Alek watched Rae take command of a group of kids who had started throwing rocks at a house directly across the street from Greenwood Apartments. It had been hard leaving Nicole this morning, but he had to do this last thing for his aunt before he could spend the rest of the day in bed with her. As far as he was concerned, he could spend the rest of his life holding her. But after what was laid out last night, he knew their battle on this island had just begun.
Rae scolded one of the kids around her, bringing Alek back to the situation at hand. He saw a kindred spirit in the girl, who wanted to keep her brother in a coma. He saw a girl whose destiny walked a fine line, and with the slightest push, could go either way. She wanted to make something of herself. Of that, he was sure. But inside this darkened place, she would only rise so far. And not in the right way.
Petronela, despite her many flaws, was the ideal person to help cultivate the right qualities in Rae. She had some magick and a ruthlessness that could rival his old aunt’s, but she also needed the right guidance if she was going to overcome the burdens that had been laid at her feet. He believed his aunt knew this.
“The one who shines in the murky waters.”
He knew immediately who she was talking about.
Alek didn’t fancy himself a savior, but he could nudge her in the right direction. It was up to her to take the first step. Not missing anything, Rae looked up and spotted him in his car. Head cocked to the side, she studied him with wide-open wonder. No, she didn’t belong in this place of lost dreams. After a short while, she made her way over to him, her footsteps sure as she maneuvered around the now-curious people standing in the street. Obstacles, he thought, feeling bad for putting them in that place. But it was true. Unlike Rae, they had accepted their position in life, and from the looks on their faces, were resigned to live out a life society had shoved on them.
Petronela’s words surfaced in his mind. “You can’t save them all.” She was right, of course, but he could save this one.
“You have another job for me?” Rae asked, leaning in his window. She had weed on her breath. Her eyes looked bloodshot.
“Have you been crying?” he asked.
She looked away, shame riding her. “Nah, brother died. Had to show I cared at least some. Mom draped herself across his coffin like her life had ended or some shit. She didn’t give a fuck about him. And she damn sure doesn’t give a fuck about me. But whatever. I’m getting out of this place. Just watch.”
She cared but didn’t want to show it. Maybe she believed there was shame in it.
“I wanted to talk to you about that.”
She turned back to him. Her eyes had filled with hope. “So, a job then. How much you paying?”
“You want to get in the car so we can talk about it?”
“I don’t do that. Never have and never will. I’ll just stand here.”
Alek nodded. Again, he was struck by her tenacity. Most people in areas like this, faced with the choices she must have been forced to make, usually crumbled. She stood tall, not letting anything take her down. Petronela was right—she was a bright light.
“My aunt could use some help. You heard of Carnavalul de Fear?”
Rae studied him. “The woman that owns that place—Petronela Vaduvu. She’s your aunt?”
“Yes. My great aunt.”
“What she need me for?” Skepticism bloomed across her face. She wouldn’t be fooled. Alek respected that. Time for a little truth, then.
“She doesn’t. But I think she can help you. She’s helped a lot of people.” Alek looked around at the people standing around. “It’s a way out, but it’s your choice.”
“Will I have to kill anybody?” Despite her bravado when they first met, Alek got the impression that killing bothered her—just like it bothered Nicole.
“I won’t lie; I have no idea what you’d be faced with. But again, your choice.” It was important that he made that clear.
Rae turned and leaned against his car. He followed her gaze to the Greenwood Apartments. “If I tell them I’m leaving…” She trailed off, looking at the people gathering around.
“Crabs in a bucket.” They would try and pull her back into the fold. Keep her in the same fucked up position as them.
“Yup. Hold up. I’ll let you give me a ride. I need to get a few things.” She walked off. He noticed the way her back went straight, determination infused in every step.
He wished he could reassure her that being in the presence of Petronela would shield her from the ugly things life would throw at her, but he couldn’t. Besides, she was used to them; had lived in them most of her life. Still, this move would help her; give her the chance she needed. Rae had been cut by cruelty and pain. She could use those skills for good or for evil. If she stayed here, it would lead to evil. With Petronela, there was a chance those skills could be used for good.
Or the gray area he and the rest of the team operated in.
She returned a few minutes later with a backpack thrown over her shoulder. “Let’s get going.” Alek noted the stuffed animal sticking out the side. Rae followed his line of sight. “Don’t mean I’m soft.”
“I didn’t think you were,” he said, pulling away from the curb. “Anyone you want to say bye to?”
“Nah, they’ll forget I’m gone in a few.”
As they drove away, a boom rocked the sky, and soon after, a torrent of rain pounded down on them.
Alek pulled up to the guard station leading to the back of the carnival and noted the guard had been changed. Maybe Petronela had finally decided to get rid of the previous one. Alek knew he wouldn’t last long—not with his sloppy, careless way of checking if someone was supposed to be there.
The new guard looked rattled as he directed Alek to the back. Something was going on. He pulled to the side door and found Stefan leaning against the wall smoking a cigarette, waiting for him.
“I got a bad feeling,” Rae said, looking between Alek and Stefan. “You sure she wanted me to come here?”
Alek stared at the man. His head was down, eyes focused on the ground as if he’d recently been defeated. Alek surged from his car, his mind suddenly on Stefan’s niece, Elena. “Stefan,” he called, and motioned for Rae to wait in the car. “Is Elena okay?”
Stefan lifted his gaze and focused on Alek. “She’s good. She’s with…” He nodded, trailing off. “Go in. Petronela is waiting for you.” His eyes moved over to the passenger seat. “Take her with you.”
Alek hesitated for just a moment, debating if he should take Rae back to Devlin’s until he found out what was going on. But Rae made the decision for him when she got out of the car and joined him on the driver’s side. Alek glanced down at her in question. One word from her, and he’d take her away. Whatever was going on, he didn’t want to involve her.
“I’m good,” she said as if reading his thoughts.
His lips twitched at the reminder of Nicole. She, too, would have wanted to go in, danger be damned. When they entered the hallway, which was thankfully devoid of blood stains, Alek heard raised voices traveling down the hall. Rae looked up at him, then shoved her stuffed animal further into her bag as if showing any sign of weakness right now was a bad idea. He couldn’t agree more.
On impulse, he sent his magick out, seeking the minds inside Petronela’s room. He knew his family would feel his probe, but he didn’t care. He had to know what he was walking into. His magick was met with a wall. They were blocking him.
“In here now, Alexandros!” Petronela roared.
“She don’t sound too happy,” Rae offered.
“She rarely is,” Alek said and placed a hand on her shoulder, urging her forward.
Their footsteps were hesitant as they made their way down the dimly lit corridor. When they arrived at the room, all eyes turned to him—five people total, standing around Petronela, all of them crying.
“What’s happened?” Alek asked, pushing Rae behind him.
“She is safe with us,” Petronela said, scoffing at his gesture. She looked over at a dark-haired woman standing in the corner—his cousin Bria. “Take the girl to Dimitri’s old trailer. Give her supplies and make sure she’s comfortable.” Petronela stood. “Everyone, leave. Alexandros and I have business.”
“But we have to…” a man said before Petronela waved him off. He gave her a look filled with contempt and anger. Alek was surprised Petronela didn’t respond to it. After a brief hesitation, he left with the rest of the people.
Rae hesitated. “You good?” she asked Alek, concerned.
He smiled. “Yes. And Bria’s my cousin. She will take care of you.”
Bria stared at him. “Come see me later, Alexandros. We have catching up to do.”
Alek nodded and watched them both leave. As soon as they were gone, he turned to Petronela. “What’s going on, Auntie?”
Petronela sat, falling into her chair as if the world had suddenly knocked her down. “I am tired, nephew, but there is so much work left to do.” She lit one of her cigarettes, and when she had blown out a cloud of smoke, she continued, “I should have kept a closer eye on Daniella and Ileana; should have known they were up to something.” She pulled a note out of her robe pocket. “But I also should have seen this was coming.”
Alek took the paper and stared down at the scribbled note. His blood rain cold.
They had come for Petronela again.
“Two more girls have gone missing. Bria found this note on the body of their parents. Their throats had been slit.” Her face grew dark.
“What do you need me to do?” Alek asked.
“The rest of us must prepare the bodies and observe our customs. We need someone on the outside to deal with everything else.” Her eyes narrowed. “Find the girls. And then bring me the head of the ones who took them.”