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Too private to be judged.

I headed back to my room, tidied my bed and straightened my room. Time seemed to slow. Nerves set in. The sound of an engine reached me. I moved to the window finding the familiar black sedan pull around to the front of the house and disappear.

Alaric was leaving.

Heading back into the city.

Fragments of last night rose.

Headlights and wet footprints. Men who wanted something. I released the curtains, letting them fall back into place and felt the ache grow. I should be excited Vivienne was coming. Hours ago I wanted out, didn’t I? But now that that thought felt different. Not defiance… betrayal.

There were no clocks in my room. No way to tell the time.

So I left my bedroom, taking the Phantom with me.

But I couldn’t concentrate. The ticking of the clock sounded more like a countdown than anything else. I heard the car before the soft chime came. Car doors thudded. Two of them. I rose, placing my book down on the seat as the front door opened.

“This way, please.” Mrs. Reid’s voice drifted from the front door.

Then they were inside.

I knew Vivienne instantly. But the heavier footsteps beside her stopped me cold. Slow. Grounded. Not London.

No.

“Guild.” I said as he stepped through the doorway.

His gaze scanned the library, then settled on me. Vivienne followed. Her smile was fast. Too fast. She did the same, finding every corner and shelf in the expansive library before returning to me.

“There you are.” She crossed the space toward me.

I met her halfway, wrapping my arms around her.

“God, I’ve been so worried.” She squeezed me hard against her, then pulled away, staring deep into my eyes. “How are you?”

“I’m good.” I laughed and tried to breathe.

“No. Really. How are you?”

My smile faltered. That tendril of fear wrapped around something inside me. Vivienne’s eyes narrowed slightly. Not convinced.

“Really?” She glanced at the doorway to Alaric’s study. “Where is he… Alaric?”

“Out.” I answered, glancing over her shoulder to Guild. “I think he wanted to give us some space.”

“He say that?” Guild muttered.

“No. Not in so many words.”

He just gave a nod as though he knew better.

“Miss.” Mrs. Reid called from the doorway. “I’ve set your morning tea out in the sitting room. Please let me know if there’s anything else you might need.”

I smiled, holding her gaze as though it was a life raft I desperately needed. “Thank you, Mrs. Reid.”

Vivienne scowled, moving closer as though she was protecting me with her life.

Mrs. Reid noticed, giving a slow, careful nod, then disappeared.