Page 46 of Unholy Masks

Turtle Mocha: Looks like he’s ready to make his move now. Be careful.

I put the phone down, counting the seconds as they dragged into minutes. The clock grew louder.

Tick.

Tick.

Tick.

Mason finally decided it was time.

The shadows were enough for him to creep in, unseen. Predators always loved the obscurity darkness offered.

“Are you the predator here, or am I, Mason? You’ll find out soon enough.”

The bell rang, once, twice. I took my sweet time. I was in no hurry.

Turtle Mocha: I’m ready when u r.

Me: I’m born ready ;)

I pulled on my gloves, put on the blonde wig, and took a steadying breath. The idea was to momentarily unsettle him with a curveball. Just enough to catch him off guard, to make him vulnerable. Everyone makes mistakes when they’re surprised, and tonight, I needed Mason to make a little one.

Just a tiny mistake. That would be enough for me to crucify him.

I switched on a single light bulb, only enough to fill the seeping darkness before opening the door.

Mason blinked, taking an instinctive step back.

“Who are you?” I asked, tilting my head, my eyes sharp on his face.

“Ka-kat?” He took a sharp breath. “I’m looking for Kat.”

He wasn’t supposed to announce his arrival. He was supposed to do it without anyone catching on. But of course, he didn’t expect a second person.

“Kat’s my sister,” I said with a satisfied grin, watching him flinch at my words. “Do you want me to call her?

“N-no. I mean, yes.” His words stumbled over each other as he flushed red.

“She’s upstairs. Want to come in?”

He was scrambling now, trying to find a way out, and then his phone rang. The relief on his face…

His eyes flickered from my face to the phone. He waved it at me.

“I’ve to take this. It’s important.”

It’s not important. It’s just my sexy as sin co-worker calling.

He whirled away, answering the phone, and then his face paled.

He turned to look at me, his confusion deepening as I smiled. He paled further. He knew something was wrong. He was ready to… bolt, to abandon his mission.

I tutted.

“No. Nope!”

Ryden appeared from the shadows and Mason jerked back in fear.