Page 159 of The Darkest Chase

He doesn’t look as sickly and tired as he normally does.

Those hard tracks of addiction aren’t as deep today in the stark lines of his face and the shadows under his eyes.

I wonder if he lays off his habit when there’s serious business? Or maybe, that little bit of human empathy I cling to whispers, he’s trying to kick it and go clean.

There I go again, having too much sympathy for the monster.

And I feel like that devil can see my sins as he stops mid-stride in the middle of closing the door and gives me a piercing look.

“Planning to take over my office, Miss Grey?”

Yikes.

It must be obvious I was snooping around when I’m standing behind his desk for no good reason, unless—oh.

Oh, right.

I smile sheepishly, holding up the wad of tissues still crumpled in my hand.

“Sorry! These spring allergies are killing me.” I make a big show of pressing the tissues to my nose and blowing until my eyes hurt.

“I see.”

I can’t read his expression as he watches me with that lizard-like stare.

Is he suspicious?

Did Joseph slip up and tell him anything?

I try not to let my nerves show as I pointedly blow my nose again, then look around until I find the wastebasket and toss the crumpled tissues in.

Surely, he wouldn’t go digging around in the trash to make sure I actually used them, right?

I dust my hands off and circle around the desk, smiling brightly.

“Anyway, are you ready to go over the final details?” I ask brightly.

The way he looks at me makes me feel like I’m caged in with a tiger. But I hold on fast to my smile and wait, wait, just hoping he can’t hear my heart pounding.

Xavier stares at me, then sighs.

“Of course. My apologies for keeping you waiting.” He pulls the door open again and steps into the hall. “We’ll discuss this in the tea room. I’m sure Joseph will be happy to bring you something for your affliction.”

My affliction.

I just love how he makes it sound like something far worse than a little hay fever.

As I follow him into the hall, I just hope I can get back to Micah before Xavier realizes that camera is missing.

Ideally, before all hell breaks loose.

16

DARK CLOSET (MICAH)

The closet.

For some reason, my mind spins as I pore over Lucas’ old folder of newspaper clippings, searching for clues about the Jacobins and Xavier. It’s all old info Lucas gathered about Montero Arrendell’s shady past during his obsession with his sister’s death.

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