Sliding the door open, I peek inside, discovering the room is an office. The walls are lined with shelves, each full of texts of all shapes and sizes. In the middle of the room is a large wooden desk. Other than a few pieces of neatly stacked paper, a quill, and ink, there’s nothing to snoop through. I resist the temptation to open the drawers. That feels intrusive, even for me.
I run my fingers along the spines, noticing how clean they are. Even the cleanest libraries have dust. This one is spotless.
A marble fireplace sits opposite the desk, with two chairs facing it. The mantle grabs my attention. Sitting in perfect rows are old photographs. Most are of Cyrus, wearing modern-day clothes, but one catches my eye. He’s wearing a uniform that looks to be from the Civil War. His hair is perfectly combed, and his mustache matches the photos of other soldiers I’ve seen from the era.
“Look at you,” I whisper to the photo, picking it up for better inspection. A second photo falls to the floor, apparently hidden behind it. It’s a tin-type etching of a soldier from another era. His helmet is pointed and looks to be made out of metal. The puffy shoulders on his shirt are shoved into what looks like armor made out of leather. He’s holding a sword in front of him.
I stare at the face of the man. A full beard covers his chin and lip, but the eyes…the eyes tell me who it is in aninstant. Even in black and white, pale-blue eyes stare back at me. Oh, my God. This is Cyrus.
“That was before Aurora found me,” a deep voice says from behind. I drop the photo, along with the framed one I held before.
Cyrus is in front of me before I have time to register what just happened. “I’m sorry,” I say, realizing shards of glass cover the wooden floor.
“I can replace it,” he says, picking up the pieces.
“How are you…I mean, I didn’t expect you back so soon.”
My buyer scoffs. “Aurora had to be somewhere…alone.”
“Cyrus, I’m sorry. I messed up, I…”
He closes his eyes. “You did nothing wrong. I shouldn’t have put you in that situation. You weren’t ready,” he interrupts. “With Aurora’s arrival, I tried to rush through things. I know better. It was my fault.”
“I don’t even know what I did wrong,” I admit.
“Victoria. Aurora doesn’t like her minions to communicate with each other.”
“Minion? Is that what I’ll be?”
“No, but that’s how she thinks of it.” Cyrus sighs. “Simon never should have left you alone. You and Victoria talking caught her attention quickly.”
“It wasn’t his fault,” I defend the lycanthrope. “I should’ve sensed the danger. Simon told me I need to stop thinking like a human and step into my power.”
“He did, did he?” Anger radiates from Cyrus.
“He’s right. I think too much like the sheltered human I was. I’m not human anymore. I need to start thinking like a vampire.”
His energy calms slightly. “How do vampires think, Violet?”
“I don’t know, but I plan on figuring it out.” He picks a piece of loose hair off my cheek, sliding it behind my ear. “I know you protected me last night. I’m sorry to have put you in that situation.” He looks at his boot, not responding. “I want to learn. Help me figure it out.” I swallow the lump in my throat, daring the tears to form in my eyes. “I’m ready to learn.”
One side of his mouth lifts higher than the other. “Perfect. I have one condition,” he adds.
I lift my eyebrows in anticipation. “What?”
“Go on a walk with me.”
I stare, not sure what that has to do with anything. “Okay, why?”
“I would like to show you something. Plus, exposure to humans will build up your resistance to the blood lust.”
“Do I have time to change?” I ask.
“Of course. I’ll be here when you’re ready.”
Thirty minutes later, I’m back downstairs, wearing a dress I found in the wardrobe. It’s a beautiful shade of violet and fits like it’s custom-made for me. Listening through the house, there are no sounds, no ticking of clocks, nothing. Did Cyrus leave? I search the kitchen, living area, and garden with no luck.Stopthinking like a human.Simon’s words run through my mind.
Closing my eyes, I tap into the part of me that I’ve only just begun to accept. I take a needless breath and center my focus on the house. I visualize walking through the home, mentally looking for something out of the ordinary. It doesn’t take long to find it. In the office, the energy feels different.What are you feeling, Violet?I reach even further, using my heightened senses, and see what I’m looking for…Cyrus.
