Page 89 of Shadowface

“And how do we know if we get…marked?” Misty asks.

I glance at her and roll my eyes. What a stupid question.

“I don’t know that, either,” I say, looking around and glancing at the curved entryway to the house, soft shadows dancing from within. We wander around for a few minutes, and I quickly realize finding Lincoln will be like finding a needle in a haystack.

My eyes stay fixed on those flickering windows and the warmth and mystery inside.

“I have to pee,” I lie as an icy breeze runs through the fabric of my thin dress and bare legs. I need to get inside of that house.

“We’re so coming with you,” Dani says. “Let’s do our best not to split up this time.”

That’s probably for the best…for my sake. But if Lincoln’s here, I’m going to find him.

As we step into the darkness, heading toward the house looming ahead, my eyes briefly meet Dani’s and a breath escapes me, taken aback. With a devilish glint in her eyes, Dani looks at me, as if she, too, embodies Shadowface. As I watch her with that face, my body trembles, and not in a bad way.

“It doesn’t look like anyone is in there,” Dani says.

“I guarantee they are inside,” I mutter. “And I bet it’s warm in there.”

We step toward the house and see the front door is actually being guarded by two masked men. As we walk up, one of them crosses his arms and stares us down…me, in particular.

“Let me in,” I snap at him. My patience is wearing thin.

He tilts his head and, to my surprise, he steps to the side, allowing us entry. I walk through first, and right as I cross the threshold, he shuts Misty and Dani out.

I glance back at him, only to be met with an iron wall. “What the fuck?”

“Only one goes in, and it’s you.” He smirks. “Your friends will have to stay out here.”

I grit my teeth and look at Misty and Dani standing a few feet away. Dani merely shrugs and waves goodbye. “Just go,” she says. “I’ll be in shortly, don’t worry.”

She stands back with Misty, leaving me facing the guards.

I’m invisible in this mask, but there is no way he’s not here, watching me as he always is. The guard grabs a flask and jerks his head for me to tilt my head back.

“You’ve got to be kidding me. I’m not drinking that.”

“Everyone drinks.” He shrugs. “How badly do you want in?”

I don’t fight it. I let him grab my chin, pull up my mask, and pour the monstrosity down my throat.

“Have fun,” he says and nudges me through the doorway. I lift both arms at Dani, who I’m certain is reeling, because I truly have no idea what’s going on. These two can deal with the wrath of Dani; I bet she will be in right after me.

Two more people push through and try to enter the house, but they are immediately denied access. “Sorry, no entry unless you’re invited,” the guard says and pushes the two guys back.

“How come she got in?” one of them whines, pointing at me standing awkwardly inside the door.

The bigger of the two men crosses his arms. “She was invited. I don’t make the rules, man, I follow them. Now get the hell back before I get in shit.”

I get chills. Goosebumps prickle my arms in the way he says it.

How did Lincoln find out I was coming? I certainly don’t remember being invited, unless you consider that ominous card pushed under our door an invite. He had ample opportunity to personally invite me earlier this evening when I was degrading myself in front of him. All he had to say was⁠—

Hey, pretty girl, want to come over tonight?

Simple.

I also thought this society was supposed to be a secret, but it seems like everyone knows exactly who they are.