All the World

by Vaughan, Rachel L.

  “This is all your fault!” she hissed. “You couldn’t keep your mouth shut!”

  Pity shimmered in Scarlet’s eyes. “Power corrupts, and you were corrupted by power. We all have been cursed by the hunger for power! Perhaps you have a place in the deepest circle of Hell as well.”

  That comment sent Bella over the edge. She ripped the blade out of her sister’s chest and raised it above her head. Blood oozed along the metal office utensil and trickled down her wrist as though it were a swollen vein.

  “You and your husband are the only ones who deserve a place in Hell!” Bella yelled, charging at Scarlet.

  “Stay away from her!” bellowed Mayor MacDougal. He quickly pushed Scarlet behind him. The unhinged woman stumbled and grabbed Lexie for support.

  Bella, eyes fixed on Scarlet, tried to dodge by the mayor. Lexie choked back a shout and loosened her hold on the door frame. She tried to move, but Scarlet’s grip on her shoulders was too tight.

  “Let me go! We need to move!” begged Lexie while staring at the fuming Leer sister.

  Bella shifted the pointed piece of metal between her hands before gripping the hilt and measuring the distance between herself and Scarlet. Lexie screamed when she realized Bella intended to throw the letter opener.

  Her scream caused the mayor to jump. He snatched at Bella’s arm with both hands and failed to grab it. Bella bared her teeth and refocused on Scarlet, but Mayor MacDougal spit in her face and seized the weapon. He shouted and opened his hand to reveal deep, red slices where the blade had pierced his palm and fingertips.

  The room suddenly became very still, and all eyes were fixed on Mayor MacDougal. The letter opener clattered to the floor, and he shifted his foot so he was standing on it. He stared at his cut hand with a mixture of fascination and horror. His mouth opened as he turned his hand back and forth before his face.

  “Blood will have blood,” he murmured as he dipped his finger into the blood pooling in his palm. The man ran his finger along the side of his hand as though he were doing nothing more than finger painting. “Just like in the dreams.”

  Lexie’s mind flashed back to Mayor MacDougal’s therapy session with Dr. Lindegaard. She remembered him describing how his nightmares always ended with him saying those haunting words.

  He also said two of the witches looked like Bella and Donna Leer. He killed both of them in the nightmares. Will he kill Bella?

  Lexie doubted that the slicing of a hand fulfilled the words “blood will have blood.” There was no way a few drops of blood would pay for murder. She wondered how many people in that room would shed blood for evil deeds committed in the past.

  “That’s right!” Bella shouted. “Blood will have blood!”

  She attempted to charge through Mayor MacDougal, but the man continued to block her path. Their struggle looked like a morbid dance as they clashed to and fro. Lexie wiggled out of Scarlet’s grasp and gently tried to push the disturbed woman out of the room.

  Perhaps Bella will calm down if Scarlet is out of sight.

  Unfortunately, Scarlet only made it a few steps before turning and shouting about red spots and Hell. There was a loud thump, and Lexie saw the mayor lying on the floor. He was breathing deeply, and his peppery hair was covered with so much sweat that he looked like he had just stepped out of a shower.

  “James!” Scarlet called out her husband’s name as she stared into the room. “James!”

  Scarlet’s bloodshot eyes flickered to Lexie’s face, and then she tangled her fingers in the fabric of Lexie’s shirt. Lexie’s protests died in her throat when Scarlet dragged her deeper into the room.

  “James! James!”

  “Bella is going to kill you!” Lexie frantically explained. “You can’t go back! It’s too dangerous! Let me call the police! They can help before anyone else gets hurt!”

  “No, they can’t!” Bella snarled.

  The last remaining Leer sister was standing inches away from Lexie and Scarlet. Bella’s arms looped around Lexie’s waist, and she threw her to the floor.

  How is it that I always end up on the ground?

  Hoping to trip Bella, Lexie latched onto her leg. The woman caught herself on the door frame, her bloodied nose leaving red smears on the white paint. She muttered something in a low voice that was so garbled Lexie couldn’t make out what she was saying. Moments later, Bella slammed her knee into the side of Lexie’s face.

  “Damn it!” Lexie clutched at her head.

  “Yes, yes, everyone here is damned!” Scarlet exclaimed.

  Bella grabbed Scarlet by her hair and pulled as hard as she could. The woman let herself be dragged and did not seem to realize the danger she was in.

  “You never should have opened your mouth!” spat the Leer sister. “We could have kept our dirty secret between us! Look at what you’ve done!” Bella gestured at Donna’s body.

  Scarlet shook her head. “The blood of your sister is on your own hands. I see the spots now.”

  There was no hesitation or pity in Bella’s eyes as she lowered her hands to Scarlet’s face and snapped her neck. The crack sent chills through Lexie, and she could not stop the scream that escaped her mouth. One of Scarlet’s black shoes came off her foot and landed by the mayor’s head when her limp body hit the floor. Lexie scooted away from the bodies, bumping into something long and lean. Her eyes travelled upward only for her to discover she was leaning against Cesare’s legs. But Lexie was too weak to even attempt to move. A look of shock was plastered on his face, and he clutched his phone so tightly that the bones of his knuckles were visible through his skin.

  Mayor MacDougal turned his head to stare at Scarlet. Tears filled his eyes and tremors shook his body as he sobbed for his dead wife. He mouthed her name over and over before covering his face and howling in anguish. Then he went very still, and Lexie realized that he had fainted.

  I hope he stays alive! The plea flickered through Lexie’s mind as she watched Bella’s eyes shift around the office.

  “I’m going to kill you too!” Bella stood by the mayor’s head with her hands on her hips. “You don’t deserve to live!”

  “He can face a judge and jury for his crimes. Is there any reason more blood needs to be shed today?” Cesare’s voice was tense and clipped, a sign that he was very uncomfortable.

  Bella spun to face Cesare. “This is what needs to be done! This is justice!”

  “Then Lady Justice must be blinder than I thought,” Lexie muttered, her eyes darting to the painting of the blindfolded woman behind the desk.

  Lexie slid backward when Cesare walked around her. She shuffled around on the floor until she was leaning against the wall. Lexie closed her eyes and breathed in deeply for a moment.

  I just wanted to ask about a magical key. Instead I get thrown into a bloodbath!

  Bella paced from the unconscious mayor to her dead sister. She turned away from Cesare and stared down at the floor, the muscles tightening in Bella’s bony shoulders. Bella leaned forward until her torso was balancing over the desk. The room remained silent with the exception of Cesare sending another text message.

  “You are just as guilty as Donna and the MacDougals, Mr. Garland,” Bella hissed softly. She spun back around with a hole puncher in one hand and stapler clutched in the other. “You plotted against me too! You want Vernon Hills for yourself!”

  Cesare’s hazel eyes were impassive as he regarded the irate woman. “I didn’t know you three years ago. How could I have plotted against you in the last election if we had never met? You’re rage is misplaced.”

  Those were the wrong words. Bella’s face was so contorted with fury that she looked like a rabid animal. She flung the hole puncher at Cesare, missing him by mere inches. Then she threw the stapler which managed to make contact with Cesare’s calf. The man hopped back and rubbed his leg.

  “Get a hold of yourself!” Cesare commanded sharply as Bella’s hands scrambled on the desk in search of other objects to use as weapons. “Let’s call t
he police and sort everything out.”

  “No!” Bella screeched, chucking a box of pens.

  The box opened as it flew through the air. Lexie hid her face in her knees as pens rained down on her like sleet. She flinched as several smacked her neck. They clattered to the floor and rolled away. Lexie carefully lifted her head and watched Cesare kick a pen, sending it out the door. Bella now had a tape dispenser in her hand and was storming forward.

  She’s so pissed off that she doesn’t care who she hurts! I have to get out of here!

  A flood of dizziness hit Lexie as she used the wall to stand up. She curled her hands into fists so tightly that she could feel her fingernails digging into her palms. Lexie leaned forward for balance, and pain shot through her fingers as her knuckles absorbed all the weight.

  The ripping of fabric caused Lexie to turn around. She saw Bella tearing the pocket off Cesare’s shirt with one hand.

  “Let go of my shirt!”

  Bella threw the piece of fabric and swung the tape dispenser. Cesare caught her wrist and snatched the heavy object out of her hand. However, Bella was not deterred. She reached up and grabbed Cesare’s neck with both hands. Bella’s fingers tightened so swiftly that Lexie could see Cesare’s face turn pale.

  “I just wanted to be mayor and help the people of Vernon Hills! Is that such a terrible sin?” Bella shouted as she pulled Cesare’s head down so he was forced to look into her eyes. Lexie was certain she heard a pop come from his neck or back.

  “Let go of me, you crazy woman!” There was no panic in Cesare’s voice, just anger.

  “No!”

  Cesare adjusted his grasp on the tape dispenser and swung his arm up.

  “What are you doing? Stop!” screamed Lexie.

  The tape dispenser made a sickening crunching sound when it crashed into the side of Bella’s head. Cesare released his hold on Bella and the tape dispenser, and both fell to the ground with loud thumps. The sight of the blood splattered on the floor and over Cesare’s arm caused Lexie to scream. She let out a loud, long wail and buried her fingers in her hair.

  Okay, I’ve had enough! This is too much! Make this stop!

  The office was silent as Lexie and Cesare stared at each other. Lexie was shocked at what had just happened. Cesare wasn’t a good person, but Lexie never dreamed he would commit murder. Yet, a dead woman was on the floor beside him.

  Lexie couldn’t read his face. The color was coming back into his cheeks and his eyes were calm, devoid of any distinct emotion. Slowly, almost cautiously, Cesare walked over and stood in front of Lexie. His close proximity made her feel tiny and frail.

  Gathering what little courage she had left, Lexie looked up and held Cesare’s gaze. Her voice cracked and splintered as she whispered, “Are you going to kill me too?”

  He shook his head, and Lexie felt some of the panic leave her chest. Cesare stepped back, giving Lexie room to collect herself. Maybe he’ll call the police. Maybe I’ll get taken back to the hospital.

  “No, I’m not going to kill you,” Cesare answered. He clasped and unclasped his hands several times, and the sound of skin on skin made Lexie nauseous. She looked away and focused on a coat rack.

  Suddenly, Cesare’s palm collided with Lexie’s face, leaving her jaw stinging. She turned and glared at Cesare. He grabbed her shoulders and slammed her harder against the wall. “I don’t want to kill you, but I want to know that I gave you some of those bruises on your face. They’ll turn purple soon, the color of victory robes.”

  “What? Victory robes?” Lexie asked sharply. She pushed at his shoulders. “Are you trying to mark your territory or something? I don’t care how many bruises you give me! I’m not yours!”

  Cesare lifted one hand from her shoulder and ran his fingers along her throat. Then he curved his hand around the side of her neck, his thumb pressing against Lexie’s windpipe. Lexie felt his grip tighten, and she tilted her head upward in an attempt to remove Cesare’s fingers. However, he merely shifted his hand so Lexie’s throat was caught between his thumb and forefinger.

  “Cesare, stop! Please stop! You said you weren’t going to kill me! Let go!” Lexie choked out, shocked at her current predicament. Her voice was so strangled that her fear was reflected in the grip of her fingers rather than the volume of her pleas.

  “I can’t breathe!” Lexie gasped, and she jammed the heels of her hands into Cesare’s shoulders. “Please don’t do this, Cesare! You’re hurting me!”

  The pits of Cesare’s eyes were smudged with darkness. “I know. I want you to know what I can do to people who betray me! Garland Corporation belongs to me! I won’t let you sell my secrets to my father!”

  “I don’t care about the company!” Lexie’s voice grew softer and softer, each word punctured by a squeaky gasp.

  Cesare leaned forward, his mouth close to Lexie’s ear. “Then why did you interrupt this meeting? Were you going to feed information to my dad?”

  “Why did you visit Flora?” asked Lexie, her voice barely audible.

  The tall man’s grip loosened. “Why would I visit her? She has nothing to offer me.”

  Lexie breathed in deeply, relishing the oxygen filling her lungs. “I saw the flowers and card you sent in her hospital room! Quit playing games!”

  “I would never give gifts to someone so beneath me! Everyone is beneath me, even my father! God is my judge, not Dad and certainly not you!” Cesare bellowed in Lexie’s face before spinning away from her.

  Lexie felt a jolt in her stomach. He’s cursed too! But how? He doesn’t live in Vernon Hills. Should I even bother asking about the key?

  “Cesare, did you find an old key in the Stratford Theatre?”

  “The theatre was destroyed. Why would I want a key to a demolished building? My dad asked that same, stupid question.”

  Does Guillaume Garland have something to do with this? Is he the real villain?

  Footsteps caught Lexie’s attention. She turned around to see a young woman dressed in black slacks and a blue blouse standing at the door. Lexie recognized her as Cesare’s secretary.

  “I got your text and made all the proper arrangements,” the woman said.

  “Very good, Emily,” Cesare replied, his voice calm and businesslike. “What is the exact story I will give the police?”

  Emily glanced briefly at Lexie before turning back to her boss. “You were at the meeting when James MacDougal suddenly admitted that he killed the former mayor. His grief manifested itself so violently that he attacked and killed everyone. James was overcome with horror and fainted. You are only alive because he passed out before he could reach you. Alexandra Stanley was never here and knows nothing.”

  “Do you really expect me to back up your story?” Lexie demanded. “I saw you murder a woman! You tried to kill me!”

  Cesare gave Lexie one of his trademark smirks. “I think you will, considering the alternative stories will land you in prison or a psychiatric ward. I could always say you murdered everyone because we tore down the theatre. Who would the police support? A businessman striving to improve the community or a little woman distraught over the ruin of a theatre?”

  “I forgot that blackmail is one of your talents,” Lexie grumbled. How can he be so cunning when he’s cursed? The police will believe him over me. He probably has our conversation at his office recorded. But how can I let him get away with this? How can I allow him to let another man take the blame for Bella’s murder?”

  “I also could implicate your friends by saying you guys planned this massacre after the riot in the theatre parking lot. Now, I bet the tabloids would have a field day with that story!” Cesare laughed and grabbed Lexie’s hip, his fingers catching in the belt loop of her jeans.

  “Get away from me!”

  Cesare tugged her forward, kissed her cheek, and studied her face. “When I let go, you need to leave the building. I want you to walk down the hall and out the front door without saying a single word. Go be with your friends and stay out of m
y way.”

  Chapter Twelve: Hidden in Plain Sight

  The tiles of the bathroom floor in the Windsor Bar were large and black with flecks of grey. Lexie imagined they had been chosen for the simple fact that they could easily hide dirt and grime. She choked back a sob as images from the massacre in town hall flashed through her head. She remembered blood drying on the beige floor, staining it the color of rust. The memory of Donna Leer leaning against a desk with the letter opener sticking out of her chest caused Lexie to tighten her grip on the toilet and vomit a second time.

  No matter how hard she tried, no matter how desperately she prayed, Lexie knew she would never forget what she had seen less than an hour ago. Sister turning on sister over their father’s legacy and brutal murders over politics were things that only happened in movies and books. Lexie never imagined she would witness such savagery in real life.

  People shouldn’t do shit like this! Lexie closed and opened her eyes several times before her stomach squirmed and bile rose in her throat. How can the curse turn people into animals? Is it really that powerful? Everything is going to hell because of a tiny, old object.

  She leaned forward and continued to retch until nothing was left in her stomach. Lexie took a shaky breath and started to stand, but another wave of nausea forced her back to her knees. Lexie convulsed as brutal dry heaves tore through her body. She heard her voice echo around the bathroom, but she couldn’t tell if she was laughing or crying.

  Lexie pulled herself off the bathroom floor with shaking arms. Puking in a toilet would do nothing to help her friends. She also wasn’t sure what Cesare would really say to the police. Everything and everyone was disposable to him. If he pinned the riot at the theatre and the murders in town hall on herself and her friends, there would be no one to stop the curse. The story would be an easy way for Cesare to keep blood off his hands.