Page 19 of Barinov

The timer continues to tick down.

“What is that?” I ask.

“We’re about to find out,” Knox answers as he clicks the USB into his laptop.

Chapter 5

LEX

Home

About to throw another fucking chair.

1 day since Bella’s kidnapping.

01:42:28

“It’s an audio file,” Knox says while staring at the countdown.

“Open it,” I spit out, yanking the chair beside him aside and crashing down in it.

The laptop speaker crackles. Then Luca’s sick voice fills the room.

“Shame your brother missed the scene.

He always knew what shadows mean.

Maybe he watches. Maybe he hides.

Maybe he waits on darker tides.”

Cade’s forehead creases. “Is that the masquerade poem?”

“Because not everything is what it seems.

Not every grave holds silent screams.

And not every ghost you thought had died.

Stayed in the dark where secrets hide.”

“Some of it, at least.” Knox shrugs as he turns up the volume.

“Takes one to raise one, that much is true.

He trained the monster that now lives in you.

But Eden’s not built with fire and bone.

It starts with a whisper when you’re all alone.”

“It’s only the parts about Zeke,” Nate says.

“Figures,” I huff.

Cade shakes his head. “Stop, babe.”

“Zeke taught you to run. I taught him to crawl.