Page 55 of Boys Who Hunt
He tilts his head. “Now, go clean yourself up.”
CHAPTER 14
Ivy
The next day
Anonymous: Remember what I said. Eight sharp. Don’t be late, twig.
My gripon my phone tightens.
Silas.
I change his name in my phone to Psycho and tuck it into my pocket, so I can focus on my studies, but his warning still looms over my head. I check the library clock, feeling my heart sink into my shoes the closer the arrow gets to twelve—the time for my supposed punishment by the Skull and Serpent Society boys.
“You okay?” Aspen asks, closing her book. “You’ve been off all day. What’s going on with you?”
I sigh. “I have an appointment with someone at eight.”
She raises her brows. “Ooooh! Something important? Or is it a secret? Is it a date?”
I suck in a breath. I don’t want to alarm her, but if I don’t tell her, she’ll find out anyway. “Silas wants my … help.”
“Silas?” She frowns like she can’t believe her ears. “Silas Rivera? As in the guy with the black-and-white hair and the heart tattoo?”
“Yup,” I say, rolling my eyes. “Unfortunately.”
“Why are you hanging out withhimof all people? He’s shady as hell,” she says.
“I don’t want to, believe me, but I … owe him,” I respond.
“Ew.” She rolls her eyes.
“Exactly my thoughts.”
“Silas is such a fucking freak. I can’t believe we’re even related at all.”
“What?” My jaw drops because this information came out of the blue.
“Yeah. Didn’t you know?” She makes a face. “He’s my half brother.”
My eyes become even wider. “No, I didn’t. But how? Aren’t your parents still together?”
She nods. “Yep. My mom, Penelope … she has this poly thing going on since forever with my dad Dylan, as well as Felix andAlistair. To me they’re like extra dads, but it feels odd, for sure. Especially for me and my siblings and half siblings.”
“Wow.” I close my book. I’m too invested now.
She rubs her lips together. “Yup. It’s normal for us. We’re not alone, though. Silas and Max are cousins too.”
My jaw drops. “What?!”
“It’s true. I thought you knew that already since you’ve been hanging with Max.” She takes a sip of her water like she’s just given me the greatest tea ever, but it feels fishy.
“Wait, how do you know about that?”
“I saw him approaching you in the grass but then turning around, all sweaty. Why did you think I pulled Xav and River with me to go hang somewhere else?” She nudges me with her shoulder. “I got you, girl.”
“Thanks.” I blush, not knowing how to respond.