Lily felt dizzy from the compliment; it caught her that off guard. She knew he was mocking her; she recognized the repetition of her words. But she also knew he meant it nicely. Maybe almost in a brotherly way. She felt it so much, she almost had to lie down right there, her head in his lap. But that’s when she heard Silas’s voice roll up from the beach.

“Boo-yah! That’s a cup. Heating up, bitches!”

She stood and immediately fell back.

“I’ll go get him,” Philip said, lifting her legs onto the part of the swing his body had vacated. Lily nodded, and then there was nothing.

Nothing, that is, until she woke up upstairs, thirsty and alone.

PEYOTE

WHEN WE ARRIVED ON Jason Culver’s lawn, the sun had drained any remaining green from the grass, replacing it with more of its own white-hot yellow. Everything around us was long past water, ready, instead, to be set on fire.

I wiped sweat from my forehead and fought the urge to lick it as I rang the doorbell. That’s how much I miss salt.

“Mr. Culver, can I have a word with you about your case?”

I heard shuffling and the sudden absence of voices on the television before the door opened a crack.

“What the—oh, right. Yeah, come on in.”

The screen door stuttered to a stop behind me as I entered the musty darkness inside.

“Who’s this guy?” Jason asked, popping open a beer. I licked my lips at the sound. What can I say? I want to taste everything you’ve got.

“Hiya,” Trey said, shoving his hand between us until Jason took it. “I’m Trey Hardbody, Peyote’s supervisor. And I am just as disappointed in him as you are.”

Trey pulled out a chair with a scrape and sat.

“I am so disappointed that I have come here myself to observe Mr. Trip and assess his work. He’s supposed to be teaching our dear Ms. Ganon here, the newest member of our work family, but I’m worried she won’t possibly learn a lick from a nincompoop like him.”

“I haven’t been—” Jason started, looking my way, puzzled.

“Please, no need to protect him. I’m here now, and we will find your target. But I would take one of those beers,” Trey went on. “Unless, do you have Jäger?”

Jason shook his head, but he passed Trey a bottle.

“As I was saying,” I redirected, “my colleagues and I just wanted to ask you a few more questions so we can get to the bottom of this.” I looked at Cal, and she nodded.

“Yes, exactly. As Mr. Hardbody explained, I am in training. So I would love it if you would humor me and just tell us a little bit more about the man who has what you want to find. You know, to help with the learning process.”