Page 119 of The Masks and the Dancer (Their Obsession 2)

“Fine.” Striding over to the centre of the floor, Two takes up her starting position and waits for One to count her in.

“Five, six, seven, eight.” One’s fingers fly over the piano keys as Two begins to dance, and whilst she starts off well, it isn’t long before she stumbles over her steps, cursing as she hits the floor once again.

One slams her hands onto the keys in disgust, the sound reverberating around the hall. “What is wrong with you, Two? You need to get your shit together and step up until Three decides to drag her arse back to work instead of moping about.”

“Three has stitches. Sheisn’tmoping about,” Christy snaps, her eyes flashing with anger.

One blows out a breath then stands, pushing back from the piano. “I really don’t know what all the fuss is about, it’s not as if the rest of us haven’t experienced a few stitches in our vaginas before. I’ve seen clients fuck her harder than Seven did at the dining table. Anyone would think—”

“That’s enough!” I shout, cutting One off.

She nods tightly, hiding the blaze of anger that flashes across her face behind another fake smile. Which is just as well because behind us, the door to the studio opens and the rest of the Numbers, including Three and Seven, enter.

“Master,” they each murmur in turn.

I can’t help but notice how Four and Eight give Christy a disparaging look, taking their place beside One and Two. Clearly there’s no love lost there. Three, Five, Six and Seven, however, react completely differently towards her. They each give her a warm smile that she returns in kind. Last to arrive are the triplets; Nine, Ten and Eleven. As usual they bring a childish vibe with them, giggling behind their hands as they enter the room, but instead of finding it mildly irritating like I usually do, it just makes me feel uncomfortable. I’ve turned a blind eye to their damage over the years, but that’s not something I can do anymore. There are many things that need fixing, but first this.

Coughing to clear my throat, I squeeze Christy’s hand, then let it go and walk into the centre of the room. “I asked you here today because—”

“Where’s Twelve?” Four asks, cutting me off and earning her a scowl that immediately silences her. I may have fought and gained control of my monster for Christy, but I’ll be fucked if I let Four disrespect me in such a manner, or any of the Numbers for that matter. She has the good grace to mumble her apology and I accept it way more graciously than I ever would’ve in the past. She’s got Christy to thank for that.

“Twelve is the reason I’ve brought you all here this morning,” I say, glancing around the room. My gaze falls on Five whose eyes flicker with acknowledgement. She dips her head giving me her silent support.

“How long will she be receiving punishment?” One asks, picking at her nails as though bored. “I really need her in good enough health so she can perform at the ball. I can’t afford to lose another Number.”

“Twelve isn’t receiving punishment,” I reply, locking eyes with her.

“Well if she hasn’t been in the dungeons with you, then where the hell has she been? We have a show to prepare for and she’s the first act, sheknowsthis!”

“Twelve is dead.”

The room descends into a deathly silence, punctuated by quiet sobs from Six.

“W—what do you mean, she’s dead?” One stutters, her face paling. I see her thoughts running rampant through her head.

“Leon is arranging her burial. She will be laid to rest in the formal gardens the day after tomorrow.”

“You killed her—?”

“No. Twelve hung herself. She took herownlife.”

“But why?”

I grit my jaw, pushing away the memory of that night. “She took something that didn’t belong to her and she knew what the consequences would be, so instead of facing them she hung herself.”

“What did shetakeexactly?” One’s gaze falls onto Christy with suspicion, as though this is all her fault. It gets my back up, and I can feel my temper fraying.

“Something that belonged tome. Something she coveted,” I reply, unwilling to give her the full story. I don’t need to explain myself to One, to any of the Numbers. Not about this.

“This has something to do with you, doesn’t it?” One accuses, focusing her attention back onto Christy, her dislike flaring.

“This hasnothingto do with Christy,” I interject.

“Christy?” One hisses, and the look she gives her is one of pure hate. Jealousy too. That is plain for everyone to see.

“Be very, very careful how you choose to continue, One.”

Christy reaches for me, her fingers tightening around mine. She’s afraid I’ll let my monster run rampant. I won’t. For her I’ll keep it chained, but that doesn’t mean I will allow her to be attacked so blatantly. One is pushing her fucking luck and I don’t have the same ties to her as Jakub does.

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