The

night the demons returned was the warmest night in October.






It was warm enough to justify doing the induction outside. Six girls in dark cloaks with hoods traveled single file through the forest behind the sorority house. At the center of the group was the seventh (unwilling) participant, Esra. She was still wearing the fluffy slippers and baby-blue pajamas

My

legs pound the dirt, pumping for all they're worth. My sandals pinch my toes as I run - I hate that I didn't get a chance to change for this. I stumble, but catch myself, angling for the curve in the hedge up ahead.






I strain my ears - I can't hear her footsteps anymore. The hedge maze is quiet save for my own frantically slapping sandals and gasping breath. I

Mom's

private library is not all THAT private. I've even been in here a few times when she asked Sophia to get a book for her. But there's a lock on the door, and she rarely lets us in here without her being very close by.






I'm fully prepared to break in - the lock is not very strong, and I think I could probably pick it. But apparently Mom was in a hurry to get

My

"bath" is gross and sticky, and Ash spends the whole time complaining about how easily I let my mom walk all over me. At least until I tell her to shut up and let me suffer in silence. Then I don't hear from her for the rest of the day.






When the day ends, I feel so tired, even though barely anything happened. It turns out I missed lunch while I was

The

silence is so thick that it feels like it's going to choke me. The two of us standing there, eying each other.






I don't know if she's aware of it, but she could destroy me right here and now if she tells anyone the truth about me. I'm all too aware of it. I have to stop her. I have to keep her from telling Marwa what really happened last night. I want Ash to

Yumi

is clearly shocked by my offer. She's sitting up now, just staring at me. She keeps opening her mouth to say something, thinking better of it, and then closing it again. I try to keep a level expression.






Finally, she looks away. "Could you even do that?"