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Why was he going in there? Was he meeting with someone? For sex? Drugs?

Curiosity pushed me forward, especially when I noticed him hesitating at the door, his head shaking before he yanked it open, stomping in.

I could not pinpoint or ask why I didn’t end my pursuit then and go back to the room, disappointed he wanted to be anywhere but with me. My legs carried on, jogging to the door and sneaking into the empty entry. It smelled like mold. Activity through the building and the noise from the pub echoed off the barren walls.

Tiptoeing up the stairs, I followed Ash’s scent— a mix of crisp leaves in the afternoon and a musky, woody smell, which I swear was an aphrodisiac to my strong senses, leading me forward as if I were on a leash.

The top of Ash’s head could be seen walking down the first-level hallway. Ducking, I stayed low enough on the stairs, creeping up just as he rounded a corner.

This was another chance to turn around, to leave him to whatever he was doing, but I didn’t, my curiosity impelling me.

A cry of a child bellowed from down the hall, dishes clanking from another, a woman moaning out someone’s name as loud bangs tapped the wall, the building a jumble of opposing sounds and smells ramming into my ears and nose.

Skulking down the hall, I peeked around the corner, my chest deflating, seeing an empty corridor. He was gone. I had missed where he was going. Dammit.

Huffing, I started to turn around when one hand came around my mouth, the other around my stomach as my body was yanked back. A shocked cry stabbed at my throat as I felt lips graze my ear.

“Think you can sneak up on me?” Ash’s voice licked up the side of my neck, his tone harsh, sending shivers through me. His body pressed into the back of mine.

Yes. I thought. There was no one I couldn’t slip up on. So why not him? How did he know I was here?

Ash jerked away from me, whirling me to face him, his expression a map of rage and impatience.

“What the fuck are you doing here?” he snarled, his green eyes burning bright, his shoulders tense.

“I followed you.”

“Yes, I noticed.”

“I was curious where you were going.”

“It’s none of your business,” he snapped, glancing quickly to a door near us, room 105. “Now go back.”

“No.”

A strangled cry gurgled in his throat, his hands going to his head. “Raven.”

“What are you doing here?” I motioned around in confusion. It wasn’t a brothel, though I could hear people having sex in a few rooms along the hallway. “Meeting your drug dealer?” I spat, shaking my head at him.

“It doesn’t matter what I’m doing here,” he gritted through his teeth, once again glancing at the door like he was nervous someone inside would hear. “You need to go.”

“No.” I balled my hands. “If you need to get high so badly, do it with me here,” I challenged, hoping he’d choose to leave with me. Fairy dust could be addictive, and I was afraid he had already tumbled down that road.

“I’m not here for drugs,” he hissed at me.

“Then why are you here? Sex?” The burst of anger through me was hard to disguise. “Another orgy party?”

“No.” He blew out.

“It’s complicated.”

“Sex is complicated?” I scoffed. “Pretty straightforward to me. You stick your cock in whatever hole.”

“Raven.” He pinched his nose. “Go. Home.”

“You brought a friend as I asked. Good.” A man’s voice jarred me, shooting my attention to an older gentleman standing in the doorway of 105, wearing a silk robe. His hair was dark and short, silver painting the areas near his temple and sideburns. He was of average height and lean, his hands looking like he had never done a hard day’s labor in his life.

“Wow. She is a true beauty.” His gaze took me in hungrily, then to Ash, his lust still apparent. “You both are perfect.”