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I should probably knock, but I push the doors open and step inside.

Vesper stands near a window, looking over a stack of papers on a mahogany desk. Rather than his usual suit jacket today, he’s wearing a crisp dark dress shirt. The sleeves are rolled up to his forearms, exposing the pretty blue skin and intricate shadow tattoos curling up the bare skin of his arms. He turns his head as I enter, his glowing crimson eyes locking onto mine. A subtle, rare look of genuine surprise softens his sharp features.

“Bellamy,” Vesper says. “You’re awake. The mark… is it causing you pain?”

“No.” I step into the room, my boots quiet against the plush rug. “Not really. It’s a little raw, but nothing I can’t handle.” I pause, holding his gaze with a steady, brave edge. “I used the bond to find you.”

A dangerous smirk touches the corner of his lips. “I felt you pull on it. You’re learning quickly, little bird.”

That damn nickname dances on his tongue, and I love every second of it. Vesper has a dangerous way with his words. He always sounds like he’s teasing me, rolling the title out until it feels decadent, playful, and enduring. The pet names never feel condescending or cruel, the way Gregory always forced it to sound.

“I want to know more,” I say, taking another step closer, crossing my arms over my chest. “I don’t just want to be the captive you chase through the woods, Vesper. I want to understand you and the Devil Dog. I want to know who you are, what your demon blood means. I want to learn about our bond.”

Asking for things used to get me a slap to the face, but I’ve always been strong-willed, no matter how often Gregory tried to beat it out of me. I ran from my ex and his abusive power as soon as I found an opening. I didn’t almost die just to be quiet now. I take a deep breath. “I want to know everything.”

Vesper watches me for a long moment. His crimson eyes scan my face as if searching for any sign of hesitation or fear. Satisfied, something in his posture relaxes, like a quiet shift from predator to friend. Respect pours into our bond. I don’t know whether he did it on purpose, or if I can just sense certain things now, but his admiration brings tears to the corners of my eyes. He’s proud of me, and I don’t know what the fuck to do with that.

“Then you’re going to need more than a single morning.” He turns from his desk and reaches out his hand. “Come with me. There’s something I should’ve shown you days ago.”

I place my hand in his, shivering slightly at the contrast of his cold, pale blue skin against my warm palms, and let him lead me down a long corridor I haven’t explored yet. I shake my head with a soft chuckle as we pass doorway after freaking doorway.

“I still can’t get over how huge this place is,” I admit. “Every time I think I’ve mapped this place out, another wing.”

“The estate was built over three centuries ago,” Vesper explains, guiding me toward a pair of towering doors at the end of the hall. “The house doesn’t expand, not exactly, but the shadow magic acts as if it has a mind of its own, creating illusions for those who aren’t used to it.”

He pushes the doors open, and I freeze, my jaw dropping.

It’s a library. Yet calling it a library is a damn insult.

It’s a grand, two-story gothic cavern filled with mahogany bookshelves. They reach all the way to a vaulted glass ceiling that looks out directly into the redwood canopy. Spiral iron staircases wind up to high balconies. Long shelves hold thousands upon thousands of leather-bound books. A massive stone hearth roars with those familiar blue-and-red flames at the far end. The whole room is surrounded by plush armchairs I want to sink into.

“It’s fucking magical in here!” My gaze sweeps the library, taking everything in, before landing on the demon beside me. A burst of laughter escapes. I cover my mouth with my hand as I stare up at the endless walls of books.

Vesper arches an eyebrow, amused by my sudden outburst. “What’s so damn funny?”

“I am trapped in a gothic castle in the middle of the woods with a demon who just handed me a fucking library. A library! Vesper, this is literally Beauty and the Beast. Do you know how many book nerds would kill for this?”

Vesper blinks, a rare, genuine chuckle breaking past his lips. “Book nerds?” he mouths.

“Oh shit. And my name is Bellamy. As in Belle. I can’t wait to tell Oakley this shit,” I wheeze, looking up at him with a wide, bright grin. “I’m living in a damn fairytale.”

“I assure you, little bird, I’m far more dangerous than that furry brown creature,” Vesper teases, his crimson eyes crinkling at the corners, and his grin spreading wide.

Fuck. That smile. “You’re so beautiful,” I murmur, biting my lip.

I clap my hands over my mouth. What the hell? Did I just say that out loud?

Spinning around, I walk toward the nearest shelf, tracing my fingers over the spines of the ancient books. “This place is incredible. Maybe if you showed me this place earlier, I wouldn’t have run,” I tease.

Vesper narrows his eyes, but I can feel his heart skip through the bond. Maybe I shouldn’t push him too fast. Just because he marked me doesn’t mean everything between us is completely different. Except it is. He walks over to a restricted glass cabinet and unlocks the display with a pretty-looking skeleton key. Carefully, he pulls out several thick, leather-bound books. “These might help you find the answers you’re searching for.”

He carries the books over to the dark wooden reading table, setting them down with a satisfying thud. I follow, my curiosity burning through any lingering anxiety. I look down at the strange script etched into the leather covers.

“What are these?”

“History,” Vesper replies. He gestures for me to sit in one of the armchairs. He sits in the chair opposite me, legs spread wide, and looking so damn hot. “As a High Demon of the Crossroads, my magic is tied to the deals we make and the barriers that separate our worlds. What most human mythology doesn’t recognize,” Vesper says smoothly, “is that we’re dark guardians of gates between realms.”

He opens the first text, turning to a page illuminated with illustrations of glowing crossroads, ancient runes, and horned figures.