Page 31 of The Unseen Hour

“Get under the blankets,” the Shade urged me, steering me toward the cot.

I’d gone a few steps when my survival instincts kicked in, along with the realization that I was very much alone and unchaperoned, with a man I didn’t know in the slightest, being led to a bed.

“I can’t do that! I don’t know who you are, or even what you are. I don’t know where I am, but I am not putting myself in a compromising position.” Technically, I was already in a compromising position, but this was a chance to gain back some level of control.

I stamped a foot, crossing my arms over my chest and doing my best imitation of Mother when she was giving an order she expected to have followed. Inside, though, I was trembling.

I was standing in front of a man, and the Shade was certainly a man, while wearing my brother’s riding clothes, of all things. My reputation would have been irreparable if anyone in Emrys had seen us.

Blasted ghosts, what must the Head Shade think of me? What would anyone else think?

I might not like the constraints of Emrys, but I’d done my best to abide by them enough that I didn’t risk my family’s reputation. It could be toppled along with my own if I wasn’t careful.

The Shade ran one hand through the back of his brown hair, tousling it.

“I’m not used to guests. I didn’t consider how it might come across. I just wanted to keep you away from Charon and prevent you from freezing to death.”

His body language was comforting as he created more distance between us, giving me an open path to the door if I wanted to run.

“This was just supposed to be a rescue mission,” I whispered, staring between the Head Shade and the door. “I didn’t mean to create a mess for anyone else.”

If Charon really would be upset to find me here, it was likely that I had put my host in a poor position as well.

“We’ll get to all that, but for now, why don’t you warm up?”

The Head Shade didn’t move, and I plopped down onto the cot. Only then did he step forward, reaching over me to pull a thick blanket around my shoulders.

After a few moments, the warmth began returning to my limbs. I was so cold that the process felt painful.

Soon enough though, the tingling passed, and comfort took its place.

“Thank you.”

He nodded in response, moving to the single wooden chair in the small cottage and sitting down.

Maybe he felt more secure since I no longer looked like I might run. He was in just as uncertain waters as I, alone with a stranger.

It was time to rectify that particular issue.

“I am Celia Hipnosi, daughter of Marquess Calden Hipnosi and Marchioness Vinia Hipnosi. My eldest brother, Ambrose, currently holds the title of Marquess. I traveled here from Fox Haven.” If he was from Emrys he’d probably recognize the name.

“Fox Haven,” he murmured.

“You know it?”

The Shade dipped his chin toward me. His brown hair had glints of bronze, and I wondered if it was as soft as it looked. It was also longer than what was currently fashionable.

I stared at him for a moment, my cheeks growing warm when he met my gaze, and I noted how long I’d been looking. I cleared my throat, trying to force my features into an expression of nonchalance.

“Now then, who are you? Are you a god, like Charon?”

He took a deep breath and let out a prolonged sigh.

“I’ve been Head Shade for so long, I can’t even remember the last time someone asked me about myself. I’m no god, just another person from Emrys who made it down here alive. I was Taken during the very first hour, and I’ve been Head Shade for nearly a century. Before that, I was Orion Holmes.”

CHAPTER 17

“You’re one of the doomed Holmes brothers?” I shouted, then clapped a hand over my mouth, aware how rude the reaction had been.