Verum (The Nocte Trilogy 2)

d you like company?” he asks, and he’s poised to join me.

It would be so easy, to just say yes.

But…something is in his eyes.

Something that I’ve seen before, but I can’t remember.

The fear swells back up in my stomach and I shake my head.

“No, thank you,” I answer finally, and Dare’s dark eyes close. He’s guarded now so I can’t hurt him. “I think I’ll just explore on my own. I don’t want to waste your time.”

“You’ve never been a waste of my time,” he tells me, and his tone is oddly formal.

He walks on, past me, and for a minute, I’m panicky.

Don’t leave me alone.

“Wait,” I call out, without even meaning to.

He stops, but doesn’t turn around.

“Yes?”

“Will you be at dinner tonight?”

My question is breathless and I internally kick myself. Stop acting so eager. You’re sending mixed signals. But my heart is mixed and I can’t help it.

Dare starts walking again.

“Of course.”

I watch him walk away, the way his broad shoulders and slim hips move.

He’s everything to me, everything I’ve ever wanted and ever will want.

It makes me want to scream in frustration, because is there really something so bad about him that I should be pushing him away?

My heart thumps and I think there is… I just can’t put my finger on it.

Yet.

Dare disappears over the hill towards the house, and it’s a few seconds before I realize that I’m being watched.

The tiny hairs stand up on my neck, and goose-bumps form on my arms. I look around, scanning my surroundings, but no one is here.

I’m alone.

Or am I?

It seems… it seems… it seems like there is someone standing at the edge of the house. There is a movement, and was that a flash of gray? But then it’s not there and I’m imagining it.

For a moment, as I’m dwarfed by the shadows, and as the silence envelops me, I feel more alone than I’ve ever felt in my life.

It’s not a good feeling.

It’s actually terrifying.

St. Michael save me.