Page 75 of Unveiled

But Semyon isn’t to blame.

I have to trust him. Trust that what Semyon said about Eli is true—that we can find him, that we can bring him back. But even if we do…

What happens next? Eli has made terrible decisions. He’s dangerous. But he’s my brother.

I throw off the covers when my stomach growls. Dinner was a long time ago.

I’m not much of a nighttime eater, but right now, I’m ravenous.

I slide into a fluffy pair of slippers and walk out of the bedroom, headed to the kitchen. I know he has to have something to eat here, even though I've barely moved in. I remember what Rafail said earlier about tracking his macros and protein. Makes sense.

I stop at Stefan's room, and when I peek in, he is still dead asleep. But no Semyon.

Has he left? Was I so dead to the world I didn’t hear a thing? Apparently so.

I make it down to the kitchen and do a quick perusal of the cabinets. While I do find cases of protein shakes—ready-made—and large jugs of protein powder, I also find a few things I didn’t expect to see: packages of cookies, unopened. Cheesy crackers, unopened. Several cases of soda pop, all unopened. Foil-wrapped chocolates.

I smile to myself and look around the small pantry. Did he buy this for my brother and me?

Maybe one of his sisters did.

I open the fridge next and find it well stocked with plenty of food. I make myself a quick sandwich, put it on a little plate, and sit in the tiny kitchen nook. This is a large room, and beautiful, but it doesn’t look like it gets much use.

When my appetite is sated, I want to find my husband.

My husband. I’m not used to calling him that yet or even thinking of him as that, but I can’t help it. A part of me kind of likes it. Younger me would've clicked her heels for joy.

I load my dish into the dishwasher, brushing stray crumbs into the trash bin and wiping down the counter. I make sure not to leave a mess—I know Semyon appreciates order. I like that about him, though I’m sure there will be a day when his perfectionism drives me up the wall. For now, it gives me a strange sense of calm. The clean, uncluttered counters, the bright glow of the meticulously organized fridge, the subtle scent of fresh linen in the air… it all carries an understated luxury that makes me feel at ease. Makes me feel safe.

I don’t find him in the living room or in the study or library—whatever that room is. I half expect that behind a closed door, I’m going to find a dark secret, a hidden passageway, someone in chains, or a map of underground networks—not because this place necessarily has an air of mystique, but because of its largeness, in a way that seems to encapsulate something more than what appears to be.

"Can't sleep?"

I nearly scream and jump as I turn around to find Semyon sitting at a table in the corner of one of the large rooms.

"You scared me."

"You scaredme."

Of course he looks completely unperturbed, which means that scaring him maybe—maybe—bumped his heartbeat up a notch.

"I was hungry."

“Did you find something to eat?" he asks.

I nod. We don’t speak again. He looks down at the chessboard in front of him and makes a move on one side. After a moment of contemplation, he makes a move on the other side as well.

Is he playing chess against himself? Why does that somehow feel symbolic?

I wonder if my presence is welcome, but I’m too shy to ask. So instead, I turn as if I’m about to walk away, just to see what he’ll do.

"Leaving so soon?" I smile.

There’s something in the tone of his voice that reminds me of our childhood—reminds me who he was. The lonely boy who was forced into adulthood way too soon.

"I didn’t want to bother you."

"You’re not bothering me."

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