Hale took me home that evening. Once we were sure Matt was in the clear, he suggested that I would probably be more comfortable back at the apartment, and I agreed. It was overwhelming to be at the house with all the activity of his inner circle. I had helped to clean and sanitize, though the coppery tang of blood still seemed to fill my nose, even out of the house.

The car ride home was quiet. Hale chose to take the Hellcat back, claiming he was going to swap it for his ...