“I’m questioning your feelings,” I corrected. “Just because we are a perfect match doesn’t mean we’re required to be with each other. Cyrus, you’ve known this secret your whole life. Maybe that book influenced your feelings over the years.”
“I can’t believe I’m hearing this right now.”
“Cyrus, just think about it—”
“Please, let’s not go there ...” He pulled in a breath. “We’re tired. We went through every emotion known to witch, and my brain feels like it’s about to explode. Let’s call it a night.”
I nodded, agreeing, wanting nothing more than to escape this room.
“But there’s one more thing you should know before we leave,” he said.
Before I could get respond, he turned toward the table.
“Acceri liber extraneus.”And another book flew off the shelf.
Cyrus caught it and tossed it onto the table, not as careful as he was with the other two books. I stepped up beside him and noticed nothing embossed on the front or spine.
“This book appeared after the Heathens’ curse broke,” he said, tapping his finger next to the spine. “There’s no name, so I can’t tell who it’s for, but it’s not the Shadows because they were always here, locked inside the Heathens. The strange part is, this book won’t open.”
“So, what does this mean?”
“Someone else or something else is walking among us.”
CHAPTER 33
ADORA
December 28, 2020
31 days until the Crimson Eclipse
34 days until the Cantini-Sullivan Wedding
It was Founder’s Day.
I lifted my chin and looked at the woman in the mirror.
Her smileless lips were plump and painted scarlet red, her cheekbones took on a dusty pink hue, and black adorned her lids like wings of the night. Braids twisted in her spiraling hair, pieces held back by a clip with a ruby setting.
This was the story of the siren who held her breath long enough to outlast love, she thought. And she wondered if this was how mermaids drowned.
Quiet, slow, stubborn.
In the background, a clock echoed throughout the manor. By the time it reached my room at the top of the tower, it was nothing but a faint chime. I skipped the lighting of the fire in Town Square, and there were only three hours remaining until the engagement would be announced at the ball.
My eyes fluttered closed as an image of Stone walking toward me sketched across the backs of my lids. There, heavily hooded eyes gaze upon me the same way I’d gazed upon my own in the mirror. Hard and forlorn and without a smile. In my mind, my hand sinks into his just as our song floats into the ballroom. He pulls me close until we’re bound together, not a final breath between us. His warm fingers drift along my exposed spine, and his sensitive lips brush my temple. He inhales me, then exhales a warm breath sailing about my cheek. The ballroom walls fall away, and we’re back at the lighthouse, hardly swaying. But this time is different. We’re rooted together, never wanting to be apart. The secret and his siren, together again on Bone Island at last.
When my eyes opened again, water lined the rims. I threw my head back to keep my tears from falling so I wouldn’t ruin my makeup.
A rap echoed in my bedroom. I sniffled, pulling myself together and standing from the vanity chair. When I opened the door, Camora stood on the other side in an unzipped dress. The straps were hanging off her shoulders, and tears stained her pinched cheeks.
I quickly dabbed the corners of my eyes. “Camora, what’s wrong?”
She pushed my door open further, walked past me, and threw herself onto my bed. “I can’t take it anymore. I look ridiculous.”
“You don’t look ridiculous,” I said, closing the door behind her. “I think the problem is that youfeelridiculous in it." Her narrowed eyes stabbed me, and I took her hand to pull her up from the bed. “Listen, I spent this past week working on a new design, and I’m curious to see what you think of it.”
I left her to retrieve the garment bag hanging from the clothes rack. I unzipped it, the elegant jumpsuit rolling over my arm like a presentation.
