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Once our feet touch solid ground again. But that serenity doesn't last. Our next stop is the haunted house. It's dimly lit and eerie, with cobwebs hanging from the corners and distorted mirrors reflecting our distorted figures. My heart races with each jump scare, but Lucas finds it all hilarious.
Exiting the haunted house, we're met with an unexpected surprise — Casey has disappeared. Panic grips me as I race back in, only to have her jump out at me from behind a curtain, her laughter echoing in the dimness at her prank that nearly gave me a heart attack.
Despite my earlier reservations, I find myself laughing and agreeing to being yanked and pulled from ride to ride, and I find it easier being with the kids. They're happy and don't require much conversation, they talk enough that I find I barely get a word in. Jonah and the others stay behind, and Marabella leads Corina to the teacups. After going back on the ferris wheel one last time.
Afternoon tea follows, or maybe dinner. The sun is quickly disappearing now, and I would have thought Eziah would have been back by now. Marabella did explain how time moves quickly in the Moon Goddess realm, yet slow in the underworld, but none of that makes sense to me. We gather around a picnic table, everyone snacking on hot dogs and soda, discussing the plans for the next ride. . As Rose heads to the restroom with Casey, I get up needing to use the bathroom too.
We make our way to the huge amenities block. It has an entry and exit at the other end and is a long row of sinks on one wall and stalls on the other. The bathroom's echo amplifies every sound. I'm finishing up when Rose's voice drifts over, mentioning her aversion to heights and wondering if Casen might take Casey on the ferris wheel because he has been hounding her all afternoon to go with him.
As I finish up, Rose’s voice floats over, “Could you pass me some toilet paper?” I oblige and then quickly button up my jeans.
The sound of a door. “Casey, don't run off, I'll be right out,” Rose calls out, when
I hear the delighted squeal of “Daddy!” catches my attention. Emerging from the stall, my eyes find Casen. But…
Something's off. His clothes are different, his demeanor.
“There’s Daddy's princess,” he says, scooping her up.
As realization dawns.“His voice!”Shadow calls in my head, and it takes me a second to remember Casen is a twin! I sniff the air, but I don't find Casen's scent, though they're very similar. Rose steps out of the stall and shrieks. My eyes dart around, taking in the situation, and my blood runs cold.
“Vince…” Rose's voice is trembling as she holds out her arms for her daughter.
“Give me Casey,” Vince raises an eyebrow at her. Casey looks from Vince to Rose, confused.
“Na, I think I'll keep her,” Vince tells her, and my heart beats frantically in my chest. Casey reaches out to Rose while Shadow screams in my head to do something, yet I'm paralyzed by fear and shock.
“Please, Vince. Give me my daughter,” Rose says, edging closer.
Vince smiles sadistically, the action sending a chill down my spine when his eyes move to behind us. “Just in time,” Vince chuckles when my heart drops. The scent of Satish fills the air; a scent I thought I’d never have to endure again. The atmosphere grows tense with dread.
Spinning around, Satish slowly walks into the room a sadistic smirk on his face lunges at Rose, as she goes to do the same thing, his hand collides with her head and sends her crashing against the wall. Her body slumps, and I stare in shock at what to do when Shadow takes over, eyes glint with fury.
A rush of adrenaline hits as Satish charges at me next. Shadow’s instincts kick in, and we fight back, biting and clawing. Like so many times before, I let her have the reins, knowing she is our only chance. Yet, he's too strong, overpowering us with ease.
A chilling grip tightens around my neck, cutting off my air supply.
Desperate, I mentally scream out for Eziah, but my connection to him is tenuous at best, only having managed to use the mindlink a couple of times. My vision narrows, the edges growing hazy. My last awareness is the sound of gunshots and screams from outside, followed by Satish's cold voice whispering in my ear.
“Did you miss me, sis?”
Then darkness consumes me.
ChapterEighty-Two
Marabella
Stepping into the dimly lit bathroom, I sing out to Rose and Temperance, wondering if they are still here. “Are you all still in…?” my words cut off abruptly.
“Vince?!” I stammer in shock. The sight before me is enough to stop any mother's heart. Rose lies sprawled, unmoving. And Temperance is barely hanging on, a desperate light flickering in her eyes, while Casey is thrashing in Vince's arms, screaming for her mother. My power surges, protective and lethal. Behind me, my kids are oblivious to the danger, but not for long.
Satish’s dark figure stands upright, turning in my direction, eyes filled with cruel intent. As a mother, instinct takes over, and I shove my kids behind me, letting out a growl that would freeze any man’s blood.
Satish steps forward, his silhouette shadowy against the stark white tiles. A smirk playing on his lips, he looks at me as if I am a mere obstacle. I have faced many people before, but none so brazen. Being a dark Gemini, I assume this will be over quickly. I am gravely mistaken. “Lucas, take your sister,” I tell my son.
“But mom?”
“Lucas — now! Get to your father!” I scream at him.
