Page 25 of A Madness of Crows

I stare down at her. “Yes.”

I don’t say anything else, but I hold her until she straightens. Her cheeks are flushed when she glances at me awkwardly. “I… we should go.”

I nod. Nobody bothers us as I escort her back to the bedroom. “Everything you need should be there.”

She walks inside. “I’ll see you tomorrow, I suppose.”

The words make their own way from my mouth. “I’ll be at dinner.”

Caterina turns to me, her brows raising in surprise. Fumbling, I feel my cheeks grow warm. “It’s not urgent. I can go anytime.”

And her lips… they twitch up, just a little, as we watch each other, before I mutter a goodbye and pull the door closed behind me.

Day 21 - Domenico

Thud.

“Again.”

Crack.

The voice in my ear purrs, pushing me on as sweat beads on my forehead.

“Harder,” it murmurs. “You have to trulymeanit, Rossi.”

I take a breath, but all I can smell is…smoke.

Dark soot, smeared across Bea’s face, around her lips, her nose. Her beautiful skin darkened to a deep cherry red. And her eyes… open.

Accusing.

Where were you, Domenico?

The man in front of me is sobbing through the gag I strapped to his face. Begging, full of tears and snot and excuses that won’t get him anywhere. Not in this room.

But all I can hear is my sister, screaming for mercy that didn’t come.

Ididn’t come.

Not in time to save her, or Pepe.

Always just that little too late. Always.

A hand lands heavily on my shoulder, squeezing. “That’s it. Remember what’s at risk, Rossi.”

Encouragement and a warning. Honey mixed with poison, reminding me of what happens if I try to refuse.

I tried, at first.

That didn’t last long.

And now I don’t need Matteo’s warnings, as the bat swings.

Screaming.

Blood.

And I watch it all, watch the carnage in that dim basement room as if from a distance as the last of my humanity slips away, flowing into the drains below us as the bat connects again.