Page 27 of Blood and Thorns

Sebastian closed the distance between us, and I braced myself against the kitchen cabinet. His hands curled onto the marble counter behind me, not touching but close enough that he stole all my oxygen. “What are you doing out here,belle?” he asked. He was like a cat toying with a mouse seconds before it was to be eaten. “Who let you out of your room?”

I tipped my head back, because apparently, I had a death wish. “It was unlocked.”

“Was it now?”

The dim light put him entirely in the shadows, his expression hidden. But I could feel his eyes on me, tension twisting between us like a noose, so abrasive I could almost see the marks left on my skin.

His head dipped closer to mine, and I held my breath.

“Just a warning,” he said, voice dropping to a husky whisper. “Stay out of my way, or you’ll really find out why they call me the Beast.” With that he pushed off the counter, leaving me alone in his kitchen.

It took a moment for me to move, and fisting my hands Iturned away from the fridge, realising I was no longer hungry. Instead, I searched the drawers, not stopping until I found something I could use to defend myself. Something fucking sharp.

Chapter 15

Arabella

Twenty-four hours and I still wasn’t dead. Yet.

I should celebrate by going back to sleep, because there was nothing else for me to do. I hadn’t risked checking the door again, and no one had come in with unwanted cups of tea.

Knock. Knock.

Never mind.

Pressing my back against the wall, I used it to stand. Sebastian had said he wasn’t interested in reluctance, and I was definitely in team reluctance. But that didn’t mean my heart didn’t race as another knock resonated around the silent room.

It was smart not to trust his word.

“Oh, there you are, dear.” The same older lady as last night walked in, carrying a silver tray with her statement cup of tea. I eyed it cautiously.

He wouldn’t drug me. Would he?

“You must be starving. Dinner will be in ten minutes, and he expects you to attend.” She placed the teacup and saucer on the side table, clicking her tongue when she realised I’d left the drawers partially open. “Your newtoiletries will be delivered shortly. Now, let me get a good look at you.”

She was smaller than me, and plump. But she radiated a warmth that could only be genuine.

Smiling kindly, she said, “Don’t worry, everything’s going to be okay.”

Okay for you to say,I thought. She hadn’t offered herself up to a man affectionately calledBeast.

“My father…”

“Oh, don’t even think about him. It’ll be easier that way.” Her smile faltered, and a sadness swept over her expression before disappearing beneath a bubble of excitement. “Remember, dinner’s in ten. I’ll send my son to come get you.”

As quickly as she swept in, she left.

I eyed the tea once more, the scent sweet and honestly, my mouth watered a little, but I couldn’t bring myself to drink it. Setting back in my corner, I closed my eyes and rested forward until my head hit my bent knees.

“Hello?”

I jerked, looking up to find a much younger man wearing a pristine suit standing in the doorway. I hadn’t even heard the door open. Had I fallen back asleep?

“I’m here to escort you to dinner,” he said, his smile gentle but not quite reaching his dark eyes. With his light blond hair he gave me a deadly angel vibe. “I’m Charlie, but everyone calls me Chip.” A frown marked his brow at my continued silence.

Was he the butler? Did people actually have butlers?

Bloody hell, how rich was Sebastian?