“T have to go,” I snap, hanging up the phone on Jay and immediately answering the call. “Daniel. So nice to hear from you,” I greet. Like a blanket being thrown over a fire, my tone is cool and collected. “Zack, sorry to call so unexpectedly. I wanted to ask something of you.” I lean back in my chair, rolling my neck, the muscles cracking loudly. My eyes never stray from the computer screen displaying the picture of the little boy who was killed in the last video. Pll never forget him, but gluing my eyes to his face reminds me that there’s more out there in the same situation. And right now, that reminder is the only thing keeping me from going ballistic. I need my wits. If I lose it now, I'll ruin what I’ve been working so hard for. “What can I do for you?” “Consider it a preliminary initiation. We have our hearts set on what we'll be having for dinner this Saturday, and it’s really special. We want to make sure this goes off without a hitch, so Friday, we decided to have ourselves an appetizer, if you will.” My brows crease, and a pit of dread forms in my stomach, like the sky opening up and releasing a torrential downpour on a drowning city. “Without a hitch?” I repeat, my tone dropping. “Don’t take it personally. Most men who are initiated have been around for years. We're all taking a gamble here, so my superiors thought it best we have dinner beforehand.” The Society is testing me. My mind is already racing with how I’m going to prevent a child from dying in front of my face without killing them all. “Is that so?” I say, my tone intrigued. “All I ask is Friday night, you meet me at a dinner party I’m hosting.” Friday is two days from now. My head spins as I try to figure out what Dan is planning. It’s something evil, I know that much. ““What’s the purpose of this appetizer?” If Dan has a problem with my questioning, he doesn’t make it known. And frankly, I don’t give a fuck. Feeling the urge come over me, I switch my screen to a live feed of security cameras I have set up around Addie’s property. She’s home, and Daya's car is still parked outside of her house. Later, I’1l have to go over more training with her. I’ve gone over several things she should do if ever kidnapped but I want to make sure Addie is fully prepared. Not because I plan on ever letting her be taken, but because I’m a realistic and logical person and understand that I can’t control everything.