Page 81 of Madness Behind the Mask
My smile spreading, my cocking twitching against my thigh, I reach the bottom step and stop.
I don’t need to touch the door to know that doing so will most likely kill me.This is their safe room, and the best defense is a lethal attack.
So I lean my shoulder against the wall adjacent to it and cross my arms and ankles.
“Sau, love,” I coo. “Come on out of that room, or I will kill everyone at the portalwhile your beloved Caden is preoccupied.”
TWENTY-Nine
HER
14AUGUST1947
My head jerks up at the sound of the voice coming through the door. It’s a deep, rich timbre that causes me to shiver – a statement, not a threat. Aleric didn’t just retreatfromhere, his ego bruised, his plans disrupted. He went to hit us somewhere else.
My legs shaking, I stand. I can’t be the cause of any more deaths. There are thirty-odd people protecting the portal at all times. Some witches, some humans that don’tevenknow the significance of the area they defend.
How many of themhave families?
Wives?
Children?
I look at Molly and Bonnie and Ryo behind me. My two girls are frozen with their eyes on the door. My little boy is quiet for now, but his face is starting to bunch.He’s about to cry, and my heart breaks asI think of all the children who’llsob for hours, wanting their daddies who will never come. Because of me. Because I hid behind a door for ‘safety’ even thoughIwanted to take my own life not even two months ago.It’s madness.
I turn back for the door.And this madness has to end.
Antonio wanted peace once.
Maybe Aleric does too.
Deep down, somewhere, he has to be fed up with all this fightinglike I am.Maybe I can reach him.
And if not...maybe my death will end this madness. Maybe I can bring somegoodto the world.
“Sau,” Katie hisses as I reach for the door. “Don’t.”
“He can’t get in if I step out, right?” I ask, my hand on the knob. “You and my kids will be safe?”
“You step out that door, and Aleric won’t have to kill me becauseCadenwilldo ithimself.”
I turn to look at her over my shoulder, wondering if she’stellingthe truth or just a lie to get me to stay. I know it is the smart choice to not open the door, to not even entertain what Aleric wants, but it isn’t therightchoice. It isn’t right that I’ll get to live when all those other people,mypeople, those of the Shadow Domain my family has sworn to protect, will suffer in my place.
“I’m sorry,” I say as I release the door handle and take a step back. “You’re right. I’m not thinking clearly. I don’t want you to get hurt either.”
She relaxes – only barely. She’s not comfortable with Aleric on the other side of that door, but she’s happy I’m being smart.
And I am...
I take another step away from the door, and she turns her attention back to it. She can’t attack him with her hypnosis while the wards are up. They wouldn’t be much use if magic could get through them.
“It’s going to be fine,” I tell my kids as I look Bonnie inthe eye. “He can’t come in. Right, Katie?”
“That’s right,” she says. “Your father strengthened these wards himself. Aleric can’t get in even if he burns the whole house down. We’re safe.”
I nod, thankful. Then I take a deep breath…
And turn into my shadows before Katie can make me want to stay with herhypnosis.
