“Right. No more fights with Luke. He might not look it, but he’s strong and mean.”
“I could’ve beaten him if I wanted to,” Tal mutters, sounding like a pissed-off kid.
“I’m sure you could have. Go get it checked anyway.”
“I’m fine. I’m going for a walk.”
He doesn’t wait for a response, just heads straight into the forest.
I consider following him, then decide against it. He needs space. Hell, I need space.
I stand there for a moment, thinking through what comes next. We owe our guests an apology. I’ll track Luke down and make sure he delivers it properly once he’s calmed the hell down.
And Sierra…
I exhale slowly. I don’t even know what to say to her. I saw her face before I broke up the fight. I can’t imagine what she’s feeling right now.
I should go to her.
But first, I wait. If Tal comes back, I need to get him to the infirmary before he does something stupid with whatever herbal nonsense he keeps in that shed. Last thing we need is an infection.
After thirty minutes, the forest is still silent. No sign of him.
Fine. I’ll deal with everything else first.
I head back toward the main building. Some scuff marks from the fight are still there, along with a few drops of blood in the gravel. Nothing that a few minutes with a rake won’t fix.
Sierra’s face flashes in my mind.
I need to go to her.
Most of the guests are back in sessions, so I pull out my phone and call Luke again. No answer. I try a third time. Still nothing.
“Damn you, Luke.”
He’s either sulking in his room or getting wasted in town. I check his room first.
It’s a mess. Clothes everywhere.
That’s not a great sign.
Luke only gets like this when he actually likes someone.
CHAPTER 27
Sierra
Ihead back to my room to finish packing. I need to leave before my resolve slips—before anyone talks me out of it.
If Reid or Luke see me trying to leave, they’ll do everything they can to convince me this isn’t my fault. To make me stay.
But it is my fault, and I do have to go.
I can see it clearly now. Whatever’s broken in me doesn’t stay contained—it spills out, and people get hurt.
I thought I had it under control. I don’t. I can’t risk hurting anyone else.
Besides, I’ve already gotten what I came for. I know this place isn’t a cult. Bertha is more than fine—better than me, if anything—and I’ve got enough footage for the video. There’s no real reason to stay.