Taste

opped at the grand staircase. His voice

Excuse me?" she muttered under her breath, but Damian was already walking away, his long

"Rude," she mumbled. "Not even

whelming, its sheer size daunting. The staircase spiraled upward into darknes

, feeling the cool, smooth wood beneath her

ver seen in her quiet town-or anywhere, for that matter. The elegant yet forebodi

g. "Is this even my town?" The

utside, the perpetual twilight hung heavy in the sky, an

ghts, smooth and lilting. "Mm

ing as Damian's but in a completely different way. He wore a finely tailored suit, every detail polished to perfect

fting from curiosity to intrigue. His nostrils flared subtl

ly took a step back,

oth charming and unsettling. "Well, well," he drawled, his voice rich and smooth.

ned, confused

he distance between them with langu

e stammered, her voic

the name over his tongue like a

ing it to his lips in an old-fashioned gesture. "Char

racing. His touch was cold, his lips colder

As he pulled back, Aamon's tongue flicked across his lip

a step back. "What are you doing?

his tone dripping with mock sincerity. "I couldn't resist. You see, it's been.

churned. "Scent?" s

ook so frightened, Arabella. I mean

Something about the way he looked at her-like she was bot

your distance," she war

render. "As you wish, milady. But I must admit, I wasn't e

wed. "Damian b

y a flicker of surprise. "You mean he didn't te

lla said, crossing her arms. "He didn't 'bring

ns the confusion." He took a slow step forward, his golden eyes glinting. "But

r throat dry. "What's

ice cut through the room, sharp and

case, his expression colder than ever. His golden

" he said, his tone mocking. "I was just in

ightened. "Lea

a a mock bow. "Until we meet again, milady." With that, he disappea

ian, her heart still r

said flatly. "And som

e didn't seem danger

range is dangerous here, Ar

o, but you're not telling me anything about this place. What

bridge of his nose. "You're

frustration. "I'm not ready? That's not your dec

stay alive, which means listening to me. If you want answers

ger bubbling in her chest. "You

ning on his heel. "Come with m

her mind racing with questions

ated by the dim light of the chandeliers. Damian pushed it open, revealing a

ours for now,"

ing the luxurious space. Despite her un

ietly, though her tone w

oment, his cold demeanor softened, and he seemed

d finally. "Yo

he closed the door, leav

n. The events of the day swirled in her mind-Damian, Aamo

elf into?" she whispere

but one thing was certain-