I led Heathcliff across the landing, heading for the private covered balcony through Cynthia’s office. I had my head turned, looking for the right door, and I noticed the corner of a black leather trench coat disappear over the velvet rope cordoning off Cynthia’s private wing.
“That’s Gerald,” I whispered.
Heathcliff leaned his head near mine. “Pretend I said something hilarious,” he growled.
Understanding immediately what he intended me to do, I threw my head back and laughed. From the angle, I could peer further around the corner, and the area was well-lit enough I had a clear view. Gerald leaned against the wall, his eyes darting across the landing. He cast one final look around, then disappeared down the darkened hallway. Heathcliff and I exchanged a heated look. Heathcliff’s smoldering eyes demanded that we not get involved.
We followed him, of course. Luckily, I’d eschewed my muslin dress for my ‘Jane Austen is my Homegirl’ t shirt and jeans, so I could easily step over the rope. The hallway turned a corner. We crept to the end and peered around to see Gerald slipping inside a door.
We scooted across the rug and pressed ourselves up against the wall. I peered around the door into an opulent bedroom – Cynthia and Grey’s suite, guessing by the clothing strewn across the bed and the tray of tea things on the armoire. Gerald stood in front of a large dressing table, dropping handfuls of gold jewelry from a large case into the deep pockets of his black trench coat.
I yanked my head back. My elbow hit the vase on the table behind me. It wobbled in mid-air. Heathcliff lunged for it. His fingers grazed the edge and sent the vase sprawling off the table, where it crashed on the marble floor.
SMASH!
Gerald launched himself at the door. Light caught a knife in his hand as his coat flapped around him like an overweight Neo. He lunged at me. Heathcliff shoved me across the hall, shouting, “Don’t argue. Just run!”
I sprinted down the hallway. Gerald followed, crashing into the walls as Heathcliff struggled to subdue him. My chest burned.He’s crazy and dangerous. Find one of the security guards and—
CRASH.
I tripped over the velvet rope and hit the ground, hard. Pain shot up my leg. I gasped for breath and rolled onto my side, just in time to see Gerald tower over me, the knife raised in his hand.
“I don’t want to hurt you, Mina,” he said. “If you promise not to tell anyone what you saw, then I won’t have to—”
He didn’t get a chance to finish his sentence. Heathcliff leaped on his back, driving the knife in Gerald’s hand into his side. Gerald bellowed, stumbling forward and trying to throw Heathcliff off. In response, Heathcliff sank his teeth into Gerald’s neck. Guests screamed and scattered as they staggered across the landing.
“Heathcliff, watch out!” I gasped.
But Heathcliff didn’t hear. He was a wild animal lashing out at the predator who threatened his mate. He tore at Gerald, his wild, his features twisted with feral rage. Gerald thrashed back, and the pair of them crashed into the balustrade. With a sickeningCRACK, the wood cracked, and the two of them toppled over the edge.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
“Heathcliff!” I screamed.
The world narrowed. In slow motion I watched, frozen and helpless, as the pair tumbled over the side of the balcony and disappeared. As he fell, Heathcliff’s wild eyes met mine, and in them I saw only jubilation. He didn’t evencarethat he was about to crack his head open on the floor below.
All he wanted to do was save my life, and it cost him his own.
CRASH.
Screams and shouts echoed from downstairs. The world came back into focus, raw and fast and terrifying. Still gasping for air, I forced myself to my feet. Flares of green and pink neon light danced in front of my vision, blinding me. I gripped the wall and fought my way to the stairs.
Heathcliff, no no no no…
I forced my legs to move, to run to the stairs. I gripped the railing and lurched myself downward, averting my eyes from the center of the room. I had to see, but I didn’t want to see.
Don’t leave me in this abyss where I cannot find you.
On the last step, my shaking legs gave way. I collapsed in a heap, barely feeling my knees crack against the marble floor. Warm, strong arms went around me sweeping me into an embrace. A smell like grapefruit and vanilla wafted over my nostrils, the effect dragging me back into myself.
Morrie.
“Are you hurt?” he asked, his voice wracked with concern.
“Is Heathcliff…” I choked.
Morrie laughed, his breath tickling my face. “He’s fine, gorgeous. Look for yourself.”
