h my coat. I pulled it tight, wishing I had stayed

r. Just the low hum of the wind pushing against the old windows. I moved fast, k

rom earlier. I had caught only fragments through the wall-names I did

warm light spilled into the hall from the gap betwee

ding out," a man's voice

" another replied, sharper, youn

lking about me? I swallowed and

me flinch. A third voice spoke, quieter but

ingers curled around the door handle without thinking. But

, heart racing. No one. Just a draft moving

es insid

fr

rs swun

my eyes cleared, a tall man stood there. His eyes locke

His tone was ca

n answer. "I... I was l

you were." He stepped aside, motioning me

y had this smell of leather and old paper. A fire crackled in a corner, throwing fl

sharp features and a restless gaze. The other was old

her?" Kie

one-Dorian-repli

e word fe

rs drumming on the table. "You've been here a few days

stay even. "I don't

ou're in danger. Whether

me off guard

d between them. Then he said, "From us. From oth

elt dry. "W

s me. "Stay, and you'll have protection. Lea

swer. But my gut told me there

to think

. "There's a storm coming, and when it breaks, you'

d. I took a step back, but Dorian didn't mo

utside, thu

e clock strikes mi

walked out. My hands shook, but I kept my head high.

Real ones. And there was only one person in this

t behind the main hall. The sound of rain started on the roof, soft at first, t

y shadow. He was tall, broad-shouldered, and smoki

e one who had warned me, in

silent on the stone floor

all behind me, then back.

until midnight. I

it under his boot. "Because after

omewhere in the house. No

ed. "They know

he grabbed my arm. "

hit me like a slap. My coat was soaked in seconds.

storm-a shout, far behind us

coming,

into sharp light for a split second. I

en the stable door. "H

g. But before I could turn, t

lo