Nodding to myself in response to his text, I put my phone away and shifted my focus back on the news article.
I felt bad for ignoring Drew all day, but I had only just scratched the surface of information about that night. There were still too many questions left unanswered.
I needed to know more.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
KATHERINE
The sun faded below the horizon and left a golden-orange glow that came in through the library window.
Most of my research had hit a dead end after Drew texted me.
I learned a bit more about Henry from an interview with his widow, but I still didn’t know why he’d met with Adrian that night or how the dagger came into play.
Although I didn’t want to, it might help to talk about what I’d witnessed. There were so many things I wished I had done differently.
I shouldn’t have followed Adrian or tried to run when he heard me.
My mind wandered back to that night.
“No,no, wait, think about this for a second,” Henry pleaded, raising his hands out in front of him. “Don’t do anything rash. Youknow what would happen if you killed me? They’ll come for it. They’ll come for her.”
“I’d like to see them try.” Adrian chuckled. “I’ve already secured my future.”
“Please,” Henry begged. “Do you really think an engagement will stop the Reaper from getting her back?”
Adrian tilted his head as if in thought, then shrugged. “I’ll take my chances.”
Three shots rang out. Henry’s body crumpled face first into the dirt at Adrian’s feet.
This time, I couldn’t contain the gasp that stole all the breath from my lungs. My vision blurred and silent tears cascaded down my cheeks.
H—he’s dead.Adrian killed him.
My body shook with fear, and my hand tightened around my phone. I should have called 911 right then, but I couldn’t tear my eyes from Henry’s still, lifeless body.
My gaze flickered to Adrian, who lowered his weapon and approached Henry, picking up the item that Henry still had clutched in his hand.
With Adrian’s back to me, I released the breath I’d been holding and slowly backed away.
I have to get out of here. He can’t know that I followed him.
With each backward step I took, my mind spun. I couldn’t help but think I was next. I shuffled back quicker with each panicked thought.
What if he saw me? What would he do? Would he shoot me, too? Would he?—
A loud clang reverberated throughout the alleyway. I quickly glanced down at the tin paint can as it rolled across the dirt.
No. No, no, no. Shit!
I quickly glanced back over my shoulder to see Adrian’s dark eyes narrowed on me.
“Emilia?” Adrian’s deep voice shook with confusion and anger.
His tone alone caused goosebumps to rise all over my body. I wanted to run, but I completely froze as more tears fell down my cheeks.
A sinister grin spread across his handsome face as he took his first step toward me, the gun still firmly in his grasp.
