We sat across from one another, silent.
The interior was furnished in dark leather with red lining. The outer parts were painted a sleek black with gold detailing. Not once had I ridden in something this expensive before, but I would rather ride miles on the side saddle than trap myself in here with him. Though it was a bit late for that.
“Where are we going?”
“So many questions.” He leaned back. “You act like I am abducting you. I’m trying to be kind.”
“You? Kind?” I laughed. “I don’t think you do anything without a purpose.”
“You’re right.” He tapped his shoe against the floor of the cab. “I am clearly trying to trick you into leaving the pretentious parties and useless conversations about diets that youso clearly enjoyso that I can have you selfishly to myself,” he said sweetly.
“Well, the birds will have a field day with that stunt. You knew those girls would talk.” I glared, nervously picking at my nails.
“All part of the plan.” He grinned. “I told you, I want everyone to know, whether you want them to or not. You will play the part if you know what’s good for you.”
“Why do all of your confessions sound like threats?” I fixed my eyes on the passing scenery.
He paused for a moment as if to ponder my question. The silence went on for a while. He might have given up on a proper answer as we spent the ride just looking out the window, stealing cautious glimpses at one another as we traveled.
After a long journey, we arrived at a different estate. It looked more like a castle the closer we came. Many carriages were parked in the side lot, and horses were being tended to. We arrived in the front and stopped, the door opening for us upon arrival.
Silas stepped out first, offering his hand out to me.
I reluctantly took it and looked up at the structure before me. It looked less like a home and more like a fortress.
Silas tried in vain to hide any smugness in his visage.
What in the world is he up to?
As we approached the tall entryway, someone checked our names before letting us in. There were mainly men bustling about, talking, flipping through papers, and pointing at the many displays scattered along the hallways. In certain rooms, there were presentations with spectators. Some women were here, but they all looked to be accompanied by a man not too far off.
Excitement melted away any prior aversion.
He’d taken me to aprivateexhibition.
“Why?” I turned to him.
His eyes had been fixed on me since before I looked, fully attentive to my every move. “You get that light in your eyes whenever you look at something you’re curious about. I wanted to see more of it.” He shrugged. “You belong here, not in a stuffy house surrounded by people who don’t understand you.”
Blood rushed to my cheeks. There was no hint of mockery or sarcasm in his voice. I might be able to trust that he was being sincere.
38
THE CREATURE
People clustered around the different displays of the domain. Everyone was so hungry, eager to absorb every word and dissect everything they spoke to one another. Small mechanical models of inventions and pending patents were demonstrated and pitched between many patrons. Places like these were where business and science intersected.
While it was all very fascinating, nothing could keep me from studying her. I had never seen her this animated before. It was like life had returned to her recently depressed demeanor. Every unhelpful thought left her head and was renewed with questions brewing faster than a teahouse at four o’clock. Those pretty blue eyes looked like they could not consume the information before her fast enough. It reminded me of how she’d looked at me that night, demanding to see where my fangs could have possibly gone. I swore she would have dissected me right then and there, and maybe I would have let her. This was why I could never dream of staying away from her.
“Alina!” A Russian accentcut through the crowd.
Not him . . .
She turned her head to see who was calling. A wide smile broke across her lips, and her arm slipped from mine.
I turned to seeViktor. His amber eyes looked soft as he approached until they fell on me. A sinister glint sparked before it disappeared as quickly as it came, and he turned his attention back to my dear shadow. He wrapped his arms around her in a hug, a smirk on his face as he looked at me from over her shoulder.
I will cut that smug look off your face and wear it at your funeral.
