The area above the stage glimmers brightly, and a body gracefully rolls from the portal. Jack—or is that Hux?—smiles brightly at the crowd, his dark hair brushed back into a man bun. When has either of them ever worn a man bun?
As the audience dies down and Hux/Jack makes a beeline towards the Academy, Frankie waves his hands to capture the man’s attention. Hux or Jack glances once at our group and smirks before stalking away, whistling an unfamiliar tune.
“What the fuck?” Vin glares daggers at his retreating back. “That was weird, right?”
“Very fucking weird,” I agree, staring after our friend suspiciously. “Did something happen between Violet and them?”
“Not that I know of.” Vin rubs at his chin in consideration. “But even if they had a fight, Hux would be buying out grocery stores of chocolate right now while Jack would write her some stupid-ass poem. Neither of them would ignore her—or us.”
“Fuck, where is she?” I tear my gaze away from Hux/Jack and focus once more on the stage. Above, the final countdown begins.
Ten.
Nine.
Eight.
“Come on, baby,” Vin murmurs, eyes clouding with pain. “Come on.”
Seven.
Six.
Five.
“Pinkie…” I whisper.
Four.
Three.
Two.
One.
The audience roars once more as a loud buzzer resonates through the open clearing.
“And that concludes Round Two of the competition!” Mr. Pumpkin screams, his voice lost in the jubilant noise of the crowd.
“She’s not dead,” Vin whispers hoarsely, shaking his head rapidly. “She’s not dead. I can feel that.”
“Then where the fuck is she?” I ask. “Are you fucking positive she didn’t make it?”
“I was the first one out.” Vin’s face is deathly pale, and his hands shake by his sides. “I’ve been standing here. Waiting. And waiting. And waiting.”
“Enough!” Frankie steps forward until he’s between us. “She’s still alive, okay? We know that much through the mating bond.” It’s the first time any of us has talked so candidly about it in front of the others.
“We’ll find her,” I whisper resolutely. Because if some fucker decided to take my girl…he’ll pay. They’ll all pay. “No matter what.”
“No matter what,” the other men echo, steely determination etched across each of their faces.
We may be men, but we’re monsters first and foremost. And us monsters? We kill those who dare to hurt what belongs to us.
We’re going to get Violet back.
Or we’ll die trying.