“I don’t know, Ree. I don’t think you can tell them their son is still alive, but that he’s a monster.” Anger edged his voice and his hand tightened on her arm. “I didn’t think about it until we got back to the house, but he started partying when he was hanging out with Michael and Shannon. It’s all starting to add up. The drugs and drinking could have been a cover-up for the Dark Ones’ influence.”

“You mean he was something like Michael and Shannon? What did Roland call them? Darklings? He wanted to be a Dark One?” Acid churned in her stomach.

“I don’t know, Ree. He may not have fully understood what they were offering. Who knows what they told him.”

She lay there quietly, lost in her own thoughts until she realized Paden’s breathing had become slow and even. She glanced back up at him and smiled when she saw his mouth hanging open.

For a moment she was overwhelmed with gratitude that her friends were with her and helping to fight this evil curse. They made all the difference. Without these people, she would be nothing but a lost girl, but with her friends she might actually have a chance.