Page 129 of Barinov

“Alright Cade,” Luca continues, all smug and glee.

“Let’s throw a party inside these painted little walls.

Where my Izzy’s laughter politely calls.

So many rooms for one little bride.

Tell me Artist, where will she hide?

Pick her a bedroom, a kitchen, a stair.

Dress her in memory but place her with care.

Because every small choice that your trembling hands make.

Becomes the masterpiece you’re about to create.”

I glance behind us at the dollhouse, now looking more like a ticking time-bomb than Bella’s favorite childhood toy. Kneeling down in front of it, I notice a small little doll lying face down in the living room floor. Onyx hair, steel eyes, cherry-red lips, and naked. Three dresses are sprawled across the black couch behind her. Black silk, blood-red, and pale-blue.

“Dress her in memory but place her with care,” Sabine’s soft voice echoes Luca’s words. “I think that monster means for you to set the scene, chéri.”

“Which one do I pick?” I whisper.

The scent of lavender and rosemary fills the space between us as Sabine crouches down next to me. Her black silk dress brushing against my legs as she sits.

“Now I can’t make that choice for you,” she says, her voice smooth as honey. She loops her arm through mine. “But I’ll stay right here beside you while you make it.”

“Anytime now, Cade,” Luca’s smug voice sounds from the tv. “I’m getting bored.”

“Don’t let that fool pester you,” Sabine says. “Take your time.”

I nod, reaching for the doll, trying to weigh my options.

“Whatever color I pick,” I start. “Do you think that’s what he’ll have her wear?”

She nods slowly.

“So don’t pick black,” Lex says through gritted teeth. “And for the love of God don’t you dare sit her in that bedroom.”

Flashes of Bella in that black gown with Zeke lowering himself on top of her fill my vision, nausea rising fast. I shake out of it and reach for the red dress. Then stop myself.

“What’s wrong?” Sabine asks.

“I just,” I mutter. “I don’t know which one to pick.”

“What does your soul say?”

“My soul?”

She reaches over and picks up the blue and red dresses and gently places one in each of my hands.

“Yes, Cade,” she says. “What do these shades say to your heart? Where do they take you?”

“Well, um… I guess red makes me think of blood,” I admit, tears filling my eyes. “Anytime I see it now, I’m immediately brought back to Miami. I-I’m back with Lex in that cage. Hopelessly watching him bleed out at my feet.”

Lex shifts behind me, scratching his shoulder in the sling.

“And the blue?” Sabine asks again. “What do you see?”