The Isle Of Sin And Shadows - Keri Lake Page 0,159

be seen beneath the top half of a wolf’s face mask. He laughs back at Justin, fingers curled into claws in an attempt to scare him.

Nabbing a figurine that I assume is one of Justin’s toys from the cup holder between us, Brie tosses it at the window, and it smacks on impact, startling the kid. “Get the hell out of here!”

The kid takes off, but Justin’s screams and cries persist. As more people pass wearing masks, he becomes almost hysterical.

“Da tataille! Da tataille is gon’ get me!”

“Justin, it’s okay, baby. Calm down. It’s gonna be okay.”

His glasses fall onto the rear floor well, and he’s visibly shaking, terrified of the thick crowd.

I can’t say I blame him, and I can’t stand by and watch him this way, either. As Brie reaches back to settle him, I rest my hand on her arm.

“He shouldn’t be here.” I shouldn’t, either, but that’s irrelevant at this point. For whatever reason, Luc thought it was a good idea to meet here.

“I’m not leaving you by yourself.”

“I’ll be okay. He’s terrified. And probably exhausted after tonight. He shouldn’t be here.”

The high-pitched screaming has settled, but Justin still trembles, sobbing, as he tries to hide his face.

“Are you sure?”

Lips tight, I nod. “I’ll wait for Luc. You go.” At another scream from the backseat, I flinch. “Please.”

Pulling me into a hug, Brie huffs. “You let me know you’re okay.”

“I will. And please make sure you follow up with the police about what happened tonight.” Another scream goads me to open the door, and Brie nods before reaching back to rest her hand on Justin’s shaking leg. “It’s okay, baby. We’re going now. We’re gonna go stay with Tante Nia, okay?”

Still tearful, he nods, hands clasped tight at his ears.

I exit the vehicle, slamming the door behind me, and blow out a shaky breath. Mustering a slight smile, I wave as she turns the vehicle away from the curb and takes off down the street. Swallowing a gulp, I twist around, greeted by a man in a half wolf mask, wearing a cape. He hands off a bird mask to me, which seems to be made of papier-mâché, and not an actual bone. I slip it over my head to conceal myself.

“Bonne soirée!” he calls after me, as I walk away from him.

Not wanting to stray from the main strip, I slow my pace, scanning for the beat-up Chevy that I really hope makes an appearance soon.

God, this is stupid, Luc! Why here, of all places? And how the hell does he expect to spot me in this crowd, with everyone wearing masks? Though many wear costumes, some have shown up in casual clothes, like me, but they’re still unrecognizable.

The man of a passing couple tips his head in greeting, wearing a goat skull mask. Rubbing my fingers together at my side, I swallow past the sudden dryness in my throat. A nauseating sensation stirs in my gut. I ignore it, scanning through the small holes in my mask for Luc’s truck. Skin damp with panting breaths that beat against the paper covering my face, I focus my attention on the cars I pass, the people. The masks.

So many of them.

Like a mockery to the murder.

A dizziness settles over me, and I stumble into a street trash can, catching myself before I tumble with it.

“Are you okay?” a voice asks, and when I turn to see who it is, I’m greeted by the skull of a goat.

“Minou, minou.”

Gasping, I skirt around the can and keep on, not bothering to answer. The world becomes wobblier in my periphery. Luc is nowhere in sight.

All I can see through the holes is a sea of skulls. So many.

Face wet with exhaled breaths, I blink away the tears gathered on my eyelashes. “Luc!” I call out, frantic. Searching. The anxiety creeping up on me from some black pit in my stomach. “Luc!”

A hand reaches out for me, but I wrench my arm back and let out a scream. I turn to find an older woman, wearing a sympathetic expression on her unmasked face. “Are you okay, chère?”

With an emphatic nod, I back away from her.

The crowd feels thicker. Closing in around me. Tighter and tighter.

I need air. I need air!

Picnic tables along the edge of the canal seize my attention, where a few couples sit scattered about. Far less cramped than the streets.

With quick strides, I push through the crowd, toward them, and drag my mask up to the top