A Vault of Sins by Sarah Harian Read Free Book Online

not filled with fucking joy every second for making it out of the Compass Room in one piece. For getting to live longer.” She stares down at her clouded, empty glass and I motion for the bartender to refill it. “I’m trapped at home. I tried school for a couple of weeks and couldn’t do it. I thought it would be better if I leave, but I’m stuck here too.” She extends her arms on the grimy countertop and clenches her hands into fists. The sleeves of her thermal are rolled up, revealing her silver monitor, and something that she didn’t have when I saw her last. A new tattoo on the inside of her wrist.
    As I reach out and touch it, she doesn’t flinch away, but watches my fingers trace the outside of the key ring. Jace’s trigger object.
    Valerie lost the one person who loved her unconditionally, and it only happened months ago. The grief must still be so raw for her.
    She’s trapped. She’s grieving. “You can’t be alone right now.”
    She rolls her eyes and pulls her wrist away from me. “I’m fine.”
    “I don’t give a flying fuck if you think you’re fine.” And then I remember why I’m here. This can’t be a coincidence. “There’s someone else who feels the same way.”
    She furrows her eyebrows. “What the hell are you talking about?”
    I tell her about the forum and the strange message. “It wasn’t you, was it?”
    “Please. I don’t have the energy to pull off a stunt like that.” She looks around. “And I don’t think any of these bastards are your mystery man. I recognize all of them. They’re regulars.”
    “I think they wanted me to meet
you
here.”
    Valerie sips her drink and makes a face. “Why’d they want that?”
    “Where are you staying?”
    “A shit hotel. What’s it to you?”
    I can’t believe that I’m about to suggest this. After everything I did to get Casey away from me. But I can’t leave her, not in this bar, in this part of town.
    “Stay with me.”
    Her eyes darken.
    “Just for a week or so, until you get on your feet. I have a place in the middle of nowhere.”
    She takes another sip from the drink I bought her. “No thanks. We’re not supposed to be near each other, remember?”
    “This is more important than court.” I needed to get away from Casey to save his chances, but I think I need to be close to Valerie to save her life. It’s worth the risk.
    She cocks her head in a mocking manner. “Does that mean you miss me? Or are you just playing into what a stranger on the Internet wants you to do?”
    “A little of both.” I finish off the rest of my drink and wince as I swallow. The stranger on the Internet . . . I can’t think of anyone on the planet who’d lead me to Valerie. Maybe Rebel_W is an angel.
    She thinks for a moment. “I’ll make you a deal.”
    “I’m listening.”
    “You get a tattoo with me in the next few days, and I’ll stay with you.”
    “That’s your deal?” I cry, pushing a five across the counter for the tip.
    She grins smugly and extends her arms. “Take it or leave it.”

Posted by DoubleJay: Holy shit¸ you guys see this? I’m posting the article.
    From RNC NEWS BLOG:
    Neal and Kayla Glaser, the parents of Jacinda Glaser, a deceased candidate of Compass Room C, have come forward to state that they believe that Evalyn Ibarra, Casey Hargrove, and Valerie Crane told the truth during their trial against the Division of Judicial Technology.
    Neal Glaser announced to the press Friday afternoon: “I believe there’s a reason as to why an anonymous source leaked to the press that my daughter died due to a Compass Room malfunction and the surviving candidates also argue this theory. My wife and I will support them, regardless of the outcome of their trial with the Division of Judicial Technology.”
    Gemma Branam, creator and overseer of Room C, has yet to address Mr. Glaser’s statement.

6
    It’s the middle of the night by the time we arrive back home. The gravel crunches beneath my tires as I pull