I had to leave pretty early in the morning. Roth didn’t mind, and I promised to come back as soon as possible.
I was feeling really good about everything until I got on the train and saw Evie standing with her arms crossed. She glared at me, “Where have you been? Henry and I got home earlier than expected, and you were gone. You didn’t turn up all night.”
“I…” I struggled to think of a believable excuse, “I told you that I had-”
“Rooks to train? That’s your excuse every single time. You’ve been leaving and staying out a lot recently. What’s going on, Jacob? Are you in danger?”
“No.”
“Then what is it? Why have you been sneaking out at night and lying to me about it?” She gasped, “Jacob, are you seeing someone?” When I remained silent, Evie smiled, “Why didn’t you just tell me? I’d love to meet her!”
“I’m not seeing a woman!” I blurted out. I cursed under my breath. Now I was really in trouble.
Evie paused, “I’m sorry for assuming. I didn’t...I didn’t know. But, I don’t care. You’re still my brother, Jacob, and I want you to be happy. And if this man makes you happy, I’d love to meet him.”
I let out a heavy sigh, “I’m not so sure-”
“Jacob, I’m sure he’s wonderful. I trust your judgement. Do you think he’d be willing to meet me tomorrow afternoon?”
“I’ll see what I can do,” I said, panicking on the inside, but somehow managing to look calm and collected.
“I’m looking forward to it,” Evie grinned.
"One condition, actually,” I said quickly.
“Of course.”
“You have to promise me you won’t try to murder him.”
“I’m now mildly concerned, and a little hurt that you don’t trust me, but I agree to your terms. I promise not to try to murder him.”
I was shaking the entire half hour it took for me to get to Roth’s apartment. What was I supposed to do? Actually bring Roth to the train? Convince one of my close friends, either Freddy or Nigel or Ned to pretend to be my boyfriend? Make up some excuse as to why Roth couldn’t meet Evie without hinting at the fact that it was Roth?
I scaled the wall and climbed through the open window, shutting it with my hands still shaking. Roth held them in an attempt to stop their movement, “Darling? I’m glad you’re here, of course. Especially so soon after last time, but something is evidently wrong.”
“Yes. Something is very wrong, Roth. Evie...she found out. Kind of.”
He raised an eyebrow, “I’m not sure what ‘kind of’ means, but since I’m still alive, I’m assuming she doesn’t know everything. What is she aware of?”
“She knows I’m seeing someone. She knows I’m seeing a man. She doesn’t know it’s you, but she wants to meet you. Tomorrow afternoon, on the train. She...I made her promise not to try to kill you.”
“That complicates things,” Roth sighed, “It’s alright, though, dear. I have a plan.”
“What is it?”
Roth leaned in, pressing a kiss first to my left cheek, and then to my right, “You can formally introduce me as your boyfriend to your sister tomorrow.”
“Roth, are you insane?”
“Maybe.”
I frowned, “I don’t mean your strange fascination with fire. I mean, why on Earth would your plan be for me to introduce you to Evie? She’ll freak out! I’ll freak out! She’ll...she’ll-”
YOU ARE READING
The Masks We Hide Behind
Fanfictionbasically 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...
