Two weeks passed before things took a turn for the worst. I rarely left Roth’s apartment. This time, though, I was gone for several hours. I’d been neglecting my Rooks lately, and I had to make up for it. Ensure that the gang was functioning properly.
When I returned to the apartment, I’d expected to find Roth waiting for me in our room. Probably still undressed and in bed, where I'd left him. Instead, I found the place empty, save for a note that was stuck to the headboard. My face grew pale, and I ripped the note off, reading it.
Jacob,
I warned you of this. You didn’t listen. The only person you can blame for what has happened is yourself. I’ve tried to tell you multiple times that you can’t trust people like him. I fear this is the only way for you to see reason.
If you ever want to see Maxwell Roth again, you’ll meet me on the train. If I don’t see you within twenty-four hours, I’m finishing the job myself.
One day, you’ll see that I’ve done this for you.
Evie Frye
I ripped the note up, cursing loudly. I threw my head into my hands, beating myself up for leaving Roth alone. I did the only thing I thought I could. I made sure my hidden blade was working properly, and headed for the train.
I didn’t even knock on the door, just opened it wide. I wasn’t sure what I was expecting to find, but was incredibly relieved when I entered.
Roth was perfectly alright. He was sitting in a chair, his ankles and wrists bound so he couldn’t get out, but he wasn’t seriously harmed.
“Maxwell!” I yelled, running towards him and immediately starting to untie the ropes at his wrists.
“Darling,” Roth grinned, “I knew you’d come. I almost wish you hadn’t, though.”
“What? Roth, why-”
Evie stepped out of the shadows, glaring at me, “Now that you’re here, I’m going to give you one last chance to make things right.”
“Evie…” I eyed her warily, keeping my hand on Roth’s.
She took a shaky breath, “I don’t want to do this, Jacob. But you have to understand. He is your enemy. He’s everything you’ve been trained to hate. He’s not good for you. If you want to fix things, if you want to stop me from telling the Brotherhood that you’ve betrayed them all, then kill Roth. Right here, right now.”
“You’re crazy,” I protested, “I’m not doing it.”
“If you won’t do it of your own free will, then I’ll make you.”
I nearly laughed, “And how are you going to do that?” I gasped when I felt the barrel of Henry’s gun against my back, cold metal. Evie moved closer to Roth, retying his wrists, then holding her hidden blade dangerously close to his neck.
Roth met my eyes, “Your move, Jacob, my dear.”
I walked forward, urged on by Henry, until I was face to face with Roth. I was crying when I got there, “You know I love you, right?”
“Yes, darling. I’ve got the marks to prove it.”
The lights went out. Evie screamed. A gun was shot, then another. The lights came back on. And two men were lying unmoving on the floor.
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...
