Page 12 of Veiled Yearning

I’m not so sure about that. In trying to protect myself, have I doomed others to the same fate I barely escaped from?

Tears are pressing at the back of my eyes, but there’s no way I’m crying in front of Gavril. So I push myself to my feet and stare intently into the flames while I say, “I’m going to shower and go to bed. We can leave first thing in the morning.”

He looks up at me, worry etched into his features. “Chiara…”

Now my nose is prickling, too. “It’s fine. Make yourself comfortable. There’s blood in the fridge, and there’s a warmer in the kitchen. Take what you want. I just—”

The tears are coming on fast, accompanied by the familiar choking sensation that precedes a panic attack.

So I duck my head and speed toward the short hallway that leads to my bedroom, calling over my shoulder, “I’ll see you in the morning.”

And only when my bedroom door is closed do I let myself go. Huddled on my bed, face pressed into my pillow to muffle my cries, I give in to the terrifying fear that once I leave this cabin, I’ll never come back.

5

Something is Happening

GAVRIL

It’s been hours since Chiara retreated to her bedroom, and I still feel guilty.

Since I got here, it seems like I’ve done everything wrong.

Showing her the vision, bringing back memories of her own captivity.

Touching her when I should have known better, especially given what she went through.

Failing miserably at reassuring her—even as she agreed to help us, there was fear in her eyes and her hands were shaking.

And bringing up trivia? Why did I mention that?

For all my skills in battle, I’m terrible when it comes to dealing with women.

We should have had Alex come. After everything that happened with Jules, both before her transition, and after, he would be gentle with Chiara. And if Jules came with Alex, she’d know how to make Chiara feel comfortable.

But no, I insisted on coming and while I accomplished what I came for; I don’t feel very good about it.

So I’ve been sitting here, staring into the fire, flipping aimlessly through books while I wait to get tired enough to drift off to sleep. And now that I’ve been in Chiara’s cabin for a while, I can understand why she likes it so much. Nothing like my huge house in Manchester, this place is comforting. Warm. Filled with color and art and hundreds of books, it’s clear Chiara has spent a long time making this place her home.

Maybe I should buy a cabin in the mountains, once this thing with the Custodians is over. A place where I can go in the winter, maybe do some cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. And in the summer, maybe try out that hiking Alex and Jules seem to like so much.

Once Nicolas has been defeated—I won’t consider the alternative—I’ll have extra time. It might be a good opportunity to find a new hobby, like—

A terrified scream pierces the quiet.

Then another.

Chiara!

Did someone find us here?

How?

I know I wasn’t followed.

Is she being hurt? Taken?

I promised her.

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