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“Please,” I said. “Let her go. She—she doesn’t deserve it. Yara would never forgive you for this.”

“You looked so smug. You thought you could somehow outwit me. But I had been planning this for more than a decade.”

“I know. I was wrong. Just… let her go. Please.”

The wire went around Irene’s throat. Irene’s eyes snapped open. Fear and horror widened them. Tears trailed down her cheeks, but she still didn’t struggle.

“I am sorry,” I whispered, unable to meet her eyes.

“You did all you could, Ryden. You came for me.”

“And I couldn’t save you.”

“Tell Yara I love her,” Irene said, biting back a sob. “Tell her I’m sorry for leaving her. Tell her to kill this bitch in the worst way possible.”

Trish laughed, her voice splintering all around us.

“How would he tell her anything when he’s going to follow you right after?” Trish grabbed Irene by her hair.

“Because… Yara will always be better than you,” Irene whispered.

“It won’t hurt too much.” Trish patted Irene’s cheek with a shrug. “Come on, stop crying. Tears never helped anyone. It didn’t help me, or Tany. It wouldn’t help you. At least, you’ll die without carrying burdens your soul couldn’t carry.”

“I don’t want to die.”

“I bet you do. Come on, Katelyn’s waiting for you.” Trish laughed. “She’s been lonely for so long.”

“Trish, Trish. Look at me. Look. If you do this, you will be…”

“Shut up.”

I saw the first line of red on Irene’s neck as Trish tightened the garrote.

Irene let out a whimper that became a scream.

“STOP. STOP.”

41

WHERE THE EVIL SLEEPS

YARA

There was a deep ringing in my ears. My eyes were filled with threads of reds.

Please. Let them be alive. I didn't know who I was praying to, but I did.

Enzo kicked the door open, and I staggered inside, my heart racing.

“Stop!” I shouted. “Patty, no, stop. Trish, please.”

Irene was blue and red and purple. All the colors that reminded me of death. Ryden looked at me, shackled to the walls, his eyes glistening with tears. He looked resigned, empty. Filled with regret.

No. No, no, no.

Trish turned toward me, her face flushed red. Irene’s body fell to the side. I lunged forward, catching her before she hit the floor.

I didn’t even have time to be angry.