I haven’t had time to decide how I’m going to approach the subject of the Eurydice with him. There’s no way to avoid it, since that’s the only reason Roth’s keeping me around. Still, I’d like to have the advantage walking into this and figure out why Roth wants Anora, because I’m still certain it isn’t for the same reason the Order does.

The second message is from Jacobi and was sent around four in the morning when I was with Anora. All it says is When you wake up, come over. I found something.

Those words settle in my stomach like a stone.

“What’s wrong, Shy?” Mom asks.

I shove my phone in my pocket and clear my throat. Suddenly, I have a headache. “Nothing. I’m…uh…just going to head to Jacobi’s.”

Mom studies me a moment. I bite back the instinct to ask when she decided she didn’t trust what I say.

“Be safe,” she says as I make my way to the door.

I head to Jacobi’s and send a quick text when I’m in his driveway.

“Shy!”

I look up to see Jacobi’s little sister, Lydia, run from the house.

“Hey, little one!” I climb out of my Jeep and capture her in a hug, spinning her around. She giggles, and I place her on her feet. She grabs onto my shirt and pulls.

“Come play with me!”

Jacobi saves me from disappointing my number one fan.

“He’s not here to play, Lydia.” Jacobi emerges from the house, dressed in a pair of jeans and a school hoodie. “Mom says come inside.”

“But—” she tries to argue.

“Not now, Lydia.” Jacobi’s annoyed, and Lydia turns her gaze to me.

“I’ll come back soon,” I assure her.

She narrows her eyes and puts her tiny hands on her hips. “Pinkie promise?”

I smile and hold out my pinkie. “Pinkie promise.”

She accepts and bounces off toward the house, sticking her tongue out at Jacobi as she goes. He tries not to laugh as he climbs into the passenger side of my Jeep.

“She’s smitten with you.”

“She’s five. She loves anyone who will play with her.”

“I don’t know, man. You have a gift.”

I drive aimlessly, and for a while, neither one of us talk. I think we both miss this—the ease of a ride down country roads—but this sense of freedom doesn’t last long, and soon the realities of the last few days creep back in. I need to tell him about my strange connection with Anora, but I’m not sure how to start.

“Roth’s coming back,” I say instead.

“What are you going to tell him?”

“I don’t know. Some version of the truth. He won’t believe me if I say I haven’t found anything at all.”

Jacobi moves uncomfortably in his seat.

“What?”