Free What Lies in the Darkness (Shadow Cove Book 1) by Jessica Sorensen Page A

when the room should be empty, giving me just enough time to slip in and steal a couple of walkie-talkies and an earpiece before hightailing it back to class. If anyone stops me in the hallway and asks what I’m doing, I have a freshly signed bathroom pass in my back pocket.
    Exactly one minute later, the red light flips off, and the door swings open. I straighten and am preparing to walk in when Rylen strolls out of the room with a guitar slung over his shoulder. When he sees me, his lips pull into a smile.
    “Hey, Mak.” He tilts his head to the side as he glimpses the camera dangling around my neck. “I didn’t know you were into photography.”
    I decide how to play this. Rylen knows me enough that he might be able to tell if I’m lying.
    “It’s actually a new hobby,” I say. “Embry’s really into it, and she’s giving me a few pointers.” When he peers around the empty hallways, I add, “She’s actually waiting for me in the quad. I’m supposed to pick up some equipment for us to use.”
    He shoves the sleeves of his grey thermal shirt up. “That’s cool. I mean, that she’s helping you. And photography’s pretty fun. I think you’ll like it.”
    “Are you into it?”
    “I’m not hardcore into it, but I’ve taken a few classes.” He pats his guitar. “Music’s more my thing. And skateboarding.”
    “Well, aren’t you just a man of many talents?” I flash him a teasing grin.
    For some reason, he seems embarrassed. Is it because he’s talking to me? He’s associated with me at school before, though. Perhaps whatever has turned everyone into gawkers has made him second-guess being nice to me.
    “But, anyway, I have to get that stuff out to Embry ASAP. Maybe I’ll see you at the skate park later.”
    I’m moving to head inside when he sidesteps, causing me to bump straight into him. I start to trip back, but he curls his arm around my waist and steadies me.
    “Sorry,” he says quickly. “I didn’t mean to run into you. I just wanted to ask … to make sure you’re okay.”
    “Um, yeah.” I’m so confused, not only by his question, but by his invasion of my personal space. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
    “Because of what happened to that girl.” He studies my puzzlement, and then his eyes widen. “Shit, did you not know about that?”
    I start to shake my head, but then it clicks. “Wait, are you talking about the girl who drowned in the lake?”
    He relaxes, stuffing his hands into the back pockets of his black jeans. “So, you did hear about it, then?”
    “Yeah, my mom was working at the hospital when she was brought in.”
    He turns all squirmy again. “Did you hear who it was?”
    I suddenly feel extremely nervous, too. “No. Do you know?”
    He massages the back of his neck tensely. “Um, yeah … it was … Bria Brookenrose.”
    “ Bria ? My brother’s old girlfriend, Bria?” I say, probably too loudly.
    He nods, and while my mind races with questions, only one leaves my lips.
    “Do you know how she died?”
    “Well, I don’t know for sure, because there hasn’t been anything in the paper about it, but there’s a rumor going around school that …” He sweeps his dark strands out of his eyes, looking like he wants to be anywhere but here. “That she killed herself because of some pact she made with your brother.”
    For a moment, the only noise I hear is the hammering of my own heart slamming against my chest. Then thoughts begin to flood my mind.
    Bria killed herself? Bria, the girl Sawyer was dating right before he died, took her own life, too? Bria killed herself because of a pact with my brother? Does that mean my brother killed himself because of a pact?
    “It might just be a rumor,” Rylen breaks the maddening silence. He stares at me as if he fears I’m about to shatter. “You know how shit is around here. Someone says one tiny remark, and suddenly, the entire school is blowing up with gossip. Don’t let it get to you, okay? You’re too strong