Page 44 of What the Shadows Hide

“One day down... a lifetime to go,” he whispers before kissing me again.

Later,the reception spills into the new tasting hall. TheVoss & Blackwellcrest gleams over the doorway. Glasses clink. Laughter drifts through the music.

Calder leans against the bar, his tie loose, a drink in hand. He’s smiling—until a woman walks past carrying a tray of champagne flutes. Her hair catches the light, a shimmer of amber and copper, and Calder goes still.

He watches her laugh at something the server says, and I catch the flicker of jealousy that tightens his jaw.

I glance at Tristan, who smirks. The look he gives me says everything:Cal is smitten.

My husband is right.

Cal doesn’t move. Doesn’t breathe. Just watches her weave through the crowd like she’s always belonged here.

“Who’s that?” I hear him ask the bartender.

“New hire,” the man says. “Moved here last week. Name’s Ember.”

Cal’s grin curves slow and wicked, but there’s something softer beneath it—a spark of curiosity he can’t quite hide.

“Guess Shadow Falls just got a little brighter.”

He watches her go, amber light glinting in his glass as he murmurs, “Wonder what’s beneath the amber veil?”