Page 3 of Hidden

Another footfall, barely there. She turned toward the noise. On the left side of the entry hall, a massive staircase swept to the upper floor. She glided across the hall and began mounting the stairs, weapon drawn.

A faint light shone at the top.

Lila cleared the last step, sweeping her gun from right to left. “Hello?”

“Lila?” Her brother’s tall form came into view. He was a head taller than her, but otherwise they might have been twins, with the same dark gray eyes and pale, straight hair. A scar marked one cheek, but the imperfection heightened his otherwise flawless features. Even by the exacting standards of the light fae, Ademar was handsome.

With a sigh of relief, she holstered her gun. “Why are you lurking alone in the dark?”

“What are you doing here?” he replied, a frown pleating his brow.

She hugged him, ignoring his stiff tone. “I’m so glad to see you. It’s been ages.”

He responded with a one-armed embrace, pulling her off balance with his easy strength. “Did you come alone?”

“I did. Sala was worried. She made me promise to check on you and tell her everything. She seems to think you’re in trouble.”

He closed his eyes for a long moment, clearly exasperated. “You shouldn’t have come, and Sala should mind her own affairs. Let her be content with ruling her children’s lives.”

“Hmm.” As the eldest, Sala could be overbearing, but Lila was beginning to think her sister’s suspicions were correct. Something was wrong. “Where is everyone?”

“Those who were here when I arrived have moved on. Others have yet to reach this destination.” Ademar started down the hall, his step quick and light on the bare tiles.

She fell in behind him, just as she had when she’d been a child and he a dozen years older. To her young eyes, he’d been filled with sophistication and mystery. Now he just seemed full of—something.

“Try again,” she said dryly. “That wasn’t an answer. Why are you here?”

“I am here because Lord Farras asked me to come.”

Lila did her best to hide a grimace. Farras was a highborn courtier and cousin to the king. At times, he’d been a generous patron to her family. Nonetheless, his smile made the hair rise along her nape. “Why? What’s on his mind?”

Her brother led them to a darkened sitting room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the moonlit forest. The view was the best thing about the space. Usually, when fae built a home, it was harmonious, lush with color and detail. This house was all angles, done in shades of ice and gray, as if the builder had been depressed.

With a flick of his fingers, Ademar lit a candle lamp that sat on a low table in the center of the room. He still hadn’t explained the lack of light, but Lila would circle back to that. The fact that Lord Farras was involved trumped every other concern.

“Ademar?” she prompted.

“If Lord Farras requests my presence here, I obey. Given our sagging family fortunes in recent years, I can’t very well refuse.”

She shrugged one shoulder. Their mother complained long and bitterly about how King Elroth ignored the old alliances with House Fernblade, but Lila had never paid much attention. What could she do about it?

“I am lucky to have a patron who finds me and my interests useful,” Ademar added. “He is supporting my research connecting fae communication with modern transmission systems.”

“So then, why don’t you answer my phone calls? And Sala’s, too?”

Ademar’s only reply was a faint smile. He sank into a chair and crossed his long legs, resting one elbow on the white upholstered arm.

Annoyed, Lila circled to face her brother so she could argue properly. “Are you going to fill me in or not?”

“You can see with your own eyes that I am perfectly fine.”

Except he wasn’t. Lila could feel his anxiety from across the room. “I dragged myself out here to see if you’re okay. I want answers now.”

Ademar said nothing, but his silence was loud. He was just as stubborn as she was.

“Sala said two vampires knocked on her door. They were asking for you, and they weren’t happy. What have you got yourself into?”

He looked away, the fall of his long hair obscuring his expression.

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