Rea stared at her phone, her fingers tightening around it.
Jaxon.
Of all people.
Aster was going to lose his mind when he found out.
She glanced around the school courtyard, as if expecting Jaxon to suddenly appear. But there was nothing—just students eating, laughing, completely unaware that her world had just tilted.
Her phone buzzed again.
Jaxon: Don't ignore me, Jones. Meet me after school. We need to talk.
Rea hesitated.
Everything about this screamed bad idea.
But she typed back anyway.
Rea: Where?
A pause. Then—
Jaxon: Old train station. 5 PM. Come alone.
Rea exhaled sharply.
Right. Because that didn't sound like a trap at all.
---
Rea found Aster after class, leaning against his locker like he owned the damn hallway. His usual scowl was firmly in place.
"We need to talk," she said, keeping her voice low.
Aster barely glanced at her. "Let me guess. Another revelation about how much our lives suck?"
Rea shoved her phone at him. "Read."
Aster's eyes flickered over the messages.
Then his whole body tensed.
He looked at her sharply. "You're not actually considering this."
Rea crossed her arms. "Of course, I am."
Aster's expression darkened. "Rea—"
"He's asking to talk. Not fight. That's a first."
Aster scoffed. "Or he's setting you up."
Rea sighed. "Maybe. But we won't know unless I go."
Aster clenched his jaw, looking like he wanted to punch something. "I don't trust him."
"You don't have to," Rea said. "But I need to hear what he has to say."
Aster ran a hand through his hair. "Then I'm coming with you."
Rea shook her head. "He said alone."
Aster's laugh was sharp. "Yeah, and I really don't give a damn."
Rea hesitated.
Jaxon was already unpredictable. If he showed up and saw Aster there, things could go south fast.
"I'll go first," she said carefully. "But stay close. If anything feels off, then you step in."
Aster exhaled through his nose, clearly not happy.
"Fine." His eyes narrowed. "But if he tries anything, I will break his nose."
Rea smirked. "Noted."
---
The old train station was practically abandoned. Rusted tracks stretched out endlessly, weeds creeping through the cracks.
Rea stood near the entrance, her hands in her pockets, keeping her breathing steady.
Footsteps.
She turned just as Jaxon stepped out from behind an old metal beam.
He looked… tired. More than usual. His dark eyes were sharp, but there was something else behind them. Something she couldn't quite place.
"Jones."
"Jaxon."
He studied her for a moment. "You actually came."
"You said you needed to talk."
Jaxon exhaled. "I do."
Rea waited.
Jaxon's jaw tightened, like he was fighting himself on what to say next. Then—
"I'm going to kill him."
Rea's stomach flipped. "Collaway?"
Jaxon nodded. His expression was hard. Cold. "I don't care what it takes. I don't care who stands in my way. I'm going to end him."
Rea hesitated. "And you're telling me this because…?"
Jaxon's eyes darkened. "Because you and Aster need to stay out of my way."
Rea narrowed her eyes. "Or what?"
Jaxon's voice was quiet, but deadly.
"Or I won't care if you get caught in the crossfire."