Page 88 of Castle of the Cursed
A shadow falls over us, and we both look up at Sebastián, whose menacing glare is focused on Felipe. Is it nighttime already?
I have just enough time to register that Felipe can see the shadow beast, before I realize what’s going to happen. “Sebastián, don’t!”
But he’s already got Felipe in his grip, eyes wide on discovering he can touch him.
“Please!” I beg, grabbing Sebastián’s arm so he’ll let Felipe go. But he might as well be made of steel.
“Who are you?” the shadow beast demands.
“A messenger.”
“I don’t want your message!” I shout, still tugging on Sebastián’s arm. “I want you to go!”
“My message isn’t for you,” says Felipe, his eyes on the shadow beast.
I feel myself going slack-jawed. How does Felipe know about him?
“Go on,” says Sebastián.
“You want to know who you are?” Felipe twists his neck to look at me. “Ask her.”
My whole body goes cold, and I wish I were anywhere but here.
“What do you mean?” asks Sebastián.
“Estela has a book about you. I gave it to her.”
I back away from them both. I consider stabbing myself with the syringe to avoid this moment as Sebastián turns to look at me, shock in his eyes.
“Not that you need the book,” Felipe goes on. “If you truly want your memories back, all you have to do is drink. They’re stored in Estela’s blood.”
I feel my eyes grow bigger than my face, yet I don’t see renewed shock in the silver galaxies of Sebastián’s gaze. He couldn’t have known this whole time that my blood was the key to unlocking his past… could he?
“Don’t blame me,” says Felipe, and too late I clock the predatory shift in Sebastián’s expression. He’s staring at him dangerously. “Like I said, I’m just the messenger.”
“Yet your message is not in your words.”
I’ve seen that look.
I squeeze Sebastián’s arm with all the strength my muscles can muster. “Sebastián, please! DON’T—”
But he’s already ripped Felipe’s throat open and started to drink.
RAUL’S RULE #10SUSPECTS ARE OFTEN CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR.
CHAPTER 20
THE BLACK SMOKE IS EVERYWHERE.
“Sebastián!” I call into the dark, but I hear nothing back. “Felipe!”
The silence is as thick as the fumes—and when the air finally clears, the scene looks frozen in time. Felipe lies limp in Sebastián’s arms.
I sob.
The sound fractures the silent tableau, and Sebastián’s gaze snaps up. Felipe’s blood smears his mouth and chin.
His silver eyes have darkened to a deeper shade, making his gaze weightier. I wonder if I’ll be the next corpse in his arms.
