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TWENTY FOUR
Jessie
Over the next three nights, no messages and no flowers arrive. Nothing. I still make sure William takes me home straight after the curtain call each night. I don’t mention my fears. Instead, I make sure to wear myself out coming so many times on his cock I drift easily into a peaceful sleep with no dreams of lurking strangers in the dark or foul breath on the back of my neck.
By the end of the week, I’ve relaxed enough to stop searching the crowd for sinister faces, and no longer get the sick feeling in the pit of my stomach every time I look at my phone. A firm rap on my dressing room door still makes me jump, though. Tugging on my dressing gown, I open the door to find Sethos there. He glares over my shoulder, tail flicking his leg. “Where’s that good-for-nothing gargoyle? I swear he’s never here when I want to talk to him.”
I fold my arms over my chest. “Not like you actually pay him or anything.”
He hisses and flicks his large feathered wings. “What would a gargoyle do with money anyway?”
“Why don’t you ask him? But as far as I’m concerned, supernaturals deserve the same rights as humans, working conditions included. I’m pretty sure the local council would agree.”
“Listen. Have you seen him or not? There’s been a very serious threat made, so if you know where he is, then tell him to come find me. And if there’s an alarm, for gods’ sake, evacuate quickly.”
Chilling proclamation made, he turns and stalks away down the corridor. I tuck the gown tighter around me and close the door. Truth is, I don’t know where William is. I assumed he was on the roof where he typically stations himself during a show. Sethos isn’t stupid, though, as annoying as he is. So I’m sure he’s looked there.
William has an unerring ability to find me when I want him to. Sethos’ concern worries me. On the stool in front of my mirror, I debate with myself. Whatever this is doesn’t sound like it’s targeted at me. The sooner I find William so Sethos can fill him in, the safer everyone will be.
Opening the door again, I peek out into the corridor.
There’s no one around.
I only make it halfway to the east tower stairs before a guy in black dress pants and a black collared shirt enters from the door to the foyer. He frowns. “Miss Jessie, you should be in your changing room until Mr. Issa gives the all clear. Didn’t you hear there was a bomb threat?”
I don’t recognize him. I open my mouth to reply that I’m looking for William, but he strides toward me and takes my arm. “Hey!”
I struggle, but he’s too strong. Something about his face is familiar, but I can’t place it. It doesn’t help that he has a cap pulled down over his head. He turns me back in the direction of my dressing room. “Back this way, miss. You’d better let me check the room while I’m here. Make sure you’re safe.”
“Who are you? What’s going on?”
He opens the door, guides me inside, and closes the door behind us. Now we’re alone, a terrible oily sick feeling slides over my skin, but the guy releases me. I take another look at his face, which seems familiar, but I can’t place him.
“Mr. Issa hired extra security for the next few weeks. Lucky he did. If you just relax and do what I say, we’ll have the building cleared and we’ll be ready to get on with the show.”
He looks around the room, lifting items on the floor and running his fingers along the skirting board. I don’t like the way he just manhandled me, but his actions aren’t those of someone who wants to do me harm.
The security guard reaches under my dressing table. “You’ve been in this room since five, miss?”
I nod.
“And no one else came in here?”
“No. Not unless you count Sethos.”
The guy snorts. He picks my handbag up and slides a hand inside, setting it back down again when he fails to find whatever he’s looking for. Then he straightens. “Looks like you’re all good here. Just hang tight, and someone will let you know when it’s safe to move around the building again.”
He goes to the door and lets himself out. I continue processing what’s just happened. Reaching for my phone, I see it’s already past the half hour and I should have checked in with the director five minutes ago.
Nothing for it.
With a clinging sense of worry, I apply the last of my makeup and throw on my costume. Tucking my hair beneath my wig cap, I pull the wig on top. One of my fellow cast members can help check if it’s on straight, but I can’t afford to delay any more. I drop my phone into my handbag and hurry backstage.
***
It’s only after theshow wraps and the curtain falls I start to wonder why I still haven’t seen William. I haven’t seen any more of the extra security guys either, come to think of it.
I hurry back to my dressing room and do a speedy change into my sweats, snatch up my handbag and head to the east tower. When I get up there, the archway is empty with no sign of my big gargoyle.
