The landing was nowhere near big enough for two people, but Lux wasn’t going to give him the benefit of towering higher above her than he already did. He backed away, but there wasn’t anywhere for him to go but out. Bodies nearly touching, she flushed with rage.
“Getout.”
His gaze roved over her face, the mockery of a smile vanishing from his mouth. “Are you all right?”
She jabbed a finger into his chest. “No, and I have nothing more to say to you. You want to ruin your life, blacken your soul? Fine. Fall to the darkness for all I care. But don’t think I won’t be keeping track of yourexcursions. I’ll discover the mayor’s secrets on my own, and I may even report you to the Shield in the process.”
Lux didn’t think she would actually give them his name. Not unless his murderous tendencies shifted toward the innocent as well. She noted on an afterthought that perhaps he would kill her for the threat she posed. She smirked.
He could try.
“You look dreadful.” His brow furrowed as he glanced down the cramped space between them, her threats seemingly ignored.
“As well I should! I was almost swallowed by a tree,alive,saved only by the bravest crow.” A pang of guilt leaked into her chest at her unfortunate treatment of the bird. She should have been kinder. “There is a phantom in the wood doingsomethingto the dead before the trees claim them. And Ihatethat I hate my aunt’s returned!”
A look of doubtful speculation crept over Shaw’s face, and Lux pressed sharp nails into her palms to keep from slapping it away. Finally, he shook his head, wiping it clean from his features on his own, and strode down the steps.
She sputtered at his retreating back. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“I need time with this.”
She dashed after him.
Around the kitchen table, he settled into the rocking chair, running his fingers along the armrest with a thoughtful turn of his brow. “Do you like this chair?”
“Obviously not. Riselda threw mine out. As I’m about to call someone to do foryou.”
He shifted in the hard seat, unperturbed. “I see now why you hate her.”
“I never said that.”
Shaw shrugged, his attention drifting over her in a lazy manner. “Your stockings are ruined. And I think you’re bleeding. For sure, you’vebled.” She crossed her arms, and his features shadowed. “Why would you enter the forest? A death wish?”
She ground her teeth. Whirling, she strode to her bedroom. He could stay there all night for all she cared. He and hisinfuriating questions and irritating observations would make for good company well enough without her.
“Lux.” She stopped in the doorway, though she didn’t know why she had. Maybe the vein of hope threading through her name on his lips. The possibility pricked her skin. “I need your help.”
She laughed. Not a chuckle, but long, loud and deep. She crossed her arms over her middle until her muscles ached. Finally, her laugh diminishing to hiccupped giggles, she turned. He stood just feet away, one eyebrow raised. His expression almost sent her laughing anew, him being so hopelessly bewildered by her outburst. She bit it back.
“Only if you have gold with which to line my pockets.” She gestured to her ruined skirt, one pocket torn and gaping, a still-fresh wound oozing somewhere beneath.
An unexpected flash of regret swept across his face. “I’m sorry I spoke so harshly that day.” The words grated on his tongue. It would seem the prowler didn’t apologize often.
She didn’t bother with a reply, and he studied her a moment more. “Are you invited to the mayor’s birthday party?” If she expected anything to come from his mouth, this wasn’t it. And it certainly wouldn’t have been followed by, “Will you bring me with you?”
“You—” She paused, her mind attempting to right itself. “You want to go to the masquerade? As my escort?”
“If you must call it that. I can’t very well go on my own. Those of the Dark are rarely remembered, let alone invited to such things.” Lux allowed him to finish his lamenting without comment. He blew out a breath. “I want to know what the mansion hides.”
Ah, there it is. “I’d thought of the same. But, alas, I prefer to work alone.”
“Take me. I can help.”
“No, I—” But a sudden idea pushed all others aside, and gleefully, she changed her mind right then and there. “Will you let me borrow your grandfather’s journal?”
Shaw’s lips thinned, and Lux straightened her spine. She’d go alone. It didn’t bother her any. But his gaze turned calculating as if reading the turn of her thoughts, and, at last, he nodded.
“Excellent. We should hire a carriage, though. I’ll have the driver take me to your apartment, and we can ride the rest of the way together.”
