Page 258 of Shadowman
Focusing on The Ivory, lest I get distracted and lose him, I creep after him, coming to a full stop when he pulls a key from inside his pocket. It’s long, and it looks antique, like an old skeleton key. He moves up to another door that’s not a door at all, rather acell. It has bars like the ones in the penitentiary, except that they appear to be made of bronze, or gold. And the cell itself looks… Well, there’s no other way to put it.
It looks like a birdcage. A large one—bigger than any bird, or animal, for that matter—would require.
Swallowing hard, I hug the wall, trying to get closer while staying hidden. I need to get a better look at this.
I need to see what’s in there…
The Ivory steps inside the cage, closing the gate behind him with a clank. My stomach twists when another person comes into view…
A large hand falls onto my shoulder, and I jump so hard, I practically hit the ceiling.
“Jesus bloody Christ!” I whisper, slapping my hand over my heart as I spin to find Kent glaring at me.
His eyes widen, and he places his finger up to his lips in theshhhgesture. We stare at one another for a moment, both peeking back to The Ivory in the giant birdcage.
My lips part, because I havesomany questions. But I don’t get the chance to ask.
Kent grabs me by the wrist and pulls me away. Leaving Manuel Blanco alone with his little bird…
Pacing.Making circles,around and around, and around…
Yanking my hair in my fists.
“What’s the problem?”
I’m twitchy. Edgy.
Unhinged.
“Honestly… I thought this was what you’ve been wanting for bloody months.”I peer at him.“And now that you’ve got it, you’re not happy??”Leo shakes his head.“There really is no pleasing you, is there, mate?”
“That’s not the point,” I hiss at him, rubbing my eyes hard until I see spots. Until he’sblurry… Like he’s not really there, and his voice is coming from insideme.
It is. You know it is.
I’ve always been you, Trevel.
“Just shut up and let me think, goddamnit!” I bark, whipping my face in his direction.
Except that Leo is gone. And now,Byronis standing there, right where my decrepit ninja bear had been. Eyes wide, etched in confusion and concern.
“Are you… alright?” he croaks, tone careful. Cautious.
Keep back. Your crazy sort-of boyfriend’s gone completely mad.
Squeezing my eyes shut tight, I take a breath, attempting to compose myself. “No…yes. I mean, I’mfine, but I just—”
“Trevel, what’s going on?” he grunts, wearing every moment of distress from the past few weeks on his face. “You seem like there’s something you’re not telling me…” He steps closer. “Something youwantto tell me… But maybe you’re afraid.”
I bite my lip, staring at him. The emotion in my own eyes is palpable. I can see it, being mirrored back at me in his.
Iwantto confide in him, I swear I do.
There’s so much I need to say. So muchheneeds me to say.
But will it be… too much? Will he stay once he knows how truly fucked the bloody hell up I am?? I just don’t see how…
We’re running on fumes as it is.
