Page 254 of Blackwood

A smile full of lies and a mouth full of teeth.”

I stop breathing. Cade’s hand clamps at my waist. Lex goes rigid, scanning.

“Shame your brother wasn’t there to see,

Zeke always loved a good tragedy.

Might’ve clapped ‘til his hands turned red,

If he weren’t so busy being dead.”

“What the fuck,”Cade growls, tucking me behind him like I’m still that fifteen-year-old girl he used to drive across state lines for.

Lex shoves someone aside, barking into his mic, “Knox. Shut it down. Now.”

“I’m locked out!”Knox snaps back through the comms.

“You’re searching for me now, aren’t you?

Lexie’s eyes cut the room in two.

Whitmore’s poised, so tense, so brave,

But heroes don’t dance on the edge of a grave.

No, no, no… don’t look below,

I’m not the dark you think you know.

I am the stage, the silent scream,

The puppet master in your dream.”

Rez snaps, “Who the fuck is that, Lex?”

Briggs growls, “Who’s watching the girls?”

O’Malley shouts, “I’m heading back to the roof! Keep your eyes peeled, yeah?”

“I said I’d dance, and dance I will.

The room goes on, the air goes still.

You twirled in silk with eyes shut tight,

While something darker kissed the night.”

“Dressing room’s clear, bébé. Haley and Ellie are both safe. For now,” Sabine says.

Jack snaps,“Lock the doors. No one in or out until we catch this bastard.”

“But you looked so beautiful. Haunting. Divine.

Like death dressed up in something fine.

I almost felt it—something cruel,

Till you smiled at him like I’m the fool.”