Page 25 of Of Lies and Shadows

“What do you say?” she says, glancing at Lucia. “Should we teach your dad the monster prayer? That way, he can say it with you when I’m not here.”

I don’t like the way that sounds. Neither does Lucia; her little face pinches, her brows drawing tight.

“It’s better if we all know it, no?” Alice adds quickly, as if catching herself.

I don’t say anything. But inside? I know exactly what I want. I want her to always be here.

Alice picks up Lucia’s hand, then reaches instinctively for mine.

I don’t think she meant anything by it—it’s a soft, natural gesture like all of hers are.

But the moment her fingers brush mine—long, slender, and too delicate for this world, I feel it everywhere. My hand closes around hers reflexively, engulfing her completely.

Something twists in my chest. And something else stirs below the belt, unwanted and undeniable.

She must feel it too. Because a second later, she tries to pull away.

But I tighten my grip. No. Not letting go.

Herthroat works in a swallow before she clears it.

“Okay, let’s go. Ready?” She nods at Lucia, then begins, reciting softly, like a lullaby.

“Monsters, monsters, big and tall,

Don’t scare me—just guard us all.

Watch my bed and guard the light,

Keep me safe all through the night.”

I blink, thrown by the quiet sweetness of it. By the way Lucia whispers it with her eyes closed and by the warmth of Alice’s hand still caught in mine.

I tighten my hold again without thinking.

“Come on, Papa,” Lucia whispers, eyes cracking open. “Say it too.”

Ah. Right. What was it again?

Alice repeats the lines gently, and I echo them back—stiff at first, awkward, like I’m reading from a script I don’t quite understand.

But Lucia doesn’t seem to notice. She’s smiling sleepily, already halfway to dreamland.

When we finish, she lets out a content little sigh. “No monsters tonight.”

Alice leans down to kiss her forehead. “Not with the ones protecting you in the dark.”

Lucia giggles as I lean down, brushing her hair back and pressing my lips to her temple. Something I haven’t done in… too long.

“Sleep, stellina,” I murmur.

Alice smooths the blanket up to her chin, then walks to the door and holds it open for me. I glance back once more before stepping into the hallway.

She follows me out, pulling the door gently shut behind us.

And when I turn to her, I really look at her.

Not the woman who handles my children. Not the employee I shouldn’t be touching. Not even the threat I should be watching more closely.

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