Page 148 of Wicked Sins

I crest the top of the landing, and stare down the hallway. There’s a glow coming out from under the study door.

Thump.

Something else now. Softer, more organic. A girl’s voice.

My spine straightens. My feet no longer drag. There’s a pounding in my chest, and it’s real and alive and electrifying.

Horror.

Dread.

I’m too late…again.

My fingers close around the door handle.

See so much more. No door. No door.

Except…there’s nothing to see.

The study is empty.

They’re not here anymore.

But the shutter’s open again, and it keeps thumping, thumping, goddamn thumping.

I hurry over. The letter opener is lying on the floor. I take it up almost absently and jam it in place, trapping the shutter closed. The window is still open, but I don’t give a fuck about that.

Where is she?

Where is my Candy?

The fire pops, drawing my eye. But she’s not there either, is she?

Soon as the answer comes to me, my eyes fix on the stand beside the fireplace.

* * *

What happened?Where did my mind go?

I’m standing in the doorway of my father’s bedroom. My eyes are open, but I wasn’t watching. Not until right now.

Couldn’t have been. Else I wouldn’t still be standing here.

Metal taints the air; copper from the blood, brass from my hot, sweaty hand as I pad closer to the bed on silent feet.

It’s heavy in my hand, that poker.

My father grunts—an animal in heat, nothing more…so much less. So caught up, he doesn’t know I’m here.

He’s older, stronger. The perfect version of me.

At least, hewas.

I swing.

The poker tears through the air.

The impact travels up my arm like a wave.

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