Page 82 of Petrify

He said this, too. But he also begged me not to leave, not to run?—

He wouldn’t have lied to me.

A dull headache springs up in my head in place of the stabbing pain.

He could’ve blackmailed you. Threatened you with it.

“I’ll tell—the media.” I force the words out before I can consider the consequences.

Mariane freezes.

There are no tears in her lashes, and her makeup is just as perfect as it was before. But she can’t conceal her surprise.

She expected me to cower. To play into her schemes, or Leo’s. “What did you say?”

“I’ll tell everyone.” I take one step forward. “Even if they don’t believe me right away, they’ll dig deeper. Your secrets will come out.”

“You signed contracts.” She hisses. “NDAs.”

“Contracts I wasmisledinto signing.” I wonder if Baz is listening. “I don’t think it will matter once everyone knows the truth.”

“You—” Mariane’s eyes narrow. Her lips are pressed tightly together, her manicured hands like talons at her sides.

For a moment, I imagine it, the media circus it would cause: reporters clambering at the gates to get in, the family ruined. They would never have a moment of peace. Not for a long while. “I’m staying.”

“Did he tell you why the last one left?” She takes a step closer this time. “Henri’s last tutor didn’t leave because of a little family issue.He killed her.”

I want to believe she’s lying.

Her hand is shaking.

She’s afraid of him.

And she doesn’t want the truth to get out, even if she’s just given me another secret to spill, more leverage.

“That has nothing to do with me.” I ignore the slicing sensation in my brain, the numbness in my fingers. “I was promised a stipend. Per your contract, I am here until the end of spring.”

“‘The family retains the right to terminate employment for any reason, including ifEmployeedoes not meet expectations,’as per the contract.” She recites as if she has the entire thing memorized, and of course I don’t remember exactly what those documents said.

“You won’t.”

Baz wouldn’t allow it. How many times has he told me not to worry?

She’s afraid of him. Andhewants me to stay.

Mariane says nothing. She considers me for a moment, her eyes trailing along my body—as though she can discern every single place he has touched me, every single kiss he has pressed to my skin. One angular brow raised in a cutting glare.

And yet her hands still shake.

“Fine. You’ll finish out your contract. You’ll be one of the few to do so—congratulations.” She spits out the words, flecks of her saliva landing on my cheek. I force myself not to flinch. “You will get your pay. But come the end of your contract, you’ll either be dead, or nobody andnothing. And you better hope it’s the latter.”

As soon as my racing heart calms and I regain the feeling in my limbs, I run to find him.

I retrace my steps to the same place the wall gave away last night off the foyer. No one is around to watch me slam my palms against the glossy wood. The polished walnut paneling doesn’t give way.

When my fingers sting, I feel like an idiot. The wall is solid. Impenetrable.

How had he done it?