Empyreal, Book 1

Chapter 15

Sarah was wandering the grand foyer of Malachi's Manor when the large oak doors suddenly swung open. Malachi strode in, his black cloak swirling around him.

"Malachi!" Sarah exclaimed, her voice echoing through the entrance hall. "I've been looking everywhere for you."

Malachi halted, his eyes narrowing as they fixed on Sarah. She approached him hesitantly, her gaze drawn to the dark red splatter on his pale hand.

"You're hurt," she said, reaching out to examine the blood. Before she could touch him,

Malachi jerked his hand away.

"Don't touch it," he commanded, his voice sharp.

Sarah shrank back, a crease forming between her brows. She had only been trying to help. Malachi was constantly pushing her away, keeping her at a distance. She wished he would open up to her, but the enigmatic man remained a mystery.

"I'm going to clean up," Malachi said curtly. "Don't worry about it."

Without another word, he swept past Sarah, his dark robes trailing behind him as he ascended the grand staircase. She watched him go as conflicting emotions swirled within her. She wanted to understand Malachi, to get close to him, but he continued to shut her out. With a sigh, Sarah turned and retreated down the hallway, the light of the moon streaming in through the tall arched windows and illuminating her lonely walk.

Sarah wandered down the long corridor, her footsteps echoing off the cold stone walls.

Malachi's odd behavior lingered in her mind, stirring her curiosity. What wasn't he telling her?

She knew so little about the brooding man who she was meant to marry.

Sarah gazed out of the frosted window, lost in thought. A creak of floorboards behind made her gasp and spin around.

Casper stood there, an apologetic look on his face. He cleared his throat, "Sorry, didn't mean to startle you."

Sarah's heartbeat quickened. "What are you doing here? Malachi told me to stay away."

She glanced around nervously. "You have to leave. Now."

Casper held up his hands. "It's okay, I just need to talk to you for a minute." He took a step closer.

Sarah backed up against the window, the cold glass pressing into her back. "No. You need to go." She tried to keep her voice firm, but it quivered.

His presence unsettled her, even as his brown eyes radiated warmth. He was forbidden fruit, she reminded herself. Whatever he wanted, she wanted no part of it.

Casper sighed, his shoulders slumping. "Alright. I'll leave you be." He turned and walked away slowly down the echoing hall.

Sarah's heartbeat slowed as his presence faded. She peered out the window once more as questions swirled through her mind.

Sarah's gaze lingered on the moonlit garden below her window. She took a deep breath, trying to steady her nerves after the unsettling encounter.

Footsteps echoed down the hall again, growing louder. She whirled around to see Casper striding back to her doorway, an apologetic look still shadowing his face.

"I'm sorry, I know I shouldn't be here." He ran a hand through his dark hair. "But I had to come back to tell you something important."

Sarah's shoulders tensed, "What do you want?"

"It's about the auction tonight." Casper moved closer, lowering his voice. "Malachi is planning to acquire a powerful moonstone, and that spells danger for us all."