Page 8 of Entranced By the Immortal

“What happened?” I repeated, clearing my throat.

Memories instantly sprung to mind, a quick succession of images that had plagued me for years, even though I did my best to ignore them, to forget them. This life of isolation was my punishment for chasing happiness when I should have known better.

There was no true happiness for the damned.

“A change was needed,” I said, swallowing down the nostalgia that made my throat tight. “One that, unfortunately, meant the end of the manor’s entertainment era.”

I tugged at the hem of my coat just as the melody from the grand piano floated down the hall. It was Edith’s favorite pastime, banging away at those infernal keys, and while she’d gotten impressively good over the last decade, I desperately wished she’d learn some new songs. The same handful got old quickly.

“Come, let me show you more of the manor,” I said, turning to lead the way up the stairs. “I’m sure you have more questions, and if not, you will soon.”

He hesitated for a moment, but then his footsteps followed along behind mine. Still a little surprised he hadn’t run when my back was turned, I fought a smirk at how easily he obeyed. He was playing right into my hand like clay, easily manipulated and molded.

Maybe he didn’t need to die…

The thought surprised me, as I’d been intent on killing him up until this very moment, eager to bleed every last drop of blood from him. It was a silly thought to keep a human around, especially considering what happened last time, but I didn’t hate the idea. In fact, the possibilities were already playing out in my mind as we stepped into the library and I whirled around to see the look on Ever’s face.

“Impressive, isn’t it?” I gestured to the ceiling-high shelves laden with thousands of books. I’d read them all at least twice, memorizing the words and stories on their ancient pages. I spent a lot of time in this room thinking, wasting the endless amount of time granted to me by my affliction. It was one of the only places I never tired of.

“It’s amazing.” His pulse kicked up as a smile found his face, and I spouted some of the useless facts about the library I used to recite to impress the party guests. They were memorized, well-practiced, empty words, but they made his eyes light up nevertheless. I hated how much I enjoyed the life in them.

Ever was a breath of fresh air to this old corpse of a house, moving like a refreshing breeze, brightening every dull room that had lost its luster. I both loved and hated the feeling, resenting him for the way he warmed my cold flesh and piqued my interest.

I carried on, showing him what remained upstairs before leading him back to the ground level. I hardly glanced at the opulent rooms, bored with their monotony. I watched him instead, reveling in his interest. He didn’t just come to find the manor, he came toseeit, admiring every room, every secret corner.

His eagerness annoyed me. Itexcitedme. It stirred long-dead feelings and made me miss what my life used to be, back before I shunned everyone outside the mansion and reserved myself toa lonely life with my few servants.Two of which are now dead, I reminded myself.

Finally, when we’d seen every room in the manor—some more than once—we returned to the entryway. I whirled to face him. He stopped short, nearly running into me, and I noted the jump in his heartbeat.

Being close to me made him nervous, but I couldn’t blame him. Even the bravest of men paled in the presence of a true predator.

“Everything is to your liking, then?” I asked, daring to pick a piece of lint off his shoulder. His breath faltered.

“It’s incredible, the most beautiful home I’ve ever seen,” he said. “Thank you for showing me around.”

“Of course.” I nodded slightly, a grin tugging at my lips. “I wanted to make sure you were comfortable in your new home.”

Silence swallowed us, the only sound being Ever’s heart slamming against his ribs. He opened his mouth to speak, a furrow forming between his dark brows. “I-I don’t understand. My new home?”

“That’s correct.” I laid a hand on his shoulder, squeezing the tense muscle just enough to convey my seriousness. “I said you’d pay for slaughtering my servants, but I failed to say how. You see, you’re going to take their place.”

CHAPTER 5

EVER

Ilaughed. What else was I supposed to do?

This had to be a joke, a gimmick set up by Lord Dupont and his servants to entertain the townspeople who came snooping. He’d give them a tour and scare them a little as punishment for invading his privacy, but…

Images of the hooded figures in the woods came to mind.What about the two people I shot?

Their act might have been fake, but the bullets were not.

My mind spun, and I waited for Corvin’s calm demeanor to crack, but it didn't. His expression showed nothing but utmost sincerity.

I laughed again, this time less enthusiastically. “You're joking, right? You don't really think I'm going to stay here and be your servant, do you? The only place I'm liable to go is jail for murder at this point…”

“No one will miss them.” Corvin shook his head and waved a hand dismissively. “No one will even look for them. As far as anyone outside the manor is concerned, you shot no one.”

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