by Dani Rei
“Get out,” Inez mutters, keeping her eyes glued to a distant spot away from him. Her voice is quiet. Flat.
Blake freezes, lowering his arms that were about to hold her. “Inez, tell me what happened.”
“Nothing happened. Leave.”
“You’re hiding again.”
“No, I’m not.”
Blake places his hand on her cheek, only for Inez to smack it away. “Don’t touch me! Don’t ever touch me! Not ever again!”
Blake furrows his brow. “Inez?”
“Just leave!” She shoves him aside with her elbow and hurries to the far corner of her room, crossing her arms as she focuses her attention on the morning outside her window. “Get out of my room! You never should’ve been here.”
A moment of silence creeps between them, slowing the seconds to an hour.
“I get it,” Blake sighs. “You need some alone time. I’ll go, but can you explain everything before the ball?”
“Forget the ball. I’m not going with you.”
“Inez,” Blake rushes to her side, only for her to continue turning away. “You need to stop this, okay? Talk to me. What happened up there?”
“I told you, nothing happened. I lied.”
“What?”
“I lied about everything! I never liked you, I was just stuck with you. But you’re done now. You passed. And I sure as hell don’t want to be seen at the ball dancing with some pampered little Pup!”
A pang shoots through Blake’s heart as his breath wavers. “Inez, please—”
“Don’t you get it? I had to hide because it’s embarrassing! You’re embarrassing! I could never be with someone like you!”
Blake takes a step back with a clenched jaw. “I don’t believe you. Look me in the eye and say that again. At least tell me why!”
“I don’t owe you anything, Pup! Get out!” Inez shoves him to the side to storm to her bed and hide her head under her pillow. “Get out before I kick you out!”
The weight of her words threatens to make his knees buckle. With his nails digging into his palm, he storms out of her room, slamming the door behind him.
He paces the empty hall in a daze, huffing and muttering an argument that came too late. His mind examines the memories of her kiss, her promises, how she begged him not to leave her side.
That couldn’t be a lie. There’s no way!
He turns his glare to the staircase and holds his hands out to strangle a Rex who isn’t there.
Wait, his fingers on one hand are...red? What did I touch that’s red? Is this...blood?
He checks himself for unseen injuries and pats himself for sore spots. Nothing. His breath catches in his throat as he remembers when Inez first came back. He touched her cheek. No.
Blake sneaks to Inez’s door, holding his breath and hovering his ear over its edge. Whimpering and heavy breaths escape through the gap. Muffled sniffling, pillows being assaulted and wept into.
That proves she didn’t mean it. She’s hurt. He puts his hand on the knob, ready to storm in.
No, she won’t tell him anything. Worse, she might scream, and he’ll lose any chance of helping her. He hurries down the hall, scanning the nameplates until he finds the right one and slams his fist against it.
“Mishkin! Vladik, Mishkin! Open up!”
The door cracks open, and Blake shoves Mishkin back to storm into the room. “Guys, we have a problem.”
“Kinda naked here,” says Mishkin, despite not bothering to cover himself as he shuts the door. Vladik pulls the blankets over his waist with a furrowed brow and a pink tint on his cheeks.
“Something happened,” Blake spews, paying no mind to their naked bodies as his pacing continues. “I don’t know what, but I know it was Rex. Something about Rex. He said something, did something. There was blood. And then Inez kicked me out!”
He stops to look at Mishkin, who is putting on a pair of pants and isn’t wearing his cat ears yet. He looks over to Vladik, who has just finished doing the same. “Oh sorry, I didn’t realize you guys were naked.”
Mishkin rolls his eyes. “We aren’t now! Tell us what’s going on. And this time in English.”
Blake takes a deep, trembling breath, struggling to gather his thoughts and the words to explain them.
“Rex asked Inez to meet him this morning. Alone. Well, she did, and...” Blake holds up his bloodstained hand, leaving Mishkin and Vladik gaping.
“What did he do?” Mishkin asks.
“I don’t know. She wouldn’t tell me. She must be terrified, I heard her crying from the hallway! I’ll kill him,” Blake growls, his body trembling. “That fucking bastard, I’ll kill him!”
“All right,” says Mishkin, holding out his hands. “Deep breath.”
Blake continues grumbling his threats to Rex, cursing the corrupt King through gritted teeth. His heart is tearing apart at the thought of Inez injured, crying, alone, and afraid.
“I have to see her. I have to fix this.” Blake lunges for the door, but Mishkin grabs his shoulders to hold him back. When Blake continues arguing and fighting, Mishkin throws a slap across Blake’s cheek, locking Blake’s surprised stare with his focused one.
“Listen to me,” says Mishkin. “I know you’re pissed off. Believe me, I am too. But panic and blind rage won’t help her. Take a deep breath, and we’ll figure this all out, okay?”
Blake is still trembling, jaw tight, fists clenched. He glances at Vladik, who looks just as concerned as he is. He forces his jaw open to take a deep breath. Mishkin is right, but his blood hasn’t stopped boiling.
“Are you calm enough to listen now?”
Blake nods, lips in a tight line.
“I’m going to tell you what I think is going on, but first,” Mishkin turns to Vladik. “Lovey, would you block the door for us? If he loses it, he should stay in here.”
Vladik nods and crosses the room to take a prepared stance.
“What do you mean?” Blake asks.
“My hunch, Rex knows you and Inez have a thing going. He expected her to marry Allistair, and she dumped him. He hurt her for it. I think it’s like what happened with Ronan.”
“With Ronan? What do you mean?”
“Again, not my story to share, but the point is, Rex wants Inez to date Allistair, not you. She got hurt for going against the King. It’s awful, but there’s nothing we can do right now. We just have to be patient until we can get some answers.”
Blake grips at his hair, gritting his teeth as the Illusionist’s smug face taunts him from his memory.
Allistair told him, I know it! That jealous little shit!
How could he do this?
Chapter 26
B
lake’s leg bounces under the table, his teeth gnawing at his lip. “She wasn’t at breakfast. What makes you think she’ll come to lunch?”
“Because she’ll be starving, dumbass. Trust me,” Mishkin mutters.
“Hey, guys,” says Allistair, plopping himself into a chair across the table. “Blake, I’m sorry about yesterday. Mishkin was right, I got jealous, and said some horrible stuff. I was rude, and totally out of line. If you and Inez really like each other, I wish you all the best.”
Allistair’s words pierce through his chest. Mishkin raises his brows, reminding Blake to remain neutral.
“It’s fine. Thanks though,” says Blake, gritting his teeth.
Mishkin makes small talk with Allistair and Vladik, but Blake can’t hear a word.
Inez came down from Rex’s room bleeding, and suddenly he’s all friendly again. Allistair must have gone to Daddy with his jealous bullshit. He’s probably the one who prompted Rex to hurt her. Jackass. I bet Rex forced her to say those things to me this morning.
Blake takes a sip of his cola, trying to focus on the carbonation so he doesn’t glare at Allistair. Mishkin was right. Blake didn’t like a word of what he said earlier, but it makes sense. They can’t tell Allistair that they’re on to him or that Inez got hurt somehow.
And Blake can’t keep pestering Inez for answers.
“Isn’t he the biggest mush ball?” says Mishkin, wrapping his arms around Vladik’s neck, nuzzling his cheek to his. “You’re hopeless without me, aren’t you, lovey?”
Blake smiles as the two share a gentle kiss.
“I envy you guys,” says Allistair. “I can only dream of a love like yours.”
Blake’s attention flicks from Allistair to the familiar red hair behind him. She approaches in a black turtleneck and baggy gray sweatpants. She looks more pristine than yesterday, as if the slightest hair out of place would destroy her image. She looks paler, and her head hangs low, puffy eyes glued to the floor.
Mishkin puts a hand on Blake’s arm, shaking his head at him, and Blake’s body goes rigid. I have to go to her. Mishkin please, just let me hold her.
“Inez.” Blake hesitates, finding words to probe without being obvious. “How are you feeling?”
Inez gives Blake a passive glance before she turns her attention to the side and rests a hand on Allistair’s shoulder. “Allistair, darling. I’ve been thinking about it, and I’d love to go to the ball with you.”
A pang shoots through Blake’s gut. No. Mishkin was right. This is all a plot. Rex hurt her, scared her into going back to him. But we all know how she feels, right? She turned him down, there’s no way he’d be stupid enough to accept right in front of us!
“Really?” says Allistair, shooting a confused glance at Blake. “But I thought...”
“Come on, we haven’t gone together in a while.”
Don’t do it. She doesn’t feel that way.
“Of course. I’d love to.”
You bastard!
“And like I said before,” Allistair continues. “I’m totally fine going as friends. I won’t let those rumors start up again. Besides, there’s something else I’d like to talk to you about. The ball would be a perfect time for that.”
Yes. Just as friends. That’s good. Blake’s fists clench underneath the table, leg bouncing a mile a minute. Mishkin squeezes his arm, reminding him to keep it together.
“Actually, I was hoping to share the Midnight Dance with you,” Inez smiles. “We can talk then about whatever you like.”
Allistair’s eyes go wide, and Blake focuses his scowl onto his untouched plate.
Say no, you idiot! Call her out!
But how could he know? Aside from her clothes, Inez looks fine. There was blood on her face, but he can’t see an injury. Could it be in her hair? He bites his lip, breath shuddering. What the hell did he do to you?
“The Midnight Dance?” says Allistair. “Are you sure? You always sneak out before it happens.”
Yes! Good man! See your way through this! Tear down her façade!
“That dance should be with someone you care about,” Allistair continues, shooting another quick glance at Blake. “Someone you have romantic feelings for.”
Yes! Keep going! My brother!
“That’s right,” Inez grins, dragging a finger up his neck to lift his chin. “And there’s no one else I’d rather share that experience with.”
Lies! You know she’s lying. Tear it down!
One last glance at Blake, this time less confused. More apologetic.
Don’t you dare.
“If you’re absolutely sure, Inez, I’d love to.”
Blake shoots up from the table, pausing for a moment, remembering to be calm. “Sorry guys, something at breakfast didn’t really agree with my stomach. I don’t have much of an appetite. I’ll be upstairs if you need me.”
He leaves, keeping his pace slow, avoiding Allistair’s apologetic frown. Trying not to let anyone see his frustration.
“No problem, man. If there’s anything you need, come find me.”
Blake holds back his irritated grunt and forces a smile back at him. “Thanks, but I should be fine with some rest.”
He lets out his growl when he reaches the top of the stairs and storms into his room, slamming the door before grabbing his suitcase and throwing it into the far wall, scattering the clothes he never unpacked all over the floor. He storms across the room and drops onto his bed with his hands over his face.
Memories of Inez’s beautiful smile, her addictive kisses, and her infectious giggle are racing through his mind. Those are her real feelings. Nothing has made his heart happier than seeing his feelings for her being reciprocated so purely, so strongly.
She’d just learned to open up to him, trust him, and now blood. Images of her screaming at him to leave, hiding part of her face, and finding her blood on his hands flood into his vision.
Blake’s mind floods with made-up scenarios of what must have happened while Inez was alone with Rex; the fear that must have filled her eyes the whole time. With no one to help her, and no way to help herself.
How many injuries is she hiding under those clothes? The blood on her face must have been from her head, a gash hiding in her hair. She must be in so much pain. How much did it hurt to clean it? To hide it? His heart is tearing at the thought. He wasn’t there to protect her. He isn’t there to help.
He should’ve gone with her. Demanded to stay to hear Rex’s words. He’d take her torment in a heartbeat, whatever that was, if it meant she wouldn’t have to fake-date that damned Prince.
He isn’t sure how much time has passed when a knock at his door snaps him back to reality. He doesn’t answer. Unless it’s Inez, they can go away. Another knock.
“Blake, it’s Mishkin.”
Blake groans out loud, not wanting to see him either. “Come in.”
Mishkin peeks through the door and looks around. “Wow, that bad, huh?”
“What do you think?” Blake snaps as Mishkin closes the door behind him. “I’m not exactly thrilled about what’s going on.”
“Neither am I. You have every right to be furious.”
“What did Inez say after I left? Actually, scratch that, I don’t want to know. Wait, tell me. I need to know as much as I can.”
Mishkin hesitates for a moment, giving him one last chance to refuse the information, but it doesn’t happen. He drops by Blake’s side with a sigh.
“After you left, Inez kept flirting. Then she grabbed her lunch and clung to him the entire time. It was pretty disgusting, actually. Her giggles were so fake, it hurt my soul.”
“And Allistair believed it?”
“Of course not. He knows her better than that. He was confused the whole time, even looked to us for an explanation. Vladik and I just shrugged.”
“Why didn’t you tell him?”
“If this is his fault, telling him would sound too much like an accusation. If it wasn’t him, he won’t believe us. No one will. Rex is a savior in this troupe. A majority of the mansion will always take his side. It’s not like we can ask Inez to strip down and look for bruises.”
“The dressing room!” Blake stands. “Everyone shares a dressing room, right? Won’t someone notice while we change?”
“Change for what? We’re still on vacation. Our next tour doesn’t start for months. No one else is getting married soon either.”
“Shit, that’s right.” Blake drops back onto his bed, rubbing his temples and taking deep breaths to keep himself collected. The silence that hangs between him and Mishkin isn’t comforting.
“The blood was on Inez’s face,” says Blake. “I only know that because that’s the only place I touched when she came back down. Now she’s all cleaned up, and you can’t even tell she’s hurt. Whatever happened, it was bad enough for blood to pour from her head. Her fucking head, Mishkin!”
Blake runs his fingers through his hair, begging his mind to stop replaying the images of what must’ve happened.
Mishkin’s lips form a tight line, and his eyes drop to the floor.
“Allistair has to be in on it,” Blake says. “He probably told Rex that he suspected something and asked him to fix it.”
“If that were the case, he’d be rubbing it in your face right now, d
on’t you think? Not calling you a good man and giving you his support. Besides, even when his attitude gets a little twisted, he won’t let anyone get hurt. Especially not Inez.”
Blake drops his hands to his lap and cranes his head back to focus on the details of his ceiling. He notes each curve and detail, anything to push out the images from his imagination.
Mishkin has a point, but he can’t forgive Allistair for going along with it.
“So, what do we do then?” Blake asks. “We can’t just let this happen.”
“No, we can’t. But it’ll be more effective to pull the rug out from under Rex’s feet without him knowing. If we can undo his plan without coming at him directly, it’ll send a message. He’ll realize he’s losing control, and he’ll do everything he can to make sure that doesn’t happen. As he does, his savior façade will slip, and they’ll all turn against him.”
Blake looks at Mishkin with wide eyes. “You want to tear Rex down completely.”
“That wasn’t always my intention.” Mishkin shrugs. “But that man almost had me killed just to have his way. And now he hurt my little sister and left her blood on her boyfriend’s hands. On my friend’s hands. I’m not putting up with someone like that anymore. Besides, don’t you want to tear him down too?”
“Of course, but how? Allistair won’t help us. He doesn’t seem to mind. He got his spot as the future leader and the woman of his dreams, all by default.”
“He doesn’t mind because he has no idea. Allistair’s image of his father is as pure as everyone else’s. Still, he’s smart enough to see through Inez’s lies. He’ll get the truth out of her before the ball.”
“And what if he doesn’t? The ball is only three days away.”
“Then you go with us.” Mishkin smiles, patting Blake’s back. “Vladik and I will be your dates, and we’ll do whatever we can to make sure the Midnight Dance belongs to you and Inez!”
Blake smiles at Mishkin’s offer before he goes back to staring at the ceiling. The tearing in his heart turns to a dull ache as he drops his gaze to the floor.
“Honestly, I wouldn’t be so mad if that’s how she really felt. If she told me she loves Allistair, it would sting, but it would be fine. Her happiness is the most important thing to me. But that isn’t what’s happening. She’s hurt. She’s being manipulated. Threatened. She’s doing this because she’s terrified of whatever happened up there. I couldn’t protect her; I couldn’t stop it from happening. And now I can’t even hold her in my arms. I can’t comfort her. I’m useless and it makes me sick!”