Page 21 of This Blood That Breaks Us

“Are we good over here?”

Zach wouldn’t forgive Thane easily. He didn’t forgive people. Holding grudges was fun for him. Anyone who wasn’t immediatefamily didn’t often get second chances. I’d come to accept it even if I didn’t agree.

“He’s fine.” I wouldn’t let him torture Thane on my watch.

Thane had been manipulated like my brother and me. In my book, there was nothing to forgive.

“No, that’s good. I’d prefer one of you to be angry with me. It makes me feel better.” Thane’s lips tugged into a wide smile.

“Oh, perfect. See? We’re going to get along great, then,” Zach said.

“It’s almost dawn. We should go,” I said.

I’d promised to meet their demands, though I didn’t have a choice.

“Do we know where we’re going?” I said as we made our way into the hallway.

“Unfortunately, yes,” William said. “Follow me.”

I had paid little attention to Connell’s brief tour. The castle was huge. We passed a lot of doors, some open and showing brief glimpses into the architecture and decor. Every window was stained glass, and most rooms had thick ornate rugs. There was no dust on the end tables or picture frames.

A magnetism pulled me toward the other end of the castle. My thoughts were speeding up again, and my pulse raced in my palms.

“Here. Thane and I can’t go in.” William stopped in front of the large set of double doors.

I could hear Her heartbeat, as I placed my hand on the door.

“Because of Ezra?” I asked.

“He made our deaths pretty vividly obvious if we set foot in there. We can’t even go there with ya,” William said.

There was a shift in his voice. His accent had peeked through.

My brother and I shared a look.

“This place bringing back the ole accent, buddy?” Zach smirked.

“Fuck off. I’m so used to hiding it. But I guess I don’t need to anymore.”

“Where you grew up, was it around here?” I asked.

Will revealed little about his past while in Blackheart. He was too busy telling us what to do.

“No, I lived in the South. I can’t believe I’m fuckin’ here. This place haunted my nightmares as a kid.”

“I heard ’em too. Though I think they turned this place into a historical landmark. I overheard them talking about giving tourist tours of the far end of the property.”

“Great. Glad we’re stuck here in this nightmare of a place. Good reminder,” Zach said.

“Stop stalling and go,” Will said.

Zach and I pushed open the doors.

It opened to a large and expansive room with marble flooring. A room meant for something else, but they’d undoubtedly transformed it with lavish drapes. The linens were clean and pressed. Her bed was the centerpiece with a canopy of black sheets cascading from the ceiling and onto a rug below. There were no windows or natural light, only a sprinkling of candles and dim lights around the room. A large harp sat on the far edge of the room along with a vanity with fresh purple roses and thistle.

We bowed to the natural weight of Her gaze.

“I’m pleased to hear you were both out speaking with everyone. You’re all anyone has talked about for the last few months. Your family has anxiously awaited your return.”