Page 68 of Obsession

He straightens, brow wrinkling. “What should I say?”

“I don’t know. Anything.”

“Anything?” he repeats skeptically.

“Yes, just go out there and talk to him!” I hiss. I’m trying not to raise my voice, but I’m too panicked and he’s pushing my patience.

“You want to walk by without him noticing,” Aris says with realization. “You want me to be a distraction.”

Apparently, he isn’t entirely dumb now.

I nod, and he purses his lips, pauses for a single moment, then strides into the room. His sudden action surprises me, and I hug the wall with wide eyes as Silva takes note of Aris’ presence and jumps to his feet.

“Dark One!” he cries. “How may I serve you?”

I don’t move, heart racing in my chest. Will Aris give me away? Will he say something to make Silva suspicious?

“Yes, to serve me… I would like something from the farthest corner of this place,” Aris replies.

There is a pause. It’s an odd request, to be sure, but Silva knows better than to question Aris.

“Of course,” Silva says with a short bow, before taking a step toward the hall I’m in.

I shrink against the wall, mentally chanting curses as I wait to be discovered.

“No,” Aris speaks suddenly. “Not that way.”

My eyes shut in relief as I clutch my chest. My heart is going to give out from stress one day.

After a breath, I risk peeking out again, seeing that Silva has turned back to Aris. Though now visibly puzzled, he, again, does not question his master. He just nods and takes a path adjacent to mine.

I wait a moment before stepping out of the shadows, facing Aris’ self-satisfied grin. “I made him leave. That was what you wanted,” he says proudly.

“You did well,” I mutter, distracted. That takes care of Silva, but how am I going to get rid of Aris?

Brushing past him, I make my way to the front door. Luckily, no one is standing guard, and we duck outside without issue.

“Where are we going?” Aris asks again as I walk to the woods paralleling the main road. The grass squishes under our weight, fresh mud jumping on my bare legs.

“Away from here,” I reply. Truth be told, I don’t have an actual answer; I have no idea what I’m doing. All that I know is that I need to get away.

“Why?”

I don’t respond until we’re under tree cover, swallowed by shadows. The night is on the cooler side, making me regret storming out in just a nightgown, but there weren’t many other options.

“Look,” I say, some irritation leaking into my tone. “You’re supposed to stay there. And I’m supposed to get away from there. You get it?”

“Why, though?”

I come to a stop, and Aris does as well. I cross my arms over my chest, trying not to wince at the burn of my ribs, and Aris mimics the movement. I almost roll my eyes, certain he’s mocking me now, but his expression is earnest.

“Why what?” I huff.

“Why do I have to stay in that place?” He pauses, then asks, “And who was that man?”

“That’s… he’s your servant.”

“Servant?”

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