Fidelity (Infidelity #5)

Everything was again happening in slow motion as my mind tried to make sense of the changing paradigm. The terrace outside and rooms inside hadn’t changed. The voices of the guests combined with rings of laughter created the same low murmur. But now their song was a mysterious melody seemingly written to keep time with the rhythm of my frantic heartbeat.

As we made our way through the crowd, I reached for my necklace—my connection. Instead of the platinum-dusted cage, my fingertips met the diamond choker.

Oh, Nox. I’m coming, just a few more minutes. I took a deep breath. Please let Chelsea be with you.

It was my silent plea as I smiled politely toward the people we passed. Each one smiled and nodded. Was I paranoid? Had their expressions changed? Were they now somehow different, filled with anticipation, as if they knew the fate awaiting me?

“What’s happening?” I whispered to Alton. “Is there something wrong?”

His hand, no longer on my shoulder, grasped my upper arm. As he hastened our progress, he leaned close, his stained teeth and thin lips set in a fake yet sneering smile. It wasn’t aimed at me, but at the people we passed. “Keep walking.”

With each word a gust of warm, sickeningly sweet, whiskey-ladened breath assaulted my senses, skirting over my cheek, and making my stomach churn. “Don’t do anything stupid.” His grip tightened as he spoke cordially to the people we passed. Once we were away from the crowd, he went on, “Nothing is wrong, daughter. Our schedule has just changed.”

My mind was a whirlwind with possibilities.

What had happened? Had he learned our plans?

Was my mother free? Did Alton know? Or was the attempt thwarted?

Did Chelsea make it to Nox? Or was it a trap? Did Alton’s men follow her? Had they done something to Nox?

My lungs forgot to inhale as I fought the bubbling panic. Who would I find in Alton’s office? What had happened? I had visions of a bound Chelsea, maybe even Nox… my mother… dead…

It was no longer my conscious effort that made my feet continue to step. The cause was either continual motion or the forward momentum in Alton’s grip. With each foot forward, my body and mind disconnected. Terror and dread fermented into a bubbling witch’s brew. The poisonous concoction filled my bloodstream until oxygen no longer flowed. There was no water near. The lake was hundreds of yards away veiled in fog, and yet I was drowning from within.

All at once the chaotic din of guests faded. Nothingness rang like the fading clanks of a church bell as we crossed the threshold into Alton’s office. Bryce had assumed the lead, the drum major to our parade, reaching our destination first. Alton and I were the middle with Suzanna following closely behind. To everyone we’d passed, we were the perfect family unit.

Smoke and mirrors.

I scanned the empty room. There was no one there. No bound Chelsea. No Nox or my mother. The unfulfillment of my fears filled my lungs, giving me the illusion of strength.

“What schedule change?” I asked, pulling my arm free. “What are you talking about?”

Alton’s hand moved as his gray eyes blazed. At the same moment, Bryce stepped forward, reaching for my hand and hurling me behind him. I wobbled on my thin heels, balancing on the balls of my feet as I found myself pressed against Bryce’s back, his body suddenly my shield protecting me from Alton’s intended slap.

“Stop,” Bryce proclaimed. His speech no longer slurred. “We have guests. Alexandria’s question has merit. Why don’t you inform us of what you want and I’ll give you my decision?”

“Your decision?” Alton asked incredulously. “You’ll give me your decision? Isn’t that special? This isn’t about your decisions. I built this…” He gestured about. “…all of this.

“Your decisions have gotten us to where we are today, where we are at this very moment. If you were anyone else…”

His volume grew and spittle rained with each phrase he spat.

“As it is, I’m not allowing you to make any more decisions.” Crimson moved upward, filling his saggy neck like a cloth-absorbing dye and creeping onward toward his cheeks and ears.

“Alton, calm down. Bryce didn’t mean…” Though Suzanna’s words faded into the background, her tone seemed to placate his sudden rage.

Had the world lost its tilt or was it suddenly in a tailspin?

I couldn’t decide as the scene in which I was captive lost touch with reality.

Even from behind Bryce, I could see the growing glow of his neck, now also red.

The monster I’d created with my talk of his impending power was facing the monster I’d always known. Somehow I was a part of this. It was my life, yet the power was shifting—an alternate universe, one where Bryce and Suzanna were no longer my tormentors but my saviors.

I peered around Bryce’s shoulder.

Without another word, Alton pulled out his phone and typed a text message. Once he was done, he lifted his beady eyes and smiled.

I shifted my feet, more uncomfortable with his faux happiness than I’d been with his anger. I was accustomed to his wrath. Bryce gripped my hand tighter. Alton’s new demeanor sent a chill through the air that even he could sense.

“Did something happen?” I asked from behind Bryce.

“Something is about to happen,” Alton replied.

We all turned to the knock on the door.

“Suzy, get the door and then secure it.”