Page 213 of Chandelier Enthralled
My throat tightened, and I clenched my fists, ready to fight him.
“Don’t do anything foolish,” Jewel shouted at me.
There was too much distance for me to tackle him and grab the gun. I pivoted back to her. “Take me. Let her go.”
“How admirable,” said Jewel, her confidence back.
“I’m not afraid of you,” Willa called out.
I gestured to Willa, motioning for her not to say anything else.
I had been foolish to believe she would stay in the room. I knew she was brave and resilient, and that she wanted to save me as well as the world—at her own expense.
We were similar in that way…wanting to do the right thing, even at the expense of our own survival.
I should have waited until Cameron had Willa in his sights.
My stomach twisted into knots as I looked back at Jewel, seeing her smug face, her true ugliness. Being in her presence made me feel disgust, proving she was a creature of hate.
“I have to know,” said Willa.
She was staring toward the ocean, all fear gone, as though knowing something we didn’t. Her bravery was compelling.
“Know what?” Jewel stepped forward, taking back her power.
“What does the black apple mean?” asked Willa. “I saw a woman eating one in Pendulum.”
“That’s what you want to ask me?” Jewel was astonished. “Of all the things you might want to know.”
Willa gave a nod.
I glanced behind her, wanting, no, needing, to rip that man apart, but one wrong move and he might pull the trigger, ending the life of the only woman I’ve ever truly loved.
Our future had seemed bright, a thing of exquisite beauty, but now that hope was threatened, because I had to finish this in the only way I knew how.
“The apple represents the dark truth,” said Jewel. “Most people in the world don’t want to face it.”
Willa looked confused. “How do you mean?”
“Ever the brilliant journalist,” Jewel mocked. “Wanting to dig deeper.”
“I found it intriguing,” Willa said calmly, taking a step forward, as though unaware of the terror looming behind her.
“Don’t move.” The monster’s threat was real.
Willa held my gaze with a serene expression, as though sharing that if this was our time to die, we would do it peacefully and with grace, and with hearts full of love.
My attention returned to the sea snake. I wanted to ask Jewel what had happened in the past to make her so evil. That masked dancer who had donned the garb of the devil and danced before her seemed quite fitting.
“Let Willa go, and I’ll share my secret. It’s a good trade.”
“You’ll tell me anyway,” she chided.
I shrugged. “It’s the exclusive you’ve been relentlessly pursuing.”
“That’s for me to decide.”
“It’s a doozy,” I said, smirking.
