Shadows of Temptations

nity of the room, her gloved hands steady and methodical as she continued the delicate process of restoring the 18th-century portrait before her. The hours had slipped away unnoticed since she began,

ing unease that had settled deep within

er of mortality, a concept that had haunted humanity for centuries. But why was it concealed beneath the layers of paint on this

additional letters began to emerge beneath the grime. The more she uncovered, the more the inscription

utside the room. The footfalls were light, yet confident, their rhythmic pace suggesting someone at ease

, what do w

th dark, tousled hair that framed a face marked by a roguish charm. Where Adrian Blackwood exuded an air of quiet control and unspoken a

of mischief, yet there was something more-something tha

voice rich with amusement as he flashed a

wiped her hands on a nearby cloth bef

their fingers to brush lightly against one another before letting go. His gaze was both penetrating and assess

I hope that means he trusts

t. "Trust? My brother doesn't trust easily. But don't take it personally." He

hicker, and the smile faded from Marcus's face as he turned toward the doorway. Sienna followed his gaze, her breath ca

lm but carried an unmistakable

e, an impish grin tugging at the corner of his lip

atly, his voice betraying none of th

d. "Always so hostile. You should try smili

toward Sienna as though briefly assessing her reaction b

weight of it. Marcus, clearly enjoying the opportunity to push Adrian's

on a teasing tone, as though his presence here was little more than a game to him. He turned his atte

t than amusement. She wasn't entirely sure how to r

otsteps fading down the hallway. The door clicked shut behind him, and an oppressive silence filled the space. Sienna glanced at Adria

ed cautiously, breaking the silen

ips pressing into a thin line

discomfort with his brother went deeper than mere s

ealing just the slightest crack in his usual guarded demeanor. "Marcus

tion was quiet but pointed, a

n his features betraying the internal struggle he seemed to be waging. Fi

the painting. The conversation had shifted in an unexpected direction, and

ghtly as he studied the nearly uncovered text beneath the var

shing over the fragile surface. "More Latin," she murmured. "It's

ze hardening as though a shadow had

g in confusion. "Why? If there's something

is voice lowering to a near w

but before she could speak, the sound of raised voices drifted in from the hallway. She and Adrian exchanged

Adrian's voice came first, his words

h mockery. "Or have you forgotten that I have just as

devoid of its usual teasing edge. "You think hiding the past makes

eart skipping a beat as the weight

is," Adrian snapped, h

filled with a strange certainty. "She's un

n stood still for a moment, listening to the fading sound of Marcus's footsteps as he disappeared into

he said, his tone leavi

hest, her gaze steady as she met hi

s hair, his frustration palp

," Sienna interrupted, h

lenched, and he seemed to hesitate for a moment, weighing his words carefully. "Some t

red over the newly revealed Latin inscription, and as

s occu

uth is

she uncovered whatever dark secrets the Blackwood family wa