While Lily clambered for the knife she must have dropped, I frantically searched the concrete floor for another weapon while scooting as far away from her as I could get. One of my hands met metal, and I gripped it, identifying the object as the sprayer end of a hose.
Knife in hand once again, my attacker stalked forward, that creepy, cold smile still on her face. “I’m almost sad I poisoned your mother, because killing you like this will be so much more rewarding.”
I sucked in a harsh breath, but I didn’t have a chance to further process her confession. She hurtled toward me, the silver glint of the blade aimed at my chest spurring me to make one last, desperate attempt to protect myself.
Right before she reached me, I lifted the nozzle and sprayed a heavy stream of water directly into her eyes. Lily screeched and batted at her face like I was dousing her in acid instead of water.
“What the fuck is going on?” Hayle’s voice suddenly boomed from the doorway, and if I’d been standing, my knees would have buckled in relief.
Chapter Two
Hayle
The scene before me was like something out of a nightmare. Except stranger. Much, much stranger.
My mother shrieked while Thea sprayed water in her face with the garden hose. It was the most confusing sight I’d ever witnessed, even without the added what the fuck of Mom hovering over Thea, who was lying on the ground, her skirt riding up to mid-thigh.
At the sound of my voice, my mother twisted toward me, and the water finally shut off. I jogged to them, my thoughts scattered. I wasn’t accustomed to having trouble processing information. But there was absolutely no way to make sense of this situation.
“Hayle.” Mom threw herself into my arms and began sobbing against my chest. “She attacked me out of nowhere. I don’t know what’s wrong with her.”
An expression of pure incredulity passed over Thea’s face as she put the sprayer down and wiped at the water soaking her clothes and legs.
I instinctively understood that I was supposed to be angry with Thea. That I was supposed to defend my mother and berate the girl I…uh, cared about. But I couldn’t bring myself to do it.
Because I, more than anyone, knew that Mom wasn’t completely stable. And whatever had happened here, I didn’t believe that Thea had attacked her unprovoked. She wouldn’t do that.
Tristin reached Thea’s side, snapping me out of my wandering thoughts. With the almost unbelievable chaos we’d walked into, I’d totally forgotten about his presence.
He knelt by her side. “Holy shit. Are you okay?”
Thea nodded. “Yeah. Yeah, I’m okay.” She sounded like she was trying to convince herself as much as him.
As he helped her slowly rise to her feet, she winced with the movement. Had she reinjured her leg? I itched to go to her, but my mother was gripping onto my arms so tightly, I had a feeling I’d have to pry her off with a crowbar.
“What happened?” Tristin asked, slipping an arm around Thea’s waist to anchor her to him. And, yeah, I wished that was me.
She looked from him to me and then down at the water-stained concrete floor. “It’s, um, complicated.”
Mom stopped crying suddenly and peered up at me. “I already told you want happened. That girl attacked me.” She dug her nails into my biceps. “You believe me, right?”
Shit.
I’d always had a soft spot for my mother, and I’d thought it was a good thing. I mean, wasn’t loving and supporting your mother a Commandment or something? But I also knew she was capable of emotional blackmail, and that may very well be what was happening right now.
I glanced over her shoulder to Tristin, using my eyes to plead for help. I couldn’t do this—couldn’t choose between my mother and Thea.
He must have gotten the message, because he suggested, “Why don’t we go inside and talk this through? I’m sure there’s a reasonable explanation.”
Was he really sure? Because I sincerely doubted that whatever explanation was given would be in the least bit reasonable.
“I’ll make some tea,” Mom offered, finally releasing my arms.
But Thea didn’t respond. Didn’t even move. If I didn’t know better, I might think she was in shock.
Tristin stepped away from her to retrieve her crutches. After grabbing both, he paused and reached for something else. He held up what looked like a black hoodie and asked Thea, “Is this yours?”
She laughed, sounding half-hysterical. “Yes, though it’s been