Page 56 of The Masks and the Dancer (Their Obsession 2)

“And you didn’t say a word, why is that, Renard?” Jakub asks, his voice darkening.

“Because I watched your father strip the three of you of every last shred of goodness, and I didnothingto prevent him,” he says with great effort. “I’m as guilty for who you’ve become as he is. So, when Christy arrived, and I saw how she was beginning to affect you, I knew she was the one the old woman was talking about. I had hoped I’d witness your transformation before I died, but alas it isn’t meant to be.”

Leon lowers his gun, looking from Jakub to Konrad. “Now do you believe?”

Konrad scrapes a hand over his ashen face and Jakub stares at me, but it isn’t either of them who breaks the silence, it’s Renard. Meeting my gaze he gives me a small smile.

“Thank you.”

“For what?” I whisper.

“Forsurviving. ”

And with those final words, Renard takes his last breath.

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