Like a trigger, Cornelius releases me. I hold my tender arm, hoping another bruise won’t surface as the two men step apart.
Avrum strides forward, and when his eyes find mine, and I glance away. I don’t know why, but shame stirs. I don’t want him to see me like this.
“We were just making our last rounds for the night,”Keagan answers and shrugs. Cornelius grunts in agreement, but Avrum doesn’t appear to believe their lie.
Brows rising, he says, “And now I think you’ve finished.”
Keagan stares at him for some time, his beady eyes narrowing but not saying a word. But, to my surprise, Avrum doesn’t back down. He stands there, almost bored, as Keagan speaks his hatred for him through his gaze.
The air sparks with intensity as the two continue to stare each other down. I don’t dare move or say a word. But the growing tension has my gut churning with worry.
Then, Keagan turns on his heel and trudges back towards the manor, mumbling curses the entire way.
Cornelius, on the other hand, causes his muscles to bulge under his too-tight shirt. He’s twice the size of Avrum. Maybe more.
“You are not my lord,” he barks, his nostrils flaring. “You hold no power over me.”
Like with Keagan, Avrum holds his ground. “That is true. But Henri does, and I’ll be sure to tell him all about this.”
Apprehension passes over his face. “He won’t believe you,” he replies as he takes a step back.
“We will see,”is all Avrum says, but his smile radiates. It’s a forced one with the promise of a threat behind it.
“You can’t hide behind Henri forever.” He snorts before following in Keagan’s wake.
Once we are alone, I turn back towards the lake. In a perfect scenario, Avrum would leave me be, too, but I know better. He hovers close, not saying a word.
Soon, the silence becomes suffocating, and I can’t takeit anymore. “Shouldn’t you be heading back too? It’s almost dawn,” I say.
“I will,” he replies softly. His fingertips brush the hand that still nurses my sore arm.
I jerk away out of reflex.
“Did they hurt you?” he asks, voice strained.
“No.” I have been through worse.
“Are you sure?” He tries to reach out again.
“Will you just leave me alone?” I begin to march back to the manor. Not only have I now missed my chance of leaving, but this constant act he’s putting on, like he actually cares, is really starting to infuriate me. I’m not a fool. I’m not going to believe he’s so different compared to every other monster in this place. He’s wasting his time.
It isn’t long before he’s walking at my side, matching my quick strides.
I halt and give him a hard look. “Why are you here, Avrum?”
He stops, his eyes widening. “Er… I was sent… by Lord Henri to see…”
“Exactly.”
His brow furrows in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
I study his face. Fine dark hairs shadow his upper lip and strong jaw. Soft brown eyes watch me for an explanation, waiting patiently. He can’t really be that naïve, can he?
My anger numbing, my shoulders drop. “You didn’t come here on your own account. You were ordered to watch me.”
“Yes.”
“And that isn’t concern. That is a duty,” I tell him. “If itwasn’t for Henri, you would have never even come out here.”
