The Alhambra performance that night had a masquerade theme for all of the attendants. I was able to get a mask off of a Templar guarding the theatre, and then blend in with the crowd to get inside the building.
Once in, I was able to climb to the highest row of seats, and look down upon the entirety of the hall. There were four people among the crowd that were wearing identical masks to the one I had seen Roth wearing before he’d gotten inside the building.
Before getting down, I heard Roth’s voice echoing throughout the theatre, “Madames and messieurs, ladies and gentlemen, welcome, to the Alhambra Music Hall! Tonight’s performance immortalizes and is for the benefit of, a young fellow very near and dear to my heart. Any complaints or concerns may be addressed to him. Jacob, dear boy, tonight, is for you.”
I headed towards the nearest of the men wearing Roth’s mask. He wasn’t Roth. Neither was the second man I approached. As I darted around the theatre, I heard Roth’s voice, still echoing throughout the building, taunting me.
“Don’t hide from me, darling!"
“Are your principles shifting, dear?”
“This man is about to die for you, Jacob!"
I tried desperately to ignore the phrases and try to find which masked man was Roth. The third wasn’t him, nor was the fourth and final. Exasperated, I called out, “Roth! Show yourself!” As I did, a man on the stage took off his mask. Roth took off his mask.
I turned my attention to the stage as Roth spoke, a glass in his right hand, “I hope you’ve all enjoyed yourselves this evening. I know I have. Now, I’d like to propose a toast to all who have gathered here to celebrate life,” He paused dramatically, “And death.” Two other Templars made their way out onto the stage, carrying torches. Roth smiled, throwing his glass onto the ground, “Go on. Toast ‘em!” They did as he requested, using their torches to start setting things on fire, and Roth spoke once more, “Burn. Burn! Burn!” He laughed maniacally, looking out at the crowd, “Your move, Jacob my dear!”
I cleared the way towards the main exit of the building, making sure all the innocents had a sure way out before it collapsed. Once I was certain everyone was safely outside, I ran back into the burning theatre. I found Roth on the stage, and tackled him, pinning him firmly against the ground.
“Darling!” Roth grinned, “What a night! The stuff of legends.”
“Why did you do it?” I asked, anger and hurt clear in my voice, “All of it?”
“What?” Roth beamed, “Snap a baby crow’s neck between my thumb and forefinger? Slice to bits the ones you deem innocent? Keep the world in it’s divine manic state?”
“Yes! All of that!”
“For the same reason I do anything,” Roth paused, “Why not?” He reached up, holding my face in his palms, tracing the length of my jaw with his thumb, “You could have joined me. We could have knocked Starrick off his high horse.”
“Roth, I…” I closed my eyes, remembering Evie’s number one rule. My father’s number one rule. Don’t let your feelings compromise the mission.
“Jacob Frye, it doesn’t have to end this way,” Roth said, softly, “You and I don’t have to be enemies. You don’t have to assassinate me here. We can be what we were earlier today. What we were two days ago. What we have been since we met.”
“And what exactly is that?” I asked.
“Partners both in and out of crime. I’ve made it very obvious how I feel,” Roth brought one of his hands up further, running his thumb over the scar through my left eyebrow, “Whatever happens next is up to you.”
I closed my eyes again. Thinking of Evie. Thinking of my parents. Thinking of everything Roth and I had been through. I met Roth’s gaze, “I won’t lie, Maxwell. I care about you. You’re the first man I’ve ever felt this strongly about.”
Roth’s expression softened, “I’m honored.”
“But...I need you to promise me, look me in the eyes and promise me that you won’t do things like this anymore. That you won’t harm innocent people anymore. Can you do that?”
“For you, darling? I can try.”
I gathered Roth into my arms, and hurried out of the still burning theatre.
YOU ARE READING
The Masks We Hide Behind
Hayran Kurgubasically a bit of an alternate spin on The Final Act. A spin in which Jacob still attends the show of Corvus the Trickster at the Alhambra, but can't bring himself to finish Roth off. There's too much tension between them, and he wants to see how f...
