Page 78 of A Wild Darkness

He brings up an important question. One I was thinking about on the silent flight out here, but as the ideas flowed, I thought about Annabel and how she’s an alter ego. She’s a dangerous vixen—a nightmare in heels.

I blow out a breath, feeling surprisingly nervous about sharing with him the character traits I’ve come up with for Annabel Lee.

“Uh, well, I was thinking I’d be like some sort of sexy nightmare in heels?” My voice comes out low, lacking confidence. And it’s completely unlike me.

Sebastian smirks. “That checks out.”

I huff out a laugh to mask those stupid tiny flutters that are back.

“And how do you trap and kill your victims?” he presses for a more in-depth description.

I decide to let him in a little and give him the only other thing I was envisioning. “Annabel likes to seduce her victims, then play with them a little before stabbing them in the chest.”

“Define play.”

My hands sweat from being put on the spot because what if the Society also wants the gory details? Am I prepared for that?

“Some things will remain private to my process,” I answer more self-assuredly. “Or if I can’t come up with anything, I’ll play it off with our phrase, ‘the dead have heard enough,’ then you can step it.”

Sebastian’s smile grows from humor to appreciation. “Fair enough. I think that will shut them up quickly.”

I toy back and forth with my necklace. “Good.”

“I think it’s time to head down there.” Sebastian steps into me, his face only inches from mine. “Ready?”

I swallow hard and answer with conviction, even though my bones buzz with nerves. “As ready as I can be.”

“Do not leave my side,” Sebastian commands. “Not once.”

“I won’t.”

He turns on his heels and bounds toward the door, but not before grabbing my hand. He does it so naturally, and it feels good.

As Sebastian and I head into the hallway in search of the barrel room, my stomach is in knots. The anticipation of what the night has in store for us is getting easier in some ways compared to the other events, but harder in others because the more involved we become with the Society, the riskier things get. I replay possibilities of Annabel’s story in my mind multiple times, but I’m learning that I perform best when put on the spot.

Then I recall Sebastian never discussed the Dark Prince’s background or killing style with me. “What about the Dark Prince?”

“Did you forget what I am?” He shoots me a glance from the side. “I don’t need to pretend to be a serial killer, Stevie.” The tone of his voice grows deeper with each word, sending chills up my spine. “I am one.”

My hand automatically tightens around his. I’m not sure if it’s from the reminder of his nighttime activities or from the unsettling nature of how his demeanor changed so quickly.

“Yes, I know,” I say. “Just wasn’t sure if you would change up your MO or not.”

“No, my method of operating will not change.”

We attempt to casually stroll around the main level of the chateau—passing what appears to be a dated drawing room, study, and conservatory—although there’s an urgency in our footing. My eyes scan the ornate space, taking in the high tray ceilings and monochromatic textures.

“Why does this place remind me of a life-size version of the game Clue, but with a French twist?” Sebastian mutters as we approach a sign that states Barrel Room with an arrow pointing toward two large wooden doors, with one left ajar, inviting us into the dungeon.

I chuckle quietly into the palm of my hand. “It totally does.”

“But the difference here is that we know who all the killers are.”

We share another quick chuckle before we approach the doors. “I guess this is it?”

Sebastian steps in front of me, blocking me from the entrance. “Follow behind me.”

I do as he says, letting him lead me into a chilled stone room. As we round the corner, I spot a group of men and one woman sitting around a distressed wooden table.