Page 44 of Every Shade of Shadow

A toy.

His to do with as he wishes.

CHAPTER TEN

It’s a strange day at Lumina. I eventually summon the energy to eat, but even then, all I can do is nibble and peck.

I return to my room and lie there thinking.

Lily and I have pretty good chemistry, I don’t even mind Ava, but I appreciate my privacy—always have.

I have no doubt they suspect something between Darkwood and me, but I’d rather not confirm it.

When seven o’clock draws near, I rummage through my duffel for what to wear, but I needn’t bother, an ankle-long indigo dress and matching heels materializing on my bed.

I pick up the dress and let the glossy fabric flow through my fingers. It’s even less of a surprise that it fits me perfectly.

Dressed, I sit on the edge of the bed and wait, my head refusing to switch off. Because that girl, this Stephanie… That could have been me. I’ve been fucking around with Shadowcraft. I’ve broken the rules. If Lily’s theory is correct, that makes me a prime candidate, so what made Stephanie a better mark than me?

Or maybe there’s nothing to this at all, that she was selected by random, that the killing was opportunistic, perhaps, which puts my little night explorations into new perspective.

There’s a sudden tugging sensation, like I’m freefalling from the world’s tallest fucking tower.

A pressure behind my eyes, growing until it’s almost unbearable, and then it’s done.

I let the following nausea pass and fold my shoulders back.

He’s teleported me to his chambers, as promised, but there are changes.

Deep-blue curtains cover the windows. More light. More candles.

There’s a table set in front of me laden with food—elaborate dishes fanned out and mixed aromas filling the air. My stomach, only a moment ago so distressed by the teleportation, growls with hunger.

And at the end of the table is Darkwood in a sable suit and beige vest—the latter quite at odds with his usual Addams Family attire, but it works. An explosion of warmth in my core reminds me I’m once again bare below.

He pushes himself back and stands, dragging his chair behind himself until he’s right beside me. He places his chair next to mine. “Welcome, my pet,” he says.

That usual anxiety I feel in his presence is amplified by his proximity. I wet my lips before speaking. “This looks wonderful.”

He looks over the food. “Aphrodisiacs from the forest.” He points. “Roast wild chicken infused with ginseng, maca, and honey-roasted pears, a yohimbe-bark stew, tribulus terrestris salad…and here.” He picks up a bottle just past my plate, filling a goblet to my left. “Mulled wine with spices and damiana leaves.”

“Thank you.”

“Please,” he says, gesturing to the table, oddly cordial tonight, “how do they say it inanis? Dig in?”

It’s an order more than a suggestion, but I have no problem filling my plate.

The food, however the fuck it appeared here, is incredible. The mix of flavors, foreign and familiar, threatens to turn me into something of a poor dinner guest, but I hold my composure while I savor the stew, intermittingly sipping on the wine, which is warm with a floral, herbal undertone. It’s a long way from the usual dollar-bin TV dinners and crackers I’ve been eating back home.

Darkwood watches me silently, eating and making barely a noise doing so.

He observes me when we’ve finished. “How do you feel?”

The aphrodisiacs have clearly worked, my poor sex already slick. “I think I’m ready for my next lesson, Professor.”

A short laugh. “Ah, my ignorant lamb. So eager, but there will be no lesson tonight.”

I almost protest, instead pursing my lips and looking away from him, crossing my legs under the table. I hate they will stay closed for the remainder of the night.

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