Page 27 of On Edge

Mrs Oakley sighs. “Are you sure you wouldn’t like anything else, dear? I can make you soup and a toastie. A pot of tea, perhaps? You look pale.”

“No, thank you, I’m not hungry.” My voice comes out steadier than I feel.

“Shall I take your plate, then?”

I nod, glancing at the untouched plate of food as she takes it away. What a waste. But at least it hides that the butter knife is missing.

Troy Severin doesn’t say anything; he refills his wine, the deep red liquid spilling like shattered rubies. He pulls out hisphone, typing something…an email or a message, maybe, before slipping it back into his jacket.

Mrs Oakley nods at me and walks to the door, but before she can leave, Severin stops her. “Katherine. My office door was open again. I’ve told you and Mundel to keep it locked.”

Mrs Oakley turns and looks over her shoulder, her cheeks tinged slightly red. “I will make sure to.”

I bite my lip to stop myself from saying something. I mean, he’s such an asshole.

He nods, and she leaves. Then, he opens a newspaper and begins to read it.

I’d forgotten about the newspaper clipping in my pocket. I reach for it, to take my mind off calling Severin names in my head, my hand curling around its torn edge. I gently pull it out and then look down. The scratched-out face of the boy stares back at me, unrecognizable, and some details are too faint to make out in the hazy light of the dining room.

There’s a clang of dinnerware. With my chest tight and my pulse loud in my ears, I shove the article back in my pocket. The last thing I need right now is to be caught with something from the area Troy Severin usually keeps locked.

Be careful,Nell’s voice singsongs in my mind.He’s more dangerous than you think.

She’s right.

Of course, she is. Nell was always right. And always looking out for me. Always there when I needed her.

Still is.

I wish I could say I did the same for her. But I didn’t, and now look where I am—having dinner with her killer, not even having the guts to do what it takes. The knife feels heavy on my lap as all the things I should’ve done at the time go through my mind. She was my sister. I should’ve been there for her at the end, therewhen she died. I should be getting revenge for her now, not just sitting here being pathetic.

God. I miss her.

“Then kill him,”she hisses inside my head. “Now!”

When I look up, Severin stares at me like I’ve lost my mind.

“What?”

He frowns. “You were talking to yourself.”

Oh God. Was I? Heat floods my cheeks. “I was just…wondering…” What do I say? Yes, I often talk to myself. I think it’s my dead sister chatting to me like she’s still alive. Oh, and by the way, she blames you for killing her and wants me to kill you.

Troy Severin waits, green eyes burning into me. “Wondering what?”

“Why you, er, bought this place,” I say quickly. “The place seems so... dark, and it’s really cold. Can we light a fire at least?”

“No.”

“But, it’s freezing all the time, and it’s not even winter yet.” I allow my teeth to chatter to make my point.

His eyes narrow. “Good job you’re leaving then, isn’t it?” Then he goes back to reading his newspaper.

“But I’m not.” The words come out as a whisper before I can stop them.

Slowly, he raises his gaze to meet mine. “Excuse me?”

“I said…” Here it goes. “But I’m not leaving.” My voice comes out loud and calm, which really surprises me. Inside, I’m a mess. But I straighten my spine and grip the knife in my lap like it could protect me from him, and stare Severin straight in the eye.