Page 74 of The Devil

Robertson glances at me then back to Jet. “We have business to discuss. You have not forgotten our ways, I am sure.”

“Jet,” Severin says, touching his brother’s arm.

“No. She stays with me.”

Severin glances at me and I see his request.

“I’m fine, It’s okay. I do want to freshen up, actually,” I lie.

Jet raises his eyebrows at me.

“Well, that’s settled then,” Robertson says. He grins and walks away, using a door cut out of the wall panel to leave the room. Two guards step forward to escort Jet and Severin while Jameson gestures for me to go with him.

Jet draws a tight breath in and opens his mouth to argue.

“Jet, it’s okay,” I say, trying to head it off.

“The sooner we get this done, the sooner we’re off this island. You know they won’t discuss anything in the presence of a woman,” Severin says.

“He’s right,” I say. “The sooner we’re off this island the better. Please.”

Jet squeezes my hand then turns to Jameson. “Anyone touches a hair on her head⁠—”

“She will be treated with the utmost courtesy, I assure you, Mr. Blackstone,” Jameson says.

I nod, kiss Jet on the cheek. “I’m fine. I can handle myself,” I whisper.

He looks at me like he’s committing me to memory and nods reluctantly, jaw tight.

I pull away and turn to Jameson. “Lead the way.”

He smiles and I follow him back out into the corridor. He keeps a respectful distance, that smile on his face as he tells me the history of the building.

“This is the original part of the castle,” he tells me as we walk down a hallway where staff in uniform pass us pushing carts stacked with tableware. I glance around. Even given the weirdness of everything this castle is something to see. It’s like stepping back in time.

Between all those dark stones and small window casements and leaded windows, it is quite dark. Iron sconces cast flickering light across what look to be ancient oil portraits. We pass one set of wide doors that stand open and I peer into an opulent great hall with mirrored walls and lots of activity as staff work to set up for an event.

“What’s going on?” I ask.

“You are in luck. Tonight we are having our Masked Ball. You will attend, of course.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t want to impose.”

“It’s all been arranged.”

“Well, I doubt we’ll be here anyway.”

Jameson nods as if humoring me. “Let me show you to your room. Once you freshen up, perhaps you’d like lunch in the East Conservatory? The views are spectacular from there.”

“I’d prefer to wait for the others.”

We begin to ascend a large, wide staircase that looks centuries old the stone deeply worn where countless people have walked. “Your room is in the East wing. It’s the original part of the castle, and between us,” he starts, leaning in as if telling me a great secret. “It’s the most beautiful. It’s been modernized, of course, so it will be not only comfortable but quite luxurious.”

I follow him down a corridor to the door at the far end.

“Here we are,” he says, and opens it. He gestures for me to enter and I do.

If I thought Jet’s suite at the Balmoral was special, this? This is something else. Something out of a fairy tale, albeit a dark one.