Page 145 of His Trick

I set the mask on the table and tugged on a pair of gloves. My movements were deliberate and slow. I’d learned long ago thatcontrol was everything. The slower I moved, the more she shook. The more she shook, the more she obeyed.

I own you both.

“You still think I’m the same brother who used to sneak you candy from the store,” I said, glancing at her. “But you can’t be so dull as to believe that truly. You know deep down I’m not. I haven’t been for a long time.”

Her lips trembled. “Then why…why involve me? Why make me do this?”

“Because he believes you. He always has. That’s why you’re useful. That’s why you’re here. The blinding light he clings to.”

Her breath hitched, and she pressed a hand to her mouth.

“You’re scaring me. Carrington let me go,” she whispered.

“Good.” I tilted my head, staring at the bloody mask. “Fear allows one to tell the truth.”

She started crying harder then, quiet and shaky. I ignored it.

I walked to the window, lifting the edge of the curtain, and peering out into the rain. My car sat across the street, the engine was off, just waiting. Everything was in place. The counterpart to the mask in my hand would be waiting when he got home. Missing its pair, lost without its equal.

He would see it, and he would know.

“Carrington…please stop this,” Xanthy whispered to me. “You’re scaring me so bad. I don’t even know who you are anymore.”

I turned then, slow enough to make her feel the cold truth I set her with. “I told you already,” I said softly. “I’m exactly who I’ve always been. You just never looked close enough.”

Her sob caught in her throat.

I stepped closer to her, letting a smile curl my lips, the mask dangling from my fingertips like a taunt.

“This isn’t about you, Xanthy. Don’t let your ego swell too much. This is about him. He has to come back to where it began.He has to face what he’s done. And you’re going to help me make sure of it.”

She shook her head violently. “I don’t understand what you’re saying?—”

“You don’t have to,” I cut her off. “You just have to trust me.”

She blinked at me through her tears. “You’re my brother. I’m trying to—but you’re really unstable. Please let me get you help, Care.”

I crouched in front of her then, close enough for her to see the tremor in my jaw, the faint tremble in my hand where it held the mask.

“We’re all a little broken, Alexandra,” I said quietly. “Do exactly what I tell you, and maybe Shiloh walks out of this alive.”

Her breathing hitched, her eyes darting between me and the mask. “You’re not going to…hurt him, are you? I thought you said you were helping him!”

I smiled faintly. “That depends on him.”

I straightened up and pulled my coat on, slipping the mask into my bag. “Stay here,” I told her. “Enjoy the rain. Don’t ruin it.”

She stared at me like she didn’t recognize me at all. Maybe she didn’t. Maybe I wasn’t any part of the old me at all.

I moved toward the door, the bag heavy in my hand. Outside, the storm was waiting, cold and jarring. I opened the door and paused, looking back at her one last time.

“You always said you’d do anything for me,” I said. “I took beatings for you and far worse than your pretty little head could imagine. You owe me this.”

Her shoulders shook violently, but after a moment, she nodded, sobbing quietly. “Y-Yes…Carrington…yes.”

Good.

Now I would let her rest. Not too long. Just enough to let her remember that even as a family, obedience was mandatory.