Page 19 of The Broken Note

I tilt my chin up and soak in her newfound humility. No wonder Dutch, Finn, and Zane carry themselves with such arrogance. No wonder they have no problems instilling fear into everyone at school.

There’s something hypnotic about having the upper hand.

Something addictive about holding someone else’s fear. Inhaling it. Tasting it.

It’s delicious.

Mom swallows hard, trying and failing to pretend she’s still in control.

“You wouldn’t do that to me, Cadey,” she purrs.

I stare at her blankly.

Mom’s bottom lip trembles. Her eyes go sharp. “I see.” Chair legs scrape the ground. The table trembles as she rises.

“Wait!”

I whirl around.

Mom’s eyes land on Vi too. A slow, insidious smile spreads on her face as if she senses a new weakness to exploit.

Addicts are so good at that. At looking into a crowd, picking out the ones who can’t say no, the ones who can be coaxed into believing lies, the ones who need a friend and will take anyone for the position.

Mom was the best at fitting herself through even the smallest cracks, the mildest invitations.

“I want to know.” Viola lifts her head. “Why mom’s here. Why she had to fake her death. Whyyouwent along with it.” Her eyes slice through me. “I want to know everything.”

“Viola…” I frown.

“No more secrets!” she shrieks.

“Exactly.” Mom tilts her head and smiles at me. “No more secrets. That’s what I want too.”

Viola nods sharply, pulls out her chair and sits.

I remain where I am.

Both Vi and mom look back at me.

My little sister’s expression makes her seem like a stranger. Her lips are taut, eyes hooded, fingers still.

Pain claws at me.

My heart bleeds through my ribs.

It’s at that moment I realize… I never found Viola tonight. The chirpy, innocent, fun-loving thirteen year-old who walked home from school today fled at the sight of our dead mother.

And that chirpy, innocent thirteen year old never came back.

* * *

Jinx: It’s been a while since I’ve sent you a private message, New Girl. I have a deal for you. It involves something you want and something you don’t.

Jinx: Care to share a secret?

CHAPTERFIVE

CADENCE