you to give Jimmy his next dose,” I said, handing her the phone. We walked toward Jimmy’s room.

“Hey, Asher?”

“Yes?”

“You pissed her off last night, didn’t you?” Layne asked, frowning.

I scratched my chin. “Yeah, I did.”

“That’s good,” Layne said. “You know, some people are pushed by hope, some by anger. Diya’s unstoppable when she’s mad.”

I frowned, eyeing her twisted smile. “And what does she do when she’s really mad?

“She usually kills the ones who push her that far,” she said, looking quite excited.

“So, you want her to kill me?” I asked, shooting her a glare.

“Nah, I don’t think she will.”