Page 125 of The Darkness is Calling

“Even if we wanted to run, we couldn’t,” I say to Oksana in Russian, because she has noticed the detail as well.

“Blyad...” she hisses hopelessly.

But my heart skips a beat when three words steal the air from my lungs.

“Now the dress,” the stylist announces with enthusiasm.

In just a few minutes I’ll walk toward the altar, where Oliver will be waiting for me. My stomach has shrunk to the size of a walnut, and my heart beats harder, screaming that I am making a terrible mistake, and I should run.

But it is too late.

Helped by the “army,” I step into the dress, and within a few moments, I’m able to look in the mirror at my flawless reflection. My hair is loose, falling in soft curls over my bare shoulders. A long veil begins from the diamond crown set atop my head, drifting gently to the middle of my back, and in front, nearly to my breasts.

“Fuck, you’re a real princess,” Oksana says with emotion, squeezing my fingers in hers. “I’m always right beside you. Whatever you need, understood?”

I nod, because I know exactly what she means.

In an instant, Jane appears too, an earpiece in one ear and her assistant following like a puppy. She is glowing with happiness as if this is her own wedding.

One thing is certain: this event has brought her a great deal of money and a major accomplishment for her portfolio.

“Are we ready? We have five minutes.”

Oksana glances quickly into the mirror, looking at her maid-of-honor dress in a peach shade. She wanted it long, straight, and slit up one leg – so she could run in it, according to her.

“Everything is ready,” one stylist declares cheerfully, proud of her team’s work.

I approve, forcing a smile, then draw a deep breath.

The door suddenly opens and my brother appears, impeccably dressed in a dark blue suit, like the eyes now looking at me with pride.

“You are gorgeous, Katyusha,” he exclaims with emotion. “Mama and Papa would have been so proud of your beauty.”

I’m taking a deep breath, trying to stop the tears threatening my eyes. He comes closer, and I straighten the flower pinned to his lapel, smiling at my big brother.

“You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t get here earlier. These days have been pure madness.”

“Your life is always like that.”

He winks at me, making a joke. “Today more than ever.”

“Today should be the exact opposite. A day of relaxation and fun.”

“I don’t is possible,” he says, becoming a little more serious. “Are you okay?”

I nod, but he narrows his eyes because he knows me too well. He knows I’m lying, especially because of the lack of excitement written across my face.

He comes closer and wraps me in his arms.

“It’s going to be OK, Katyusha,” he whispers, kissing the crown of my head, just as he did when we were children and promised he would take care of me.

“Please, don’t ruin the makeup or the dress. She has to be flawless.”

Jane’s words make Mikhail tense, and he gives her a response that is unmistakably his style. “If you want to make it by tomorrow, I recommend you shut the fuck up and let me hold my sister.”

And yet, without rushing, he pulls away, looking at me with a sad smile.