The Demise of Foxy Jack (Adventures of the X Pirates Book 1) by Edward Medina Page A

future for them both. A masquerade ball was to be held to celebrate the arrival of the cure in advance of the plague. It would also provide the large distraction needed to get every associate of the Organization out of Champagne cleanly. The Actor would take advantage of the moment to right many wrongs.
    Archie had worn many masks, but he had never crafted one himself. He needed the perfect mask to match the perfect performance. He needed to create a cover that would hide love and fool a dear heart. The acting would have to be flawless in order to mask his true feelings for the one he loved. The loved one he would deceive to set her free. The performance would have to be duplicitous. The performance would have to be a lie.
    Upon her arrival at the ball, and before entering the Champagne Pavilion of Dreams where it was to be had, the Countess was met by a physician wearing a plague mask. She would remember two things from the encounter. The first being how much the mask made the doctor look like a crow and the other was the terrible news he brought with him.
    The doctor was there to inform her that Anthony Christopher had succumbed to symptoms of the plaque. He had died just hours ago. The doctor assured the Countess that she was in no danger now that the cure had arrived. He continued to reassure her, but Aimee was gazing at the doctor longingly. 
    Did you think you could hide from me behind a mask?
    She suddenly asked.
    There’s a look in your eyes that your heart can’t disguise.
    The fox was speechless.
    Do you think I want to lose you?
    No.
    Do you want to lose me?
    Never.
    Aimee removed the Actors mask.
    Investing in my heart is a foolish endeavor.
    Archie explained.
    One in which I am willing to invest with all my heart.
    She implored.

    I wish I could tell you that this is where they kissed and all was made whole again. With all my heart I wish I could tell you that was what happened. But it never did. As your storyteller I wish that I could tell you that I hadn’t fooled her completely. But that wouldn’t be true.

    Matters of the heart are complicated affairs. They can scratch and bite and tear at one’s soul. But they can also be glorious and liberating and life affirming. Love won or lost is love still had, and that stays with a being until the day they die. Everything in Archie’s life would change and be transformed with this affair of the heart but one thing would remain a constant. Archie would always love Aimee, but she would never be his again.
    When great love is denied something dies in the male of a species and that makes them ache for escape and so the fox left it all behind once more. On the same night that Benjamin Nightthorn’s family was murdered under the big top, the Actor was escaping under the cover of dark. It was time for him to travel now, not to the new world, but across the Empire.
    With his plan in place the fox left Champagne and began his long walk. He had traveled a few miles when he found himself standing at another crossroads but this time he was not alone. He had spotted two figures standing there from some ways back. They hadn’t moved as Archie continued moved closer. They seemed just as determined to wait for the fox as he was to get away from them.
    Then there they all stood.
    Look who it is, boss.
    The owl said with feigned surprise.
    I believe it’s the Actor in our employ.
    The Chief growled low as he puffed his cigar.
    I wonder what he’s doing all the way out here?
    The owl chided.
    I suspect he’s running away.
    Now why would he do that?
    Because love makes one do extremely foolish things.
    The fox looked into the bear’s eyes and he could see the sense of betrayal and anger within them.
    Fortune favors the foolish.
    Archie foolishly added.
    After a moment the bear began to chuckle under his breath. He then elbowed the owl jokingly as his feathered accomplice began to laugh as well. Archie laughed because at that moment he had no idea what was going to happen