Page 24 of Bloodgrove

Mr. Arcos climbed until they stood nearly eye to eye, three steps between them. “I hoped you had abandoned the idea after seeing what happened to your father. Why should it be any different for you? Do you think you are stronger than he was?”

Elodie’s upper lip curled with contempt. “And you are? Powerful enough? Steadfast enough?”

“I have to be. If the past ten years have shown me anything—” Mr. Arcos braced a hand against the stone railing of the grand staircase and looked up at Elodie, almost pleading.

But she turned her face away and raised her chin. “You have always underestimated me.”

“Never. But you have already lost so much in the fight for that seat…”

“Do not speak to me of loss while you stand here taking away everything I have fought for!” Something shifted in her expression. Her brows drew together, and Will might almost have called it concern as she studied the cuts on Mr. Arcos’s face. “You should have those wounds tended to.”

Mr. Arcos searched her eyes for something, but at last he shook his head and turned away. That was when he noticed Will, and a shadow crossed his face.

“Were you spying on us?”

“You are loud enough that it hardly qualifies as spying.” Will had no choice but to face them, so he leaned against the balustrade with deliberate ease.

“Leave,” Mr. Arcos snapped. At a nearly imperceptible signal from his fingers, the dogs obediently came to his side.

“I work and live here.” Will’s gaze darted briefly toward Elodie to make certain his tone was appropriate. It was a mistake. Mr. Arcos caught the glance at once, and in the next moment, he was beside Elodie.

“What do you want with him? Why did you not rent him rooms like any normal person?” he asked with sudden intensity, and Will understood something all at once: Mr. Arcos had never been interested in him. He had only wanted to discover who the man was who held Elodie’s attention. Who slept beneath the same roof as she did. Who might, perhaps, be a rival.

Will could not suppress the spark of disappointment and anger. He was certain Mr. Arcos had noticed his interest and used it.

“The house is large enough. And it is pleasant not to be alone.” Elodie smiled innocently, an expression that did not suit her at all.

“You are sleeping with him.” This time, Mr. Arcos took the time to study Will more closely. “He looks as though he has only just climbed out of bed—and thoroughly satisfied.” His eyes narrowed.

Embarrassed, Will pushed the hair from his face, long, tangled strands catching between his fingers. He had not changed since their conversation that morning. He must look dreadful, still in his nightshirt and dressing gown in the middle of the afternoon.

Elodie let her cool gaze travel over Arcos. “It is time for you to leave, before I find enough of your blood on my floor to force you out.”

With a growl his dogs instinctively echoed, Mr. Arcos strode toward the gate. “You will pay for this!” he called over his shoulder.

“I expect to!”

Elodie swept triumphantly up the stairs, but Will waited with his arms crossed.

“What?” she asked, stopping in front of him.

“Keep me out of your rivalry,” he said calmly. “I am beginning to understand that the rules of your games are beyond me, and that my safety is not among them. I am your employee, someone you pay to do a job, and that job ends at the door to this ballroom.”

Elodie studied him. “I asked you to help me usher in a new age, and I thought you were prepared to take unconventional paths to achieve it. Do you not trust me? Was I mistaken?”

“Being manipulated, bringing monsters back to life, and gaining a reputation as your lover were not part of our agreement.”

“I told you not to leave your room, and I warned you that I could not protect you outside this house.” She raised her chin defiantly. “And being my lover would be an honor.”

Before Will could answer, she raised a hand. “Assuming you meant what you said, we have been invited out tomorrow. As a first step, I will introduce you into society in a smaller setting, among friends.”

“No more games.”

But Elodie was already sweeping away, leaving Will behind with his head spinning, unsure why he once again came away the loser in their argument.

Chapter 13

Outside the gates of her friend’s townhouse, Elodie and Will paused once more to straighten his tie, collar, and pocket square.