Page 117 of Semblance

Sinister thought about it for a moment and then shook his head. “I would have considered it but Calisto doesn’t get off so easily. She’s the guiltiest of them all.” He then turned to one of his henchmen and barked out an order. “Burn him.”

I dropped to my knees and watched in horror as the demon-faced henchmen doused my best friend in gasoline. The way Justin was writhing and screaming was agonizing to watch. I wanted to save him but all I could do was drop to my knees and beg Justin to forgive me for getting him killed.

From afar I heard Shadow shouting, but his words faded into the background. All I heard was the splashing of gasoline and Justin’s muffled screams.

“I’m sorry, oh God, I’m so sorry.”

Sinister laughed at me. “You must be mistaken girl. God’s not here right now. There is me however and my cigarette lighter.” The pad of his thumb flicked the metallic lighter, sparking a flame.

I tried to lunge for the lighter but I was too slow and it found its way to Justin’s pyre. Both the kindle on the ground and Justin erupted into a blanket of flames.

My screams were hysterical and echoed throughout the auditorium while my insides turned into liquid. The sickness in my stomach started off as nausea but by the time it reached the back of my throat, it tasted like poison.

“Turn away Aria, turn away,” I heard Shadow calling from behind me. “Don’t look at Justin.”

I didn’t. My eyes were focused on Sinister instead and I stared at the man with such a hatred that could make even the Devil quiver.

Eventually Justin’s screams stopped. He was gone.

“When you are ready, you’ll be taken to see Calisto,” Sinister said, taking his leave. The crowd in the auditorium began to disperse as well. I wished for every person who tookpleasure in watching Justin die to suffer.

I wanted to kill them all.

I felt Shadow’s warm touch as he lifted me off the ground and held me.

“I’m so sorry,” I heard him whisper.

I should have been crying but I had no more tears left in me. I was all cried out.

So instead of sadness, I felt hate.

“I know how you feel now Shadow,” I whispered. “I know why revenge is so important to you.”

Shadow shook his head. “Don’t end up like me. I am flawed and I am miserable. Let me obsess about revenge for the two of us.”

“We’ll get him, won’t we?” I asked.

“I’ll kill him,” Shadow replied. “I promise you.”

The heavy footsteps of Sinister’s guards surrounded us. “Come on, let’s go,” one of them said.

“Go to hell,” I cursed.

“No thanks,” he replied as he jammed his gun into the back of Shadow’s head. “Now if we’re done slinging meaningless insults, I believe there’s a whore you both wanted to see.”

As we left the stage, my eyes gravitated towards Justin’s body. I could only wonder what explanation would be given to his family about his horrific death. He always spoke fondly of his parents and his sister, but because of me they’ll never see him again.

The doors to the auditorium closed behind us and with it I was leaving behind my dreams of performing. After enduring that nightmare, how could I ever think about touching a piano again?

Today, my desireto play music died along with my best friend.

#

Chapter Thirty-Three

“Four,” Shadow muttered underneath his breath before shaking his head. “Fuck.”

For a moment his eyes flashed to the direction of one of the demon-faced guards in front of us. It took me only a second to realize what he was getting at.

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