“I’m not hungry.”
Walsh appeared torn between retrieving the tray and staying put.
“Walsh, just bring down the damn soup!” Once Walsh was out of sight, Harris continued his interrogation. “Do you know how long it’s taken me to get this far? How long it took me to find this God-forsaken witches dagger? And now you, of all people, have the last thing I need. You may stall the inevitable, by not cooperating, but I assure you, Ms. Pierce, I am not afraid to get my hands a little dirty if that’s what it takes,” he threatened as he towered over me.
“What are you talking about?” I questioned, ducking as a wave of nausea hit me.
Harris chuckled darkly. “I was there the night of the senior class initiation,” he smiled, tipping his head from side to side, “in spirit.”
“What?” I asked, my face flush with anger and confusion. His vague statements were becoming increasingly infuriating.
“Your friends really haven’t figured it out…” he mused, cocking his head to the side as he studied my reaction. “We thought all was lost when we couldn't find the necklace in the Payne house. There was no ‘Plan B’ at the time. But when you turned up at winter formal wearing the necklace for the whole town to see. “Well, inspiration struck!” he snapped, grinning wickedly. “You became ‘Plan B.’ You see, Rayna, it’s much easier to take the necklace from someone like me or someone like you—a harmless mortal—than it would be to take the necklace from Harlow—a mangy, shape-shifting devil. Tell me, did he share with you what he is?”
“You’ll never get the necklace if I have anything to say about it,” I growled, my anger burning hotter at his insult toward Harlow.
Harris laughed and crossed his arms. “You’re a feisty one! Speaking of the dance,” he began, “Your friend Lacey made my job too easy when she left the necklace on the refreshments table. I’d ask you to thank her for me, but here we are,” he shrugged.
When I didn't offer a response, Harris took the tip of the dagger to my skin and I flinched beneath it, eyes burning, as he traced it along my cheek. “That’s why you recognized this dagger, isn’t it? Harlow’s told you his secret. That he and his brother, and the rest of them are monsters! How can you stand to be with someone like him?”
I kept my mouth shut, giving him the dirtiest look I could muster.
“What do you know about werewolves, Rayna?” Harris asked as he began to circle me. “Did you know they are violent creatures?” He stared me down, but I didn’t falter. “No?” Harris closed in on me, leaning over my shoulder, his breath hot against my ear. “Did you know one of them killed my sister?” he hissed.
I broke into a cold sweat at his accusation. “You’re wrong!” I argued, moving away from him.
Harris laughed darkly. “You stupid girl. Do you honestly believe that matters?”
“Then why am I here? What do you want from me?”
“What I want is to know how you got the damn necklace back? Hand it over and you’re free to go. It’s that simple.”
“I don’t have it! And even if I did—”
“Maybe that’s true,” Harris cut in, “but I’d wager that you know where I can find it,” he said as Walsh returned carrying a tray of food.
Sliding past Harris, he handed the tray to me: a bowl of chicken noodle soup and a glass of water.
“I’m not eating this,” I objected, shoving the tray back toward Walsh so hard that the soup sloshed over the edge of the bowl.
“It’s not poisoned, Rayna. I need you alive. Eat! I’ll come back in the morning and we’ll try this again.
chapter sixteen
THE SOUND OF THE DOOR PUSHING OPEN ECHOED OFF the walls, waking me with a start. I hadn’t been asleep for very long before Harris and his sidekick reappeared for round two. “Feel like talking this morning, Rayna?” Harris asked in a cool tone.
“I already told you, I don't have the stupid necklace.”
“You may not have it on you now, but I think you know who does or at least where I can find it,” Harris replied, a noticeable edge to his otherwise calm demeanor. “That's all I'm asking and then you're free to go,” he said, gesturing to the only exit. “You are making this far more difficult for yourself than it needs to be.”
“I won’t put their fate in your hands,” I sneered, my skin prickling.
Harris appeared amused by this. “I’m more than halfway there. Think of it like this, Rayna,” he continued, his tone lighter as if struck with inspiration, “You’d be helping to protect this community. Hell! Humanity for that matter.”
“I know that’s not what this is. Harlow’s pack is out there right now,” I argued, pointing at the wall, “and has anyone been killed? No!”
Harris shuffled forward and for a moment I thought he was going to come at me. Instead, his voice was low and troubled as he spoke, “My sister was a bright, happy young girl. The sparkle in her eyes could light up a room just by her being in it. I’ll never forget the day I saw her mangled body contorted in ways I didn’t even know possible. And that light in her eye...” Harris sighed, “that light was gone.”
I swallowed hard, keeping my eyes down as I picked at my fingernails uncomfortably. Why was Harris telling me all this? Did he think his story would actually change my mind?
“That day changed everything. It changed me. Did you know that it took over a week to find her body? I can’t even begin to imagine what horrors she experienced in her final moments. The Wildlife Wardens said she was most likely attacked by a large rabid animal. Ha! Rabid maybe, but not just any animal could have done that to a body. At the time I didn’t know any better,” Harris paused, crossing to the other side of the room and leaned against the wall, arms folded. “I didn't sleep for a month. We searched every inch of that forest with no sign of the animal responsible. Eventually, the Warden’s called off the hunt. But I could never give up on my sister. I wanted the creature responsible to pay for taking her life. My beautiful sister, so full of life and with such a bright future. All of it taken away in an instant.”
Harris sighed, dropping his gaze to the floor, he traced a line in the dust with the toe of his boot. Yesterday he appeared so strong, so intimidating, but now he looked weathered. His posture sagged and his eyes were tired, like a man who hadn’t experienced a solid night’s sleep in months. Against my better judgment, part of me felt bad for him—and I suspected that was the point—knowing that he'd lost a loved one. No one deserved to go through such a terrible thing, especially seeing a body mangled in such a gruesome way. I cringed remembering the photos shown on the news. The images were so disturbing the news anchor had to warn viewers of their graphic nature, blurring most of them out.
Harris continued, “When the Wildlife Wardens announced they were ending the search, I knew I had to keep looking. That’s when I put up posters and took out ads in the paper, recruiting volunteer hunters. I never imagined that I’d hear from the Venators. They so kindly shed some light on Harbor Glenn’s werewolf problem.”
My heart sank. “No one in Harlow’s pack is capable of such a thing.”
Harris' head cocked to the side slightly as he considered my words for a moment before his eyes locked on mine again. “You are blinded by affection!” he spat. “Werewolves pose a danger to the entire human race. You’re not exempt from that just because one of them has wormed his way into your impressionable, teenage heart. If these monsters didn’t exist, Dani would still be alive. For the sake of all the daughters, sisters, fathers, and brothers out there, werewolves must pay for their ferocity.” Anger flared in his eyes. Harris was clearly fueled by his need for revenge—even if that revenge made him a hypocrite. And I could tell he wasn’t going to stop until he got what he so desperately wanted.
“You’re trying to preach to me that werewolves are violent creatures,” I started to argue back. “then what does all of this make you?”
Harris stepped away from the wall, shaking his head. “You think I’m going to kill them? What good would t
hat do? It won’t resurrect my sister. If I wanted them dead, we wouldn't be having this conversation! Oh no, Rayna,” he smiled grimly, “I can assure you, their fate is one far worse than death. In fact, when I’m done with them, your friends will wish they were dead.”
Without a second thought, my fist made contact with Harris' face and he staggered back with a grunt.
Straightening, his dark eyes met mine with a mixture of shock and fury. He didn't move or speak for several long seconds as he stared me down with a dangerous smile tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Our silence came to a halt when the metal door opened with a loud screech and Walsh stepped into the room. His eyes darted back and forth between us as if he sensed something had happened.
“You just assaulted a teacher,” Harris said as if he could use this against me later.
“Self-defense,” I begged to differ.
Walsh cut in. “Avery, I’ve been informed that the town knows she’s missing.”
In an instant, the worn out man in front of me disappeared and the fiery anger returned to his eyes. Harris chuckled darkly, shoving Walsh hard against the wall. “Please explain to me how you are helping?” he snarled. “If I want an update, I'll ask for it!”
“Yes, Sir!” Walsh replied, clearly shaken. He smoothed the fabric of his jumpsuit as soon as he was free of Harris’ grasp, squared his shoulders as if nothing had happened and exited the room entirely composed.
“Where’s the food? We’re not trying to starve the damn girl,” Harris called down the tunnel after Walsh.
Walsh reappeared shortly thereafter with the same tray of food he'd offered me the day before.
“We'll come back, again, later. If she still doesn't want to talk, I’ll just have to bring the pack to me.” Looking back over his shoulder at me, Harris added, “And if it comes to that maybe I’ll put death back on the table. Your boyfriend will have you to thank for that.”
Walsh stepped forward, setting the tray down at the foot of the cot. He watched me briefly as if he had forgotten that I could see him. Walsh blinked to snap out of it and took off hastily after Harris. The door slammed shut behind them and I was alone again.
Think, Rayna. Think! I coaxed myself. There had to be a way out of this. A way out of here. I could lie about where the necklace was. But was it too risky? Enough time had passed that I wasn’t entirely sure I even knew where the necklace was at this point. The longer I sat here contemplating on an empty stomach, the more intense the exhaustion became. Closing my eyes, I leaned my head back against the cold wall, huddling deeper into my coat, and eventually drifted to sleep.
“Rayna?” a familiar female voice called out.
My eyes fluttered open to find Ivy standing at the foot of the cot. “Ivy?” I questioned, rubbing my eyes in disbelief. Never in a million years did I think I would be so happy to see her. Unless, of course, she wasn’t really there. I hadn’t eaten, so it seemed logical that this Ivy was nothing more than a figment of my imagination. “You’re not real. Go away!”
Ignoring me, she asked, “What is this place?”
“Go away, Ivy!”
Spearing me with her gaze she continued, “I’m here to help you and you’re ordering me away? Don’t be so ungrateful, Rayna Pierce! I don’t have much time. Now stop complaining so we can figure this out!”
“What’s to figure out? You’re not actually here.”
“Guess again. You do realize who you’re talking to don’t you?” Pointing to herself, Ivy said, “Witch, remember? And I’m not physically here. You’re obviously sleeping or we wouldn’t be having this conversation.”
“You got inside my head!”
“Relax, Rayna! It’s just a connection spell. If you freak yourself out and wake up it’ll all be for nothing. Now I’m going to ask you again. Where is this place?”
“I don't know. Mr. Harris said this belongs to a friend of his that owes him a favor or something. Can’t you just go take a look outside?”
Ivy shook her head. “It doesn’t work like that, Rayna. Did you say Mr. Harris?” she repeated skeptically.
“Yes,” I confirmed, unsure if I should be offended. “I left Harlow a voicemail two days ago...maybe. I don’t know. I don’t know how long I’ve been trapped here,” I explained, getting irritated. “Harris had the witches dagger hidden in the bottom drawer of his desk.”
“You’re sure?” Ivy pressed.
“I don’t know what the witches dagger looks like, but the dagger I saw definitely had the three moons symbol on it.”
“Do you know where it is now?”
“Harris keeps it on him at all times, or at least it seems that way. He's only taken it out in front of me once.”
“Because once Harris had you, he knew his plan would start to unravel. He’s not going to let the dagger out of his sight. Has he confirmed any connection to that woman—”
“Yes!” I interrupted. “He told me the woman, Dani, was his sister. That’s what this is all about…revenge. Harris told me the pack’s fate would be worse than death.”
“Fabulous…” Ivy droned, unimpressed by this new piece of information.
“What is he planning, Ivy?” I pressed her for more information because I wouldn’t have put it past her to keep any new developments from me.
“Still haven’t figured that part out yet. One problem at a time, please.”
“Then forget about me. The pack’s fate is more important.”
Ivy snorted in disagreement. “I have a feeling a certain someone would argue otherwise.”
I sighed heavily at the thought of Harlow.
“Are you okay though?” she asked, pointing to the cut on my face that Harris had inflicted with the witches dagger.
“Fine,” I said, touching my cheek. Not wanting to discuss it further, I diverted the conversation. “What about trying a locator spell?” I suggested as if I knew what I was talking about. My only real reference to the idea was from the time I’d overheard Ivy discussing it with Nick and the others in the woods months ago.
Ivy made a face when she caught on to my diversion, but humored me regardless. “Tried. This place must have some kind of cloaking spell on it.”
Of course it did. “Well, what’s going on out there? Do people know I’m missing? Are my parents freaking out?”
“People are saying your dad went out looking for you when you didn’t come home from school. I guess he found your car abandoned on the side of the road and called the police.”
“I got a flat tire,” I explained and as I spoke the words, I realized Harris was more than likely to blame for it.
“Yeah, your mom told the cops she had spoken to you on the phone an hour prior. Apparently, all of your stuff was taken from the car. Your parents and, the police have been trying to call your cell phone, but no such luck. It's been over twenty-four hours since you were home last so you’re officially—”
“Missing,” I said, my tone deflated.
Ivy nodded. “The police are going around town asking questions. They had a search party out in the woods. Harlow and Dean were out there with your parents and a bunch of others last night looking for you. The police had your car towed from the side of the road early this morning. Your parents are making an official plea for your safe return on the news right now.”
A pang of sadness hit me at her words. “How did you all find out?”
“Well after your dad found your abandoned car, he called your mom. Your mom called Lacey and Arianna to see if you were with either of them; then she called the Larson’s asking if Rider had seen or heard from you. He didn’t know anything, so he reached out to Harlow. When that didn’t work, he called me.”
“You have to tell them I’m okay!” I begged her.
“I can tell Harlow and the others, but I can’t tell anyone else, Rayna. It’s too risky, you must know that.” She had a point. I couldn’t ask her to inform my family and friends that I was still in one piece without getting Ivy brought in fo
r questioning. “Now that you’re caught up, you have to fill me in. So you’re under Harris' custody, Harlow’s suspicions about Walsh were wrong?”
“I’m not sure. All I know is that Harris caught up with me after school on Friday. He said he wanted to talk about Harlow. So I stupidly met him in his classroom and that’s when I saw Cecily’s dagger—the witches dagger—in his desk.” I continu-ed to rehash all of the details that had landed me here. “So, now you know Harris is the one pursuing the necklace,” I concluded. “You have to keep it safe.”
“The necklace is safe, Rayna, don’t worry. I have the box.” Pacing back and forth she asked, “Have you left this room at all?”
“Only once when Harris' minion escorted me to a bathroom.”
“And?” she pressed.
“And we walked down a long tunnel to get there. I thought maybe I could escape out the bathroom window, but there wasn't one. There wasn't even a mirror.”
“A tunnel, Rayna, you should have led with that!” Ivy scolded me.
“What? Don't yell at me, Ivy! I'm not exactly in the right headspace.” I fired back.
Beginning to pace again Ivy said, “Continue to stall Harris until we can get to you and I’ll let the others know what you’ve told me.”
“That’s what Harris wants,” I warned. “Getting me out of here is just a trap. He’s had me searched for the necklace. He thinks I know where it is because he saw me wearing it at winter formal. Harris wants to use me as leverage to draw the pack here. He made it pretty clear after I told him I didn't know where the necklace was for the billionth time.”
Ivy frowned. “If this place is under a cloaking spell, maybe I can find a way to undo it or at least a workaround. Hang in there. I’ll be in touch.” In my vision, Ivy turned to leave.
“Ivy, wait!” I called. “One more thing. Harris asked me about the night of the dance. He admitted to spiking my drink with something...a potion. He said I was able to fight off the effects. Do you have any idea what he’s talking about?”
Ivy’s brow furrowed as she contemplated my question. Suddenly her eyes lit up with the knowledge of something. “The necklace! Remember the passage in my grimoire? A protection spell on an object protects its keeper from harm or malice. The necklace must have countered the spell Harris tried to put on you. Must have been a strong spell if you still experienced some of the side effects. Look, Rayna, I have to go. I’ll be in touch.” And with that, Ivy disappeared.
Iron Moon Page 18
