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CHAPTER26
KONRAD
“Five, six, seven, eight,” One calls, her voice keeping to the beat she plays on the grand piano.
Two twirls across the stage beside her, then misses a step, stumbling over her feet. “Shit!” she exclaims, righting herself.
One slams her hands onto the keys. “There will be no mistakes!”
“I’m doing the best I can, One. This isn’t exactly my forte,” Two replies, swiping a hand over her sweaty forehead as the two women glare at each other.
“I don’t care. We need a dancer, and you’re the closest we have to one given Three is out of action and Zero is nowhere to be seen.”
“I perform aerial acrobatics, I’m not a miracle worker.”
“Again goddammit!”
Beside me, Christy shifts uncomfortably. She’s been distant, troubled, and hasn’t wanted to leave Jakub’s side. She’s barely slept since we brought him back to the castle last night, so I thought a change of scenery might help. Then again, bringing her here probably wasn’t the best decision I’ve ever made. In fact, given I’ve called all the Numbers to the studio to tell them about Twelve, it’s the fucking worst. But we’re here now, and this has to happen. It’s time to face the music and, selfishly, I’d rather do it with Christy by my side, given Leon’s making arrangements for Twelve’s burial and can’t be here.
“Her timing is off, she just needs to concentrate when counting the beats,” Christy says quietly from the darkened corner we’re standing in.
“Is that right?” I reply, failing at finding any words, much less ones that will reassure her. Watching her and what she did for Jakub yesterday will forever be ingrained in my soul. Without her kindness and empathy, I’ve no doubt we’d have lost him for good. Thirteen might be able to heal his wounds, but only Christy can heal his heart and soothe his soul.
Only her.
At least I have to believe that’s what she’s been able to do because he is yet to wake up and tell us for himself.
“Two has the ability and the grace needed for what One’s trying to achieve, she just needs practice and time,” Christy murmurs.
“Is a couple of weeks enough time?” I ask, adjusting my mask so that it sits more comfortably on my face.
“A couple of weeks?” she repeats sharply, and I know at that moment that whatever she’s seen in our future has something to do with the night of the ball.
“Yes, The Brònach Masquerade Ball is in a little over two weeks.”
Her gaze flicks to mine and she swallows hard. I see the agony in her eyes and I want so much to relieve her of it that I almost, almost, ask her to give up her burden and share it with me, but then I remember what she said, that it’ll only harm her in the long run, and shake my head free of the thought.
“Konrad, I wish that I could change the—” she begins, but I cut her off by grabbing her hand and pulling her against my chest.
“No, don’t torture yourself. Stay in the present with me. Right now I need you by my side whilst I break the news to the Numbers. One thing at a time, okay?”
She curls her fingers into my shirt, as she allows me to comfort her. It feels good that I’m the one able to give her a tiny moment of reprieve.Me, a certified psychopath.
Tipping her head back, she looks up at me, her expression is one of resignation that quickly morphs into determination. “Okay, let’s do this,” she says, straightening her spine as she slides her hand into mine.
As we step out of our hiding place, Two takes a tumble, missing her steps and earning her another glare from One that I’m sure would’ve turned into another tirade had Christy not distracted her.
“You have all the steps in place, Two, just listen to the beat of the music and you’ll get there eventually,” Christy says.
One’s head snaps up, her eyes narrowing on Christy. Her expression changes from one of blatant dislike to guarded suspicion as she glances at our linked hands. “Master, I didn’t know you were standing there,” she says, looking between us, her lips pursed as she ignores Christy completely. “What can I do for you?”
“Why is it only the pair of you? Where are the others?” I counter, irritated that they’ve not arrived despite my specific instructions for them to be here at nine am on the dot.
“On their way. I thought it would be advantageous to spend a little more time rehearsing this dance given Three is still…recuperating, and can’t partake. I see you’re better,” she remarks, cutting Christy an unimpressed look. “Perhaps you could perform this dance instead of Two?”
“No!” I snap. “She won’t be performing at the ball.”
One’s mouth presses into a hard line and I know she wants to question my decision, but she holds her tongue, plastering on a fake smile instead. “As you wish,” she says, before motioning at Two. “I’m sure Master would like to see how hard you’ve been working on perfecting this dance for the ball. Shall we start from the top? No mistakes this time.”
