“My dear.” Riselda pulled back, eyes brimming with mirth. “Secrets. I haveendlesssecrets.” And with a jarring laugh, her aunt released her, pulling the plunging gown from her shoulders as she strode to her small bed.
Riselda’s body must be what dreams were made of. Lux glanced from the curves as they were displayed before her. It was unsurprising why the mayor had maintained his infatuation for these nine years; Riselda radiated power. But it was equally surprising that her aunt had encouraged it.
“I’ve errands today, Lucena, but I want to have dinner together. If you’ve no other plans?” Riselda stood in a murky, grey gown. An extension of Ghadra.
Lux stuttered, taken aback. “That’s…fine, Riselda. I’ll be here.”
Combing through black waves, Riselda nodded. “Excellent.”
Lux pulled her gaze away and strode to the basin, washing her face, allowing the water to scour away grit and the memory of tears. When she glanced into the mirror, she met Riselda’s eyes behind her, boring into her own.
“You’re so lovely. And your spirit reminds me of my own.” Riselda’s long-fingered hand caressed her shoulder. “If that boy hurts you in any way, do not hesitate.” Nails bit into her skin, and Lux flinched. “Rip out his heart and feed it to the trees.”
Chapter twenty
Black pustules burst andoozed, coating the doorstep in jasmine-scented drops. Lux stepped back, coming to the stunning realization she may have found something she despised more than blood.
The middle-aged woman adjusted her footing, propping the man up further.
Ned. The bizarre, laughing man. It would appear his mother had left behind her contagion in lieu of an inheritance. How unfortunate.
The thick fluid pooled and dripped onto the woman’s forearm. Even covered against the cold, Lux doubted it would be enough to stop the spread.
“I’ve the coin, if that is what’s preventing you from opening that door further.”
Lux peeled her eyes from the puddle forming at her feet to meet ones narrowed at her in frustration. She studied the deeplines at their corners. “Are you aware of how easily this disease spreads? I wouldn’t have touched him if I were you.”
Ned collapsed to the rain-soaked ground as hands pulled back from his mottled body.
The woman studied the black substance slipping along her fingers, her cheeks losing their reddened hue. “I’m going to be next?”
Lux stepped back further. “Probably.”
Shaking hands fumbled for a purse, dragging it from a pocket close to her body. “Revive me! When I die, find me. Swear it!”
Wild eyes clawed at Lux’s features. “What about him?” Lux nodded toward Ned’s array of awkward angles.
“Ned? He always was a selfish imbecile. In bed and outside it. Always running home to his wretched mother. I deserve this!”
Lux shook her head. “As unsatisfying as that must have been, I don’t do house calls. Please arrange for someone to bring you, should you die.”
“Who will risk touching me? You must!” The woman was growing louder, and Lux winced at the assault upon her ears.
“I’m sorry. I can’t.”
The woman sneered, stepping forward with a pointed finger. Her color having returned, her face darkened in anger. Anger and fear. “That is the most insincere apology I’ve ever heard, you little wench.” Her eyes spun, the white's blood-shot. “Do you enjoy it? All this death? Maybe you began it. Nasty, filthymurderer.”
Lux slammed her door, spinning to hold it in place even as the bolt slid home.
The woman flung her body against its length. Once, twice. Until silence hung, thick, in the air. Then a sing-song voice.
“Murderer.Murderer. Murderer. We know what you are, Necromancer. You’re a littlemonster.” She cackled, and Lux clamped her hands over her ears, her eyes pressed closed.
She would ignore her. Shut it out.
The voice whispered like frost through the cracks. “Murderer.”
A sudden cry from the street caused Lux to jump. The presence disappeared from the wood at her back. Still, she wasn’t about to risk opening it. She darted down the steps and around the corner and yanking back the curtains, she peered through the window.
