Page 76 of Wicked Beasts
“No,” I say firmly as I swing my legs over the side.
I stagger slightly, my vision wavering, the world tilting just enough to make me feel unsteady. My throat still feels raw when I swallow, and I vaguely wonder if it’s bleeding. I clutch the doorknob for support, taking a breath to steady myself before opening the door. The hallway stretches before me, and with slow, deliberate steps, I carefully make my way with my hand gliding along the wall, following the sounds of raised voices drifting from the parlor.
The door is cracked open, and the only word I catch is “Tristan.” My heart races as I shove the door open without thinking.
“What have you done with him?” I demand, the rasp in my voice adding a tinge of desperation. I see him sitting there, speaking to Mortimer. Mrs. Wong’s steps stop behind me as I charge into the room. Dr. Shadow lounges on the couch, the brim of his top hat casting a shadow over his face. It’s as if he’spurposely trying to shield himself from recognition. From light. I recall the shape of it, a dark silhouette drifting just beneath the surface of the ocean, and suddenly, I’m drowning again. The memory chokes me, but I blink it away as quickly as it comes.
“Why do you cling to him?” His voice is cool, detached, and yet, he doesn't shift. I can't see his eyes.
“Please…” My voice falters on a plea I can’t even finish.
“Do you not care forme, little rose?” he asks, his tone soft yet heavy, like a whisper of a threat. He still doesn’t let me see his face.
“You tried tokillme,” I say, my words sharp and raw.
“I tried to kill—” The muscle in his jaw ticks as he clenches his teeth. “I thought you were Cordelia.” I faintly remember the mention of her name, seeing the threads of her golden hair clouding the water, but there is no way she was there. It’s impossible—isn’t it?
Dr. Shadow runs a finger along the rim of his top hat, pausing before he lifts it off his head. Until that moment, the brim had concealed his face, casting shadows that hid most of his features. As he removes it, the dim light reveals his injuries—dark circles beneath his hazel eyes, a bruised and swollen cheek, a nose that looks painfully fractured, a deep cut in his jaw.
“What happened to you?” I ask, my voice laced with a mix of curiosity and concern.Why do I care? He tried to kill me.
“Manu,” he mutters, his eyes flickering briefly toward the gardener, though he doesn’t quite meet his gaze. “Manuhappened.”
I’m suddenly aware of Manu’s presence, but I don’t bother turning to look at him. Instead, I drop to my knees in front of Dr. Shadow, taking his hand in mine. As I touch his coarse hands, I try not to think of the way they were wrapped around my throat or the other things they’ve done to me. I study his face, the flickering candlelight throwing shadows across hishandsome features. He still makes my heart race despite what he’s done, but now, it’s like the salty water washed away my former delusions. I see the darkness in him for what it truly is.
He’s a monster, a wicked beast.
“Please,” I whisper, my voice barely a breath. “Tell me where he is.”
“He’s going to kill me,” he replies, his voice low and desperate.
“Maybe that’s what you deserve.”
His brows raise slightly, a mix of surprise and defeat crossing his face. He leans back against the sofa, his hand slipping from mine. The words came out harsher than I meant, but a strange sense of relief washes over me.
Maybe I did mean it.
I shake away the thought. If Dr. Shadow is concerned Tristan will kill him, that means he’s still alive.
Without another word, Dr. Shadow rises from the couch. He places his hat back on his head, tilting it just enough to hide his face from view. He doesn’t look at me as he steps around me, his fingers adjusting his sleeves that had been rolled up to his elbows.
He walks to the door with quiet, measured steps then pauses, turning to look first at Manu, then at Mrs. Wong, and lastly, at Mortimer. Mortimer’s eyes are always heavy with that same sullen weight; he had been so silent, I had forgotten his presence until now.
I had been too distracted.
My gaze snaps back to Dr. Shadow, and in that moment, it almost feels as though he's offering a silent goodbye.
He lowers his head slightly, a gesture that feels more like an acknowledgment than a farewell.
“Miss Rose,” he says softly, his voice barely rising above a whisper.
He leaves without saying another word, and Mrs. Wong quietly steps aside to allow him to pass.
A tight tug in my chest urges me to chase after him, but I remain frozen, rooted to the floor. My gaze shifts to Manu, who refuses to meet my eyes. His beefy arms are crossed over his chest as I turn to Mortimer, whose stare feels like it’s going to zap my soul through my eyes.
This isn’t my fault, and yet it feels like it is.
Mrs. Wong gently pulls me up from the floor.
