Him Standing Read Online Free Page B

proceeding well, I see,” Knight said.
    Amy put her arms around me, and we watched as Knight stepped over to my work table. He laid a hand on his chin as he studied the mask. There was a small grin at the corners of his mouth, and he nodded.
    â€œVery good,” he said. “The spirit is growing stronger. Any interesting dreams lately, Lucas?”
    â€œHe’s not going to do your work anymore,” Amy said, standing up to face Knight. “You can keep your commission.”
    Knight smiled.
    â€œVery bold, Ms. One S k y,” he said. “I think I like that. But you see, Lucas and I have a gentleman’s agreement. Don’t we, Lucas?”
    He tilted his head a little and looked at me. His eyes seemed to swim. They were like black seas. I felt I was being swept up in their tide.
    â€œYes,” I said dully.
    â€œYou see, Ms. One Sk y ? He understands the nature of our deal. And besides, you really want to see this through, don’t you, Lucas?”
    â€œYes,” I said again. The word slid from my mouth with a hollow sound.
    â€œNot a very wordy reply, but you can see he wants to do the job,” Knight said. “It’s not a good idea to cross an artist when he wants to create. It’s not good to get between them and their work.”
    â€œHe doesn’t know what he’s saying,” Amy said. “Can’t you see that?”
    â€œOh, I think Lucas knows exactly what he’s saying. Don’t you, Lucas?”
    I looked at him. I stared into his eyes. Now they were glittering. I couldn’t look away. I felt pulled deeper into them. My head felt cloudy, dreamy. I held his look and stood up slowly. When I did, I felt the odd heaviness in my body, and the room seemed suddenly smaller.
    â€œThe doorway is open,” I said, and I heard Amy gasp.
    Knight smiled again and broke the look.
    â€œYes. The doorway is open. You want to keep it open, don’t you? And you won’t let Ms. One Sky talk you out of it, will you?”
    â€œThe doorway will remain open. It will be finished. The girl child will not stop it.” The voice was cold and stern. Amy stepped away from me.
    â€œWho are you?” she asked Knight. “Where did you come from?”
    â€œI’m just a simple art lover, my dear,” Knight said. “As to where I came from, well, where do we all come from, Amy child? Are we not the same?”
    â€œWe’re not the same,” she said. “We don’t walk around scaring people for the thrill of it. And I’m not a child.”
    â€œNo. You’re not. You’re an adult. Just like Lucas is an adult. Free to make choices, free to decide what he wants and what is good for him.”
    â€œYou’ve got him under some kind of spell or something,” Amy said.
    Knight laughed. It was a wild, rollicking laugh. But his eyes showed no humor. They were cold and flat and hard. He crossed one leg behind the other and leaned on the cane he carried.
    â€œThere is no spell. There is only desire. Your desire is to finish the mask, isn’t it, Lucas?”
    â€œYes,” I said dreamily.
    He nodded. Amy looked at me and I felt my head clear. When we looked at the doorway, Knight had vanished.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    "I ’m so worried,” Amy said.
    Soon after Knight left, my head had begun to clear. I recalled everything that had happened, but I could make no sense of it. It felt as though I had only been an onlooker. Now, sitting at the table sipping tea with Amy, I was worried too.
    â€œIt’s like I can’t do or say anything when that guy’s around,” I said.
    â€œWe need to find a way to get you out of this,” Amy said.
    â€œI don’t think there’s a way. The guy scares me actually. I kinda think he’s a half step away from crazy.”
    â€œI think he’s already there. But I think what we need to do is get out of here for a while. You need groceries anyway.