Then, in one desperate breath, his tale of a life lived in cold solitude and suffering comes to an end. Colter finally says, “You can’t stay here, Lilith. What happened tonight… It’s going to have severe consequences. You and your mother must leave.”
Does he mean this, or what happened at the Rusty Hook?
“But I don’t want to go without you,” I say, nestling more firmly into his side.
I can’t believe those words came out of my mouth. It wasn’t a week ago that he was still my tormentor. He turned my life upside down, by turning up and slaughtering the group of five abusers, and then he disappeared again, letting the world think I was crazy.
But I have seen the Ghost’s true face now, and know the kindness buried inside him. Now, I don’t want to picture a life without him in it.
“And you won’t have to. Not for good. But I can’t leave until my duties are fulfilled.” His gaze shifts to the window, where the flickering lights of Midnite City dance in their reflection. “Do you have somewhere you can go?”
“I’m sure we can think of something.” I hate saying it. Now, more than ever, I have no desire to go anywhere. It’s the first time I have felt happy in this mansion, and it’s being yanked away from me.
“The man at the bar,” he says.
My first thought goes to Dylan, but that quickly dissipates when I realize he means Raymond.
“Yes, he might be able to help.” I bury my face in his chest.
He doesn’t speak again for a long time. Nor do I fear that this is the beginning of something terrible.
“Do you trust me, Lilith?” Colter tightens his grip against the small of my back, with no sign of ever letting go. He presses a gentle kiss across my brow.
“I do.” I don’t hesitate with my answer. We wouldn’t be here if I felt any other way.
“Then know what I’m doing is best for you. In time, I hope you’ll come to understand, but for now, trust me.”
Chapter Twenty-Four
Lilith
Iwake up the next morning in Colter’s empty bed.
He’s been gone for hours. The side he slept on is ice-cold.
A dull heaviness sinks into me. For a moment, it feels as if he did what he wanted and ran off without a second thought. But my mind reprimands itself quickly. It reminds me of what he said…
Mom and I have to getout of here.
I scramble out of bed, and get dressed in whatever I can find, from my clothes that are scattered across the room. I break into a sprint, racing down the halls back to my own room. Sure, there isn’t much chance of getting caught in this massive empty house. But I’m not going to risk an incredibly uncomfortable conversation about why I’m running from Colter’s side of the house in last night’s clothes.
I brush my teeth in the shower, get dressed in fresh clothes, and pack a single bag with enough for a few days. I’m not waiting around to find out what Colter thinks could happen, with or without Mom’s willingness to join.
Once everything is ready for me to go, I leave my things upstairs and start searching the mansion for her. I start with her room, the library and the living room, but they yield no results.
As I head over to the kitchen, I hear a news radio station playing from it. Normally, this wouldn’t be a good enough reason to think it’s Mom, but the chef has finished breakfast and won’t be back until lunchtime.
I stop outside the archway that separates the hall from the kitchen and take a moment to compose myself. In my rush to get out of here, I didn’t put any thought into what I would say, or how I’d convince her that we need to leave. LikeNOW.
The passing moment leaves enough time to hear whatever song was playing end, and the radio presenter starts talking aboutthe man in the mask.
They know. And soon, the whole world will too.
Don’t let it distract you. You have one task right now. Do it, and do it well.
“Hey, Mom.” I step into the kitchen, not showing any outward sign of my internal torment. Easing her into the hard conversation is going to do much better than—
My head empties, as I find her hunched over the sink, weeping silently to herself.
