chapter 8(2)

Dinner was awkward. Valen and Kalen only spoke about Valarian until Kalen helped Valen do the dishes while I sat on the couch with Valarian; we were watching some kid's show while I tried not to listen. Around 8 p.m., Valen got a call and walked outside to take it before returning, saying he had to head out. Kalen also said he should head home since it was a school night. Valen was gone for hours, and eventually, Valarian went to bed. After reading to him, tucking him in, and getting into my own pjs, I only hear my phone ringing in the living room after I close the door; the call is from Zoe—it’s unusual for her to call so late. When I answer and hear her frantic voice, I know instantly something is wrong; the sirens in the background make my heart thump in my chest. “Everly,” she sobs into the phone. All the air is sucked from my lungs at her words and tone. “Zoe? What is it?” “Can you hear me?” she asks. “Zoe?” “It's gone, Everly! It's gone!” “What's gone?” “The hotel! It spread so f