Chapter 6 · Don't Touch the Ring

The phone kept ringing. Evelyn stared at the screen like it might explode.

"Don't answer it." Nolan's voice cut through the static in her head. He was already moving toward her, one hand pressed to his ribs where the black fire had tried to crawl up his spine ten minutes ago.

"They have Theo's jacket." Her thumb hovered over the green button. "They know where he is."

"They want you to think that." Nolan grabbed her wrist. Not hard. Just enough to stop her finger from landing. "You pick up, they own the conversation. They set the trade. You lose."

Evelyn jerked her hand back. The phone buzzed again, angry and insistent. "I already lost. They took him five years ago and I've been breaking curses in rat holes ever since. So don't tell me what I lose."

Mara was still bleeding through the torn sleeve Nolan had wrapped around her forearm, but she stepped between them anyway. "He's right, Evie. Whoever this is, they waited until now to call. They want you scared and stupid."

"I am scared." Evelyn's voice cracked. She hated the sound of it. "And I'm answering."

She swiped before either of them could stop her.