Page 30 of Baratta's Darkness

“Does HE know?”

“Yes, he was here when they arrived.”

“Why didn’t either of you tell me?”

“Because I didn’t want you to know.”

“Why? I can protect you.”

“That is why.” He gives me a confused look, “I can protect myself, Blood. I proved it when I took out our Step Monster along with our shitty ass mother.”

“You shouldn’t have had to do that by yourself. I should have been there.” He pulls me into a hug. “I should have done it, not you. I should have been there to protect you.”

“Taking a life brings darkness into your soul. The darkness grows with each life you take.” a voice says from the hallway.

We both look and ask, “What?” at the same time.

Baratta laughs, “You are definitely siblings.”

He walks the rest of the way into the room, sitting down in a chair. “What is happening?”

I look from my brother to Baratta. “Blood found some pictures.”

“I asked you to tell him.”

“I was planning on it; I didn’t want him to find out this way.”

Blood interrupts our stare down, “Baratta, why didn’t you tell me someone is after my sister?”

“She begged me not to, besides he isn’t after her. He’s after me.”

“What?” we both say at the same time again. My jaw is hanging open, I don’t know what to say, but Blood has plenty to say.

“What have you dragged my sister into?”

“I haven’t dragged her into anything. He’s been tracking her for two years. He wants to take me out, but I think he has other plans for Fiona.”

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