Taste

mysterious castle, Damian's cold demeanor, Aamon's unsettling charm, and the heavy silence that hung over everything. But most of all

ful sleep. The strange fog, the shadows of the forest,

the room was empty, save for the crackling fireplace casting long shadows on

diately-why was it still dark? She glanced at the ornate

rtain, revealing the same twilight sky she'd seen when she first arrived. It wasn't night, but it wasn't

hispered, her vo

s, drawn to a figure moving across the manicured lawn below. It was a woman, her pale dress fluttering l

aying, but the way Aamon carried himself was casual, almost playful. He reached o

the woman. She was tall and elegant, her long black hair cascading down her ba

t before Arabella could think further,

oseful strides, his expression stern. He said something to Aamon, his voice low but sharp. Aamon responded with a ca

gh she couldn't imagine why. After another tense moment, he turned on his heel and stalked off,

he interaction, instead turning her head slowly, as if sensing somethin

e woman's gaze was piercing, almost as if she knew Arabella had been watching the entire tim

back from the wind

r further. Arabella hesitated b

n," came th

e crossed the room and opened the door. Damian sto

he said, his tone cl

ed. "Why? Wher

id, his patience clearly wea

to the hallway. She trailed behind Damian as he led her down the grand staircase and through a series of win

n lounged on a chaise near the fireplace, a glass o

ugh his golden eyes held a teasing glint.

said sharply, c

What does that mean

could. "It means exactly what it sounds like, milad

voice rose in disbelie

wine. "Oh, you'd be surprised how ma

o Arabella, his expression unreadable. "There are things you don't understand

. "You keep saying this place is da

th will only make you more of a target. And righ

r arms. "What's tha

ew voice cut in from the doorwa

oorway. Up close, she was even more striking, her features sharp and

ian said, his

"You don't belong here," she said bluntly, her gaze locked o

t know," she said honestly. "I

a faint smile. "Then you're either very luck

, stepping between Selene an

sfy my curiosity," she said smoothly. Her eyes flicked to Aamon

uldn't help but feel that Selene'

t again, Arabella turned

eed to worry about,

ld me I don't belong here, which, by the way, is s

e's got a point, brother. Maybe i

as ever. "All you need to know is that this place is not what it seems. The people here, myself inc

You're asking me to trust you when you won't even tell me th

emotion she couldn't quite place. But it was gone as q

t you," he said quietly, "I

fore she could respond, Damian turned and

ing the tense silence. "T

m a glare. "You'

d. "Oh, I'm sure I'll grow

d spinning with questions she was