Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
Baba gathered the cards up. “The Mouse will protect Paolo, and you will too. And Paolo will grow strong, and become a fierce, powerful man.”
“And rainbows will appear within the sunlight and we will all dance and laugh.”
Baba put the cards in one pile. “You doubt me?”
“I think you are skipping over the part where Paolo discovers that I killed his parents and wants revenge.”
Still holding the cards, she rose from the chair and walked away.
I raised one eyebrow. “Baba?”
“There will be a few dark periods but—”
“What dark periods?” I stood.
She faced me. “Not all of the Brotherhood will accept Paolo or even Emily. Many will think that the Brotherhood is now being run by a woman.”
Rage coursed through me. “Let them say that to me.”
“New enemies will come after your marriage and the birth of your son.”
“Then, parts of Russia will be bloody.”
“I see that too, but you and Emily always survive.”
“And when Paolo grows up, does he ever discover what I did to his parents?”
She turned away. “As I said, there will be dark periods, but it always shifts to light.”
“Baba, I do not want that little boy to be my future assassin.”
She placed the cards into the box and looked at me. “Sometimes I wish you could see what I see. There is so much love—”
Someone knocked on the door.
I glanced over my shoulder. “Come in.”
The door opened.
David stepped in and widened his eyes. “Kazimir? I had no idea you were in here.”
“I needed a reading.”
Baba walked over. “If you did not know Kazimir was in here, then you came for me?”
David sniffed the air. “Have you been smoking, Baba?”
“What is wrong, David?”
“The boy woke up and started crying for the Mouse. I decided to get you to help calm him.”
“Oh, that poor baby.” She rushed to the candles and leaned over. Before she could blow them out, the flames left on their own. “Thank you, Pavel.”
David and I exchanged looks.
“I am coming, little pumpkin.” She hurried past us and rushed out of the office.
I followed. “I am coming too.”
Baba blinked and slowed her pace. “What?”
“I am coming.” I got to her side and glanced at David. “Did you get the Black Axe soldiers?”
“They are dead.”
“What about my mouse?”
“Maxwell and Boris were playing cards by the door, against some other Harlem Crew soldiers. He told me she was in bed and peacefully asleep. I assumed you were in there with her.”
“Soon.” I opened Baba’s suite door and gestured for her to walk through. “First we need to get the boy.”
“Get the boy?” Baba stopped in front of the door. “And what do you want to do with him?”
“He wants the Mouse. Perhaps, we should. . .bring him to her.” I walked off. “That is of course if he can be peaceful and not wake her up.”
Chapter 35
Was it All a Dream?
Emily
With my eyes closed, I lay on the cold floor huddled into a ball—my arms wrapped around my head and my knees up to my chin. I rocked back and forth, crying out loud. So much sorrow flowed within, and I couldn’t understand why. My sobs rose around me, sounding like sick, bubbling moans. For some reason, that made me cry out more.
I had no idea how long I went on.
I just knew that I cried until I had no tears left and a hollow emptiness moved through my body.
Then, I lay in silence.
Footsteps sounded.
I opened my eyes.
A little girl stood in front of me, wearing jeans and a blue shirt with a picture of a gray mouse on it. She had beautiful brown skin. Her eyes were bright and clever like she knew more than she should. Two long, thick plaits framed her heart-shaped face. In her right arm, she held a floppy plush teddy bear whose fur had begun to wear away.
Something about her gave me a familiar feeling, and brought me calm.
She knotted those little eyebrows together. “What are you doing down here?”
Slowly, I sat up. “I don’t know.”
“At least you aren’t crying anymore.” Her eyes brightened. “It was too loud.”
“Was it?” I scanned the space. “Where. . .am I?”
“You don’t know?”
I shook my head. “I don’t.”
“Then, you should wake up.”
“I am up.”
“O-kay.” She ran off.
“Hey! Wait.” I rushed to stand and then jogged after her. “Don’t go.”
Giggling, she disappeared up a set of stairs.
“Hold on!” I followed the giggles and ran up with her. “Where are you going?”
I hurried up three flights of winding stairs made of hard wood. The walls surrounding the stairs were grey like the ash in the sky after a fire. So unreal, I touched them and the wall gave way under my fingers.
Where am I?
I climbed step after step.
This is. . .weird.
When I reached the top, I found the little girl standing in front of a brown door and frowning.