Didi
Tina watches me as she pulls up at Talia’s house, and I unclip my belt. “I can’t believe you live here now. And that you’re dating Remington Vital.”
I shake my head. “I’m not dating Remy.”
She shifts her gaze up to the house. “You’re living with him.”
“I’m living with all of them,” I remind her. “Plus, it’s just a frat house. They had an extra room, and I needed a place to stay.”
She arches a brow, and I admire her updo she’s managed to keep in place all day with copious amounts of hairspray. “And for two days now, you’ve ridden in with him.” I’ve also slept in his bedroom the last two nights, though I don’t tell her that.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come out with me tonight? The Sigma are having a party on the football field. It’s sure to be a good time.”
“No thanks. I think I’ll wait around for Remy. I’ll see you around, Tina; thanks for the ride.”
I say goodbye and go inside as the sun dips below the horizon. The front door is open, so I walk in and am greeted by nothing but silence.
Everyone is still out. Remy, Bax, and Tommy have track practice, and Talia usually works late doing research with the professor.
I’ve determined they are all quite boring, nothing at all like the death cult I thought they were.
They are doing a good job hiding in plain sight, and I can see how they’ve stayed under the radar for as long as they have.
Their parents included.
I head straight up to Remy’s room, where I’ve been sleeping the past few nights since I’ve arrived, and settle into his bed with my textbook. I’ve gotten more studying done this past week than any other week in my entire life.
The smell of him wafts from the pillows, and the anticipation of him coming home causes a deep longing inside my heart.
The last few nights have been quiet and blissful with Remy. We both read and study, and then he curls up beside me, and we kiss until I fall asleep.
And unlike Tommy, he doesn’t push me for more.
I’ve kissed Remy more times than Tommy now. Our kisses go on until my lips are swollen, and I drift off to sleep next to him, lost in a dreamy haze.
Thinking about that makes me drown in dread. I used to stare at Tommy for hours and get lost in his lips. But whatever was between Tommy and me is over. He doesn’t want me anymore. I just wish I didn’t have this Tommy-sized hole in my heart.
After a few minutes, I’m thirsty, so I throw on a sweater, put on some eyeliner, and head to the hallway. As I move through the house, a chilling whisper seems to hang in the air, raising goosebumps on my skin.
The house speaks to me—whispers echoing off through the walls. It gives me the creeps, as if someone is watching me. The Sheffield house didn’t moan like this, and at least the ghosts there had the decency to stick to themselves.
I walk along the hallway and pause at a photo of Tommy and Talia.
He has his arm around her, and she is beaming, with her dark slick hair pulled to the side, but neither of them are staring at the camera.
Something caught their attention. Remy, ruggedly handsome, is in the background, looking directly at me, as if the photo was taken just for this moment.
In the next photo, Talia and Remy stand close together, bathed in sunlight. They’re young in this picture, barely teenagers, and neither are smiling. I study Talia, and though she appears lovely and composed, there’s a haunting expression in her eyes.
I suppose that’s what happens when you hide dark secrets—eventually, they decay your soul. Talia and Remy have been harboring secrets for a very long time.
I descend the curved staircase to the main floor, my feet dragging on the blood-red carpet adorning the floor. A cool draft snakes over my skin as I step down the stairs. I stop and peer up at the giant photo of the man with sinister eyes and a dark, thick mustache.
Matteo Vital, 1752
I blink at him. Are you watching me, old man? Are you the original Shadowface?
The mirror at the entrance catches my attention, and for once, I don’t cringe at my reflection. I’m curvy and well fed, and after just a few days in this house, I’m already starting to see a glow I’ve never had before, as if this house is feeding my dark soul.
There is a bouquet of white flowers on the ledge, so I grab one and break it off the stem and place it behind my ear.
I glance up at the picture. “Do you want me to stay, Matteo?” I whisper to him, and his eyes sparkle in response.
“It’s settled then,” I tell him, satisfied with myself. “I’ll stay.”
Tommy probably won’t like this, but it’s time for us to talk. He can’t keep avoiding me.
A clang echoes from the kitchen, the first sign of Lucy making dinner.
I can smell the herbs and garlic before I enter the kitchen.
Lucy always seems to be here, even when the rest of us are all in school.
She’s young, around my age, and seems very close to Talia.
Although she’s kept to herself since I’ve arrived. And clearly, she hates my guts.
She doesn’t turn around when I saunter in. “They’re not home yet. Remy won’t be home until later tonight. Can I get you something?”
“I’ll just grab some water and get out of your way,” I mutter.
She glances my way, a nasty smirk twisting her lips. “Tommy will be back soon, in case he’s the one you’re after.”
I snap my head up. “Okay. Thanks.”
With my glass of water in tow, I rush out of the kitchen, but Lucy calls out, “I’ll let you know when dinner’s ready. Talia wants everyone to eat together tonight.”
I stop in my tracks as a wrinkly face greets me at the bottom of the stairs.
Maribel.
We stare at each other for a good long moment. “What are you staring at?”
She doesn’t respond, then continues down the hall that leads into the great room on the other side of the house. For whatever reason, my heart is pounding, and I only take in a breath once she’s gone.
I find her more unsettling than Lucy. I wonder what her story is, and how they came to work for the Vital family as if they are indentured. They must know the secrets of this house, and if that’s the case, then why does Talia let them live.
I motion to head back upstairs, but I stop in front of the doorway that leads down to Tommy’s room and glance toward the kitchen. What does Lucy know, anyway? And what is wrong with that old woman? Why doesn’t she speak?
I push open the door and head into the dark stairwell, descending into the darkness that lies beyond. I haven’t been down to his room since the first night when I hallucinated.
My feet sink into the soft, shaggy carpet when I get to the bottom, and I push through the beaded curtain.
I look around, but the windowless space is dark, though there’s a distinct chill in the air.
I stumble until I find the lamp I was enamored with the first night and click it on to warm it up.
I then move to Tommy’s bed and flop down, glancing around the room under the soft light.
The scene is immediately familiar as I lay my head down, and an ache tightens within me, and I’m suddenly overcome with homesickness.
Home…he reminds me of home. Tommy is my home.
I miss him so much, even though I’m furious with him and I see him every day. I bury my face in his pillow, close my eyes, and the tears start flowing. Then I pass out.