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)
Little Lunita rushed off to someone else, and it was a woman that looked exactly like me.
I whispered, “Who is this?”
Joyfully, this woman twirled and swayed in the center of the roof.
“W-what the fuck?” I remained near the ledge and watched her.
Then, the moonlight hit her face.
My heart stopped.
This woman could have been my twin. Same age. Same height. Same face. She wore a white sundress that glimmered in the moonlight. Her hair was pulled back into a bun. Tons of flowers decorated her hair—roses and daises, lilies and tulips.
“Then. . .who is this?” I muttered. “Is this. . .actually Lunita? Or. . .is it the little girl?”
I remained frozen in place.
The only thing that saved me was the fact that it was a beautiful experience to watch my twin dance. She swayed in the wind, her dress gracefully flowing around her with every movement. Her toes pointed and arched as she glided across the roof like a ballet dancer.
She glowed more brightly than the stars in the sky.
The little girl ran to her and abruptly stopped her dancing. “Hey.”
The woman paused and looked down. “What?”
“She’s been with me the whole time.” The little girl pointed my way.
“Fuck.” I seized back, nervous that I might be in trouble.
My twin with the flowers shrieked and stumbled back. “Then. . .who’s in charge?”
The little girl shrugged her shoulders.
Then, my twin stared at me and leaned her head to the side like she was an alien or something. That flower covered head lay right on her shoulder. “I hope M isn’t in charge. He always gets us in trouble?”
I blinked. “Who is M? Who are you? What the fuck is going on?”
The twin straightened her head. “I guess we have to kill her.”
I touched my chest. “Me? Not me. I didn’t do anything.”
Fast, they raced my way.
“Ah!” Screaming, I spun around and began to climb over the ledge. “Oh shit. Oh shit.”
Hands gripped my shoulders. I had no idea how they got to me so quickly, but those hands were strong and unyielding.
“No.” I fought against them, but none of it helped. “No. No.”
Together, they pushed me over the railing.
“No!” I fell backwards, tumbling down into dark nothingness.
Screams ripped from my throat.
And then, I woke up in a sitting position, with my hands in the air.
I’m not dead.
Panting, I blinked several times.
I’m not dead. It was a dream. . .or something. . .
It took me a minute to gather myself. I gazed around and was shocked by this new sight. I recognized the bedroom suite. Kaz and I had already slept in here.
But there was a tiny difference.
Is this a dream too?
On my left, Kaz lay next to me, snoring. His big hand rested on my thigh. He must have had his arm around me while we slept, and then I moved it when I sat up.
That part was normal.
I turned to my right. There, Paolo slept in a ball with his thumb in his mouth. His face looked peaceful and innocent. Little snores left him.
O-kay. . .Kaz, let Paolo sleep in here? Why?
Utterly confused, I slowly moved Kaz’s hand and took my time sneaking out of bed. There was too much to unpack and I needed answers.
When my feet hit the floor, something nuzzled my toe.
What’s that?
I stiffened and checked to see what it was.
Harlem licked my toe.
Smiling, I tiptoed to the door.
He trotted after me, wagging his tail.
Don’t wake up Kaz, buddy.
I opened the door inch by inch, and stepped out into the hallway.
Wassily and three armed men stood there.
Okay. This isn’t a dream. I’m truly back.
I took my time closing the door behind me.
In the light, I realized I was wearing a thin, white night gown. I touched my head. A silk bonnet covered it.
O-kay.
Silent, the men watched me with intrigued expressions.
I snatched off the bonnet.
My hair fell down along my face, silky and freshly pressed. A sweet fragrance drifted from it.
What the fuck? My hair is. . .different. Something must have happened.
I turned to Wassily.
He looked terrified.
I cleared my throat. “Did I. . .did I turn into Lunita?”
He slowly nodded.
“Damn it.” I tapped my fingers against my thigh. “Okay. Okay. Uh. . .where is Max? I have to ask him something.”
“Kazimir made Maxwell go to his room three hours ago.” Wassily looked at the door. “Perhaps, we should wake up the Lion and—”
“No. Let Kaz sleep.” I shook my head. “Oh, but wait. When did Paolo get in the bed?”
“The boy was crying for you. Kazimir and Baba went to his room. Kazimir picked him up, told him he had to be quiet, and brought him to you.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Kaz carried Paolo to me?”
Wassily nodded. “The boy stopped crying, lay next to you, and went back to sleep. I left the room. Then, I believe. . .I heard Kazimir snoring several minutes later.”