Page 25 of House of Soot

Mom cups my face, forcing me to look at her. “I’m sure they have precautions in place. After all, they know what happened before too. You need to have faith in the Keans and those they have to protect them.”

I try. I really try. But all I can think about is how quickly happiness can turn to ash. It seems like forever before I look out of the house. There is still a lot of smoke, but no fires. The house is intact.

I have to know if Blaise is alright. I slip away while Mom is resting in her room.

"Blaise!" My voice gets lost in the mayhem of shouts. Guards sprint past me, weapons drawn. "Has anyone seen Blaise?"

A flash of movement catches my eye. Blond hair and strong build. My heart leaps. Could it be him?

"Blaise!" I start toward him, but strong hands grab my shoulders.

"You shouldn’t be out here. Get inside.” Mr. Jones, one of Mr. Kean’s guards who works with Blaise, spins me around.

“Is Blaise okay?” I resist his effort to push me back.

“He’s doing his job.” His grip tightens. "This is an active situation. We can't have you wandering around." His tone leaves no room for argument. He even waves over a younger guard I don't recognize. “Get her to the cottage.”

The guard takes my arm, steering me away from the chaos, but I resist, tugging my arm free.

"But—”

“Seriously. You’ll make it worse for him, for all of us. Get the fuck back!” Jones barks.

I don’t want to make it worse, so I let the guard lead me back.

"Stay inside," the guard says when we reach the door. "Lock up."

The door closes behind me with a final click.

“Jenna?” Mom’s worried voice carries from her bedroom.

“I’m here.” I go to her.

“I’ve been calling. Did you leave?” She looks terrified.

“I had to check on Blaise.”

"Don't ever scare me like that again."

I sit with her, taking her hand. “I’m sorry.”

The night drags on as I wait to get the all-clear, but it doesn’t come. I try to go to bed, but I stare at my ceiling watching the time drift by. Two AM. Three. Four. Sleep doesn’t come. Every time I close my eyes, I see flames, Blaise running toward danger instead of away from it.

Dawn creeps through my window. I drag myself out of bed and splash cold water on my face, but it doesn't help. The mirror shows dark circles under my eyes, skin pale as milk. I look as haunted as I feel.

The kettle whistles as I make Mom's morning tea.

"You should eat something." Mom appears in her robe.

I shake my head. "I can't."

"Just toast? For me?"

I don’t want to add to her worry or stress, so I make toast, but I force down only two bites before pushing the plate away. Why has no one come to let us know all is well? Why hasn’t Blaise come to check on me? Are they all dead?

“I need to go see what’s going on.” I put my coat on.

“Don’t get in their way, sweetheart.”

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